6 minute read
Serving Others Comes Naturally for Aguilera
MEMBER SPOTLIGHT
Meet Austin Bar Member Miguel Aguilera
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Meet Miguel Aguilera. Aguilera joined the Law Office of Jorge Vela, PLLC in January 2022. The California native is a Marine and continues to serve our country as a Commissioned Officer in the U.S. Marine Corps Reserves with over 20 years of service. Aguilera has also worked as a police officer in Northern California for 12 years, where he gained extensive experience in family violence, sexual assault cases, DWI investigations, and search warrants.
AUSTIN BAR: Tell us about your background.
AGUILERA: I am from Lompoc, Calif., I graduated high school at 17 and immediately joined the Marine Corps. I am the youngest of four children and the only boy. I completed my undergraduate degree in psychology while on active duty in the Marine Corps in 2006 and my master’s degree in public administration in 2015. I was a police officer for 12 years.
AUSTIN BAR: What was your “dream job” growing up?
AGUILERA: My dream job as a kid was always to become a veterinarian because of my love for animals. It wasn’t until my teens that my shift in interest occurred.
AUSTIN BAR: What made you decide to join the military?
AGUILERA: Being a U.S. citizen and son of two immigrant parents, I wanted to give back for all the opportunities this country afforded my family. I am still in the Marine Corps Reserves going on 21 years at the rank of major.
AUSTIN BAR: Why did you want to become a police officer?
AGUILERA: I never had a desire per se of being a police officer. This opportunity presented itself as I was in my fourth year of active duty in the Marine Corps in Camp Pendleton, Calif. I was in the process of re-enlisting for another four years when the Contra Costa County Sheriff’s Office was recruiting on base and conducting fast-track interviews. At the time, the turnaround to get hired was around six months. My buddy was getting out and wanted me to accompany him and take their written test. I showed up and passed, then they rushed me into a panel of interviews where I was told I passed, and they rushed me to get set up for a polygraph and medical exam the next day. I never showed up to my polygraph exam. The polygraph examiner ended up being a major in the reserves while I was a sergeant. He called my boss and I was ordered to go take the polygraph exam. I passed the polygraph exam and then medical exam and was given a conditional offer of employment. I was convinced to take this new opportunity and still be affiliated with the military through the Reserves. I attended the police academy and was sworn in as a Deputy Sheriff with the Contra Costa County Sheriff’s Office in 2006 until my retirement in 2018 (12 years). I worked a variety of assignments, including investigations, custody, and patrol.
AUSTIN BAR: What prompted your move to Austin?
AGUILERA: I was activated for a deployment to South America during my last semester of law school in January of 2020. Luckily, my school allowed me to finish my last credits via independent study. However, the pandemic hit and put our deployment on hold. We were conducting military exercises from a stationary post within the United States throughout the year. While there, I decided to invest in a rental property which I now call home here in Austin. Prior to leaving on my deployment, I took the Uniform Bar Exam (UBE) as extra practice in preparation for the California bar exam. While on the deployment in May, I received news that I passed the UBE, which happened to transfer over to Texas. So when I graduated in June of 2020, I was already an attorney in the state of Texas. I figured I could get my initial experience in Texas and decided to call what was supposed to be my investment property my new home.
AUSTIN BAR: What is your current job? How long have you had it, and what do you enjoy most about it?
AGUILERA: I currently am a criminal defense attorney with the Law Office of Jorge Vela PLLC, where I’ve been since January of 2022. As a peace officer of 12 years, I personally have been witness to some injustices against citizens. While I do believe a majority of peace officers take the job because they want to be public servants and protect the constitution and rights of citizens, there are some bad officers in any department. I wanted to use my new skills and platform to be an advocate for citizens who are charged with crimes—especially those whose rights are violated at times by the justice system. Additionally, as a member of the LGBT community, there are not that many defense attorneys out there who LGBT members can turn to for help. So I am grateful to be able to represent my community in this way and be someone they can seek for help.
AUSTIN BAR: Tell us something about you that people may be surprised to know.
AGUILERA: I ride a Harley motorcycle. I never had a desire to ride. However, I was pressured by a friend to buy one. I don’t care how hot it is, you will see me in full safety gear (helmet, riding pants, and riding jacket with armored pads)!
AUSTIN BAR: Choose your favorite legal drama from television and tell us why: Law & Order, Night Court, LA Law, Perry Mason, or another?
AGUILERA: Law and Order: SVU was my favorite show. I loved the courtroom arguments and how well they display the persona of a police officer. I love Olivia Benson’s passion for victim advocacy.
AUSTIN BAR: Which television judge would you most prefer to go before on a case: Judge Mathis, Judge Judy, Judge Steve Harvey, or Judge Joe Brown?
AGUILERA: Judge Mathis. I know his story of being involved in the criminal justice system and turning his life around after a judge gave him a second chance. I think people like him who have lived through adversity are more reasonable in their decision-making processes. AL
