Governor Whitmer Header

*FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE* 

May 15, 2025 

Contact: [email protected] 

 

*Gov. Whitmer Makes Appointments to the Bench* 

 

*LANSING, Mich. *—Today, Governor Gretchen Whitmer announced the appointments of *Judge A**liyah Sabree* and *Nicole Castka *to the Third Circuit Court in* Wayne County*.  

 

“Today, I am proud to appoint Judge Sabree and Nicole to the bench,” said *Governor Whitmer*. “Both of these skilled legal professionals bring years of experience to their new roles, where I am confident they will serve the people admirably and uphold the rule of law.” 

 

*Third Circuit Court– Wayne County* 

 

Honorable Aliyah Sabree currently serves as chief judge pro tem at the 36th District Court in Detroit, where she has served since her appointment to the bench in 2017. Prior to serving on the bench, Judge Sabree worked as an associate general counsel at the Detroit Water and Sewage Department, as a liaison to the City Council at the Detroit Mayor’s Office, and as an Assistant Wayne County Prosecutor.  

 

Hon. Aliyah Sabree earned her Juris Doctor from Michigan State University College of Law and holds a Bachelor of Science in biology from Youngstown State University. 

 

“It is with extreme gratitude that I accept Governor Whitmer’s appointment to the Third Circuit Court bench,” said Judge Sabree. “I look forward to serving the Wayne County community with dedication and integrity.” 

 

This appointment was made to fill a partial term following Judge Charles Hegarty’s decision to vacate this seat. Judge Sabree’s term will commence on June 9, 2025, and expire at twelve o’clock noon on January 1*, *2027. 

 

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*3rd Circuit Court – Wayne County* 

 

Nicole Castka is a sole practitioner focused on criminal defense at the Law Office of Nicole L. Castka, PLLC., in Detroit, which she founded in 2003. Castka is a member of the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, the Wayne County Criminal Defense Bar Association, the Michigan Association of Justice, Women Lawyers Association, and the Detroit Bar Association. She is also an alumnus of the National Criminal Defense College. 

 

Nicole Castka earned her Juris Doctor from the University of Detroit-Mercy School of Law and holds a Bachelor of Arts in political science and history from Otterbein College. 

 

“I am so deeply honored and grateful for the trust put forth by Governor Whitmer and her office to give me the opportunity to serve the citizens of Wayne County in a much deeper capacity than I have been able to in my private practice,” said Castka. “I will ensure that all parties appearing before the bench will be treated with dignity and respect and that justice will be upheld.” 

 

This appointment was made to fill a partial term following the resignation of Judge Mariam Bazzi.  Castka’s term will commence on June 30, 2025, and expire at twelve o’clock noon on January 1, 2027.  

 

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