Licensed in Texas
U.S. District Court
Southern District of Texas
FOUNDER & ATTORNEY
Daniel Rodriguez
Daniel Rodriguez is the founding attorney of Castlerod Criminal Defense, P.L.L.C. A Rio Grande Valley native, Daniel graduated summa cum laude from South Texas College of Law Houston, ranking among the top of his class and serving as an active member of the nationally recognized South Texas Mock Trial team.
Daniel earned both a Bachelor and Master of Science in Criminal Justice from the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley. During graduate school, he gained hands-on experience in criminal defense while working as a paralegal at the Law Office of Jose A. Ramirez, PLLC.
At South Texas, Daniel distinguished himself with multiple CALI Excellence Awards for earning the highest grades in courses such as Criminal Law, Legal Research & Writing, and Texas Trial & Appellate Procedure, among others. He also completed the Texas Advocacy Concentration, earning a certificate recognizing his training in trial advocacy and courtroom skills.
He further sharpened those skills through advanced coursework in Criminal Litigation Drafting and participation in the Criminal Defense Clinic with the Harris County Public Defender's Office. His legal experience also includes a judicial internship at the Texas First Court of Appeals under Justice Sarah Beth Landau, where he contributed legal research and writing in both criminal and civil matters.
Daniel is licensed to practice throughout Texas and is also admitted to the United States District Court for the Southern District of Texas.
As a practicing criminal defense attorney, Daniel has represented clients on offenses ranging from Class B misdemeanors to first-degree felonies throughout Harris and the surrounding counties.
He has tried misdemeanor and felony cases to verdict, defended clients in revocation and adjudication proceedings, and litigated pretrial motions including motions to suppress and applications for writs of habeas corpus.
He has secured no-bills, dismissals, and diversionary outcomes through grand jury presentations and mitigation, and he regularly structures resolutions around the collateral consequences his clients face, including immigration and professional licensing.
Beyond his own practice, Daniel remains involved with South Texas as a volunteer instructor for Trial Advocacy, Evidentiary Foundations, and Expert Testimony, as well as a guest judge for mock trial competitions including the South Texas Mock Trial Challenge.
He is committed to mentoring future advocates and strengthening the next generation of trial lawyers.
Daniel is a tenacious advocate who believes that effective representation begins with communication, ensuring that his clients understand their options and never feel left behind by the process. He approaches each case with the diligence, integrity, and commitment to justice that his clients deserve.