KINGMAN – Ronald Gilleo is Mojave County Trial Counsel. He interacts with the public more directly and more personally during difficult times than most county departments.
He and his staff of seven attorneys and four support staff were charged with extra-city misdemeanor misdemeanor offenses of all kinds, juvenile delinquency, and mental health title 36. treats and advocates for people from
“I manage the office, but I handle and process some of the more serious cases that come through the system and handle the full case load,” says Gilleo.
Gilleo began working in Mohave County in August 1996 as a Deputy County Attorney prosecuting juvenile delinquency and drug cases with the Mohave Area General Narcotics Enforcement team (MAGNET) from 1998 to 2000 and has been a trial counsel since 2000. I was. His past lawyers’ average tenure was about 18 months. It’s clearly something he enjoys because of the duration and stress the position is known to have.
He is also one of the original founding members of the Arizona Defenders Association, which was formed over 20 years ago. He may be the last of the original members still working in that profession.
Born and raised in Mesa, Gileo received a bachelor’s degree in jurisprudence from Arizona State University in May 1991 and a law degree from the University of Oklahoma in 1995.
He received the Kingman Elks Public Service Award in 2000 and last year received the Frank Gordon X Award from the Mojave County Bar Association.
The number of cases handled by the attorney’s office is considerable.
In the 2021-22 fiscal year ending June 30, the office had 1,434 cases. Of these, 966 were felony, 271 misdemeanor, 74 juvenile, 94 probation violation, and 22 mental illness.
Since then, there have been 676 more total and 463 more felonies than in the previous year. Gilleo is very appreciative of the staff who have successfully handled that significant increase. Yes, murder cases are also part of the job.
Gilleo says: We seek justice for our clients. Make sure things are done right, done the right way and legally. ”
He adds: “It’s not about winning or losing.” The question is, was justice done? That doesn’t mean negotiations won’t happen. they do.
The defense attorney’s office will try to talk to the opposing attorney and secure the deal. However, it is up to the defendant. A lot of people would rather spend the day in court rather than get some sort of deal done, even if they have a slim chance of winning. said Gilio.
Last year, the office’s annual budget was $1,236,385. Other than salary increases, the attorney’s office has never increased or exceeded its budget.
Gilleo says: The top needs stability. I will stay here until I retire. “
Gileo and his wife Marie raised their family in Kingman and Mojave Counties. They have his four adult children and his seven grandchildren.
“I enjoy spending time with my family, traveling with my wife, and fully enjoying our cruise to Mexico. We just love to travel.”
Gileo was a longtime fan of both the Phoenix Suns and the Golden State Warriors. He points out: That’s why I like the Warriors. “
He also grew up as an avid supporter of the NFL’s Dallas Cowboys before becoming an avid fan when the Cardinals arrived in Arizona.
Is it necessary to have a certain type of attorney personality to become a defense attorney? Yes.
“You have to be able to talk to people. Communication is key. You have to be a good listener. You have to build trust with people,” he said. “I’m not strictly going to be an admin. I need to create a case.”
(This is one of a series of profiles of Mojave County employees by the County Communications Department.)
