Following a candidate forum and debate, the Hamilton County Fraternal Order of Police, Lodge 103 voted to endorse attorney and former Indiana State Trooper Mike Casati for Judge of Hamilton Superior 1 in the May 8 primary election.
Casati
“I am honored by the FOP endorsement. Hamilton County’s residents have been served long and honorably by retiring Judge Steven Nation, and it’s important that they elect a successor who will bring extensive broad experience and prudent judgment to the bench,” explained Casati. “This court handles a diverse caseload, including a substantial number of major felony criminal and family law cases.” He added, “For more than 23 years, I’ve served the state and the community as a police officer, an Indiana State Trooper, a deputy prosecutor and a city plan commissioner. I’ve practiced law in Hamilton County for 25 years, earning a reputation for integrity and professionalism.”
Casati began his legal career as a deputy prosecuting attorney in 1992. The following year, Judge Nation, who was then the Hamilton County Prosecutor, hired Casati as a deputy. While serving in that role over the next five years, Casati prosecuted a wide range of criminal cases, from misdemeanors and drunk-driving cases, to major felonies including sex crimes, child molestation, arson and murder. Prior to becoming an attorney, Casati had worked as a police officer and served for 10 years as an Indiana State Trooper, including work as a drug enforcement investigator.
He has been in private practice in Hamilton County since 1998, currently operating his practice, Casati Law, LLC. Casati has litigated a broad range of family law, criminal and civil cases, along with family mediation, including substantial bench and jury trial experience. He is a Certified Family Law Specialist and Registered Domestic Relations Mediator, and he has been recognized as a Super Lawyer every year since 2012. He has over the years served many times, at the request of presiding judges, as judge pro tem in the Hamilton Circuit and Superior Courts.
Casati is a graduate of the Indiana University McKinney School of Law and the Indiana University Police and the Indiana State Police Academies. He serves on the Indiana State Bar Association’s Family Law Certification Board, has been an assistant scoutmaster for the Boy Scouts, and a coach and assistant coach for various Carmel Dads’ Club teams. He and his wife, Amy, have lived in Hamilton County for 21 years and have three children.