Former Public Defender

Judge since: 2006

Ocasio began his legal career as a public defender for four years before working in a consumer fraud office of the Illinois Attorney General for eight years. He then returned to the Cook County Public Defender’s Office as a supervisor. As a judge, Ocasio has previously set bail at the criminal courthouse, and presided over misdemeanors, preliminary hearings, and felonies in Maywood, where he has also presided over the Drug Treatment Court. He is president of the Illinois Latino Judges Association.

Bar Association ratings

This year: The CCL and CBA rated him qualified and the ISBA recommended him for retention.

Past: In 2012, Judge Ocasio was found qualified by the CBA, the CCL, and the ISBA.