Josh Hamilton

Josh Hamilton has been successfully defending individuals and businesses in federal and state courts since 2010. His practice focuses on courtroom litigation of complex felony cases and representation of grand jury targets. He regularly represents clients all throughout Arizona and has been admitted pro hac vice to represent clients in federal cases in other districts nationwide. In addition, he has successfully argued many appellate cases and has obtained several published Arizona and federal appellate cases, including a high-profile victory in an Arizona Supreme Court case which dismantled the abusive police practice of forcing suspects to submit to warrantless searches following arrest. See State v. Butler, 232 Ariz. 84 (2013). He has vast experience in the areas of search and seizure litigation, wiretaps, digital forensics and internet investigations, white collar & racketeering matters, grand jury practice, and preindictment representation of the accused. He has expertly represented clients in many high-profile matters, including cases featured in the Arizona Daily Star, the Arizona Republic, the New York Times, Washington Post, CNN, and NBC News.

Josh is one of the fastest rising stars in criminal defense in Arizona, whose devotion and determination to protect the accused has led to successful outcomes in countless cases. He takes his role as a criminal defense attorney as serious as life and death. He has been professionally recognized by Southwest Super Lawyers, US News & World Report’s Best Law Firms in America, Best Lawyers in America, is AV Preeminent-rated by Martindale-Hubbell, and has served on the AACJ’s Board of Governors, the State Bar of Arizona’s Criminal Rules Committee, and the Criminal Justice Act (“CJA”) Panel Selection Committee for the U.S. District Court for the District of Arizona.

Josh is a frequent lecturer on a wide array of subjects, including trial techniques and ethics, and has served as faculty at the State Bar of Arizona’s Course on Professionalism. He also works as an adjunct law professor at the University of Arizona James E. Rogers College of Law, instructing law students specifically focusing on the topics of advanced criminal procedure and the practice of criminal law.

EDUCATION:

University of Arizona, B.A., 2006
New York Law School, J.D., 2010

LICENSED:

Arizona, 2010
District of Arizona, 2010
Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals, 2013
United States Supreme Court, 2017

PRO HAC VICE ADMISSIONS:

Southern District of California, 2016
Ohio Supreme Court, 2017

PUBLISHED CASES:

State v. Marner (Haniffa), 133 Arizona Cases Digest 30 (Ariz. App. 2024)
Willis v. Bernini, 253 Ariz. 453 (2022)
Hansen v. Chon-Lopez, 252 Ariz. 250 (App. 2021)
United States v. Halamek, 5 F.4th 1081 (9th Cir. 2021)
State v. Murray, 250 Ariz. 543 (2021)
United States v. Voris, 964 F.3d 864 (9th Cir.), cert. denied 141 S. Ct. 2564 (2021)
United States v. Carpenter et al., 923 F.3d 1172 (9th Cir. 2019)
United States v. Lopez-Rivas, 614 Fed.Appx. 918 (9th Cir. 2015)
United States v. Williams et al., 597 Fed.Appx. 916 (9th Cir. 2015)
United States v. Guillen-Cervantes, 748 F.3d 870 (2014)
State v. Butler, 232 Ariz. 84 (2013)

PROFESSIONAL COMMITEES:

Arizona Attorneys for Criminal Justice, Board of Governors (2019-2024)
Arizona Attorneys for Criminal Justice, Seminar Committee Chair (2022-2024)
Criminal Practice & Procedure Committee, State Bar of Arizona (2019-2022)
United States District Court, Tucson Division, CJA Panel Selection Committee (2021-present)

PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIP:

Member, Arizona Attorneys for Criminal Justice (AACJ)
Volunteer, Lawyers for Literacy
Sustaining Member, National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (NACDL)
Sustaining Member, Pima County Bar Association (PCBA)

PROFESSIONAL RECOGNITION AND AWARDS:

Martindale-Hubbell’s “AV Preeminent” rating
Southwest Super Lawyers
Best Lawyers in America
Best Law Firms in America (Tier One)
Best Law Firms by U.S. News & World Report
National Trial Lawyers, Top 40 Under 40 Award
Top Attorneys in Arizona (Phoenix Magazine)

SPEAKING ENGAGEMENTS:

Adjunct Law Professor, University of Arizona Law School (LAW 681B Anatomy of a Criminal Case)
Guest Lecturer, Handling Special Victim Unit (SVU) Cases: Considerations and Concerns for the Criminal Law Practitioner, University of Arizona Law School (Tucson, AZ 2023)
Presenter, AACJ Annual Seminar, Grand Jury Practice How to Represent Grand Jury Targets and Litigate Grand Jury Issues in State and Federal Courts (Phoenix, AZ 2023)
Presenter, AACJ Winter Seminar, Ethics: Managing Client Property & Money Issues (Phoenix, AZ 2022)
Guest Lecturer, Grand Jury Practice, University of Arizona Law School (Tucson, AZ 2020)
Faculty, State Bar of Arizona, Course on Professionalism: Responsibilities to Clients and Others (Tucson, AZ 2021 & Phoenix, AZ 2023)
Guest Lecturer, Representing Clients at the Preindictment Stage, University of Arizona Law School (Tucson, AZ 2021)
Co-Presenter, APDA Statewide Annual Conference, Representing Clients in Multi-Defendant Cases & Fees Paid by Non-Clients: A Discussion of Ethical Concerns (Tempe, AZ 2019)
Co-Presenter, APDA Statewide Annual Conference, Protecting Your Client Pre-Indictment: Investigation and Defense Strategy (Tempe, AZ 2018)
Panelist, Criminal Justice Seminar, City High School (Tucson, AZ 2017)

Client Testimonials

Clay Hernandez and Josh Hamilton are some of the most competent Lawyers I have ever had the pleasure of working with. They are dedicated, hard working and honest! They are some of the top Lawyers in the legal community and you couldn't have a better legal team on your side!

Lacee

To say that Josh Hamilton saved my life would be an understatement. Facing an incredibly ugly situation, I shopped around for an attorney for a while until I came across Mr. Hamilton. From day one I knew I had found the representation I needed. Josh fought tooth and nail for me and got me the best outcome, considering the dire straits I was in. His staff is incredibly helpful and friendly and Josh's ability and knowledge of the law is second to none. I could not see myself facing a hell like this again with anyone else at my side. A simple "thank you" will never be enough for all that Josh and the staff of Hernandez and Hamilton did for me.

Ox Inator

If you need a criminal defense lawyer then Josh Hamilton is definitely your guy!! Not only is he beyond brilliant.. and amazing at what he does! But he is a very caring and compassionate person. I highly recommend him!! He worked very hard on my case and got it dropped!!

Racquel Vera

The absolute 100% best. I cannot stress how much I appreciate and how grateful i am for Josh and Carol. They took up my brothers case in 2018 and never left him since. Their work is excellent and speaks volume. The complexity of the case will have anybody fearful and doubtful but not them. Right from the start they maintained a positive vibe and their professionalism is exceptional. I am so happy i found them back when me and my sister in law were googling appellate lawyers. If i could hug them now i would. My brother was released two days ago and even though the case is not done i am pretty sure the end results will be a good one. God appointed the right lawyers and they are not in it for the money they truly are genuine in fighting for victory and they know what happened to my brothers were not right and they fought tooth and nail and for that i just want to say thank you from the bottom of my heart. Grateful forever and ever!

King Black

I had a potential federal case come before me in my work environment. I called and they were so willing to work with me on getting into an in person consultation even though I was 2 hours away. We spoke on the phone, and then had a meeting I specifically spoke with Clay. He was knowledgeable and had a defense prepared before I even left the consultation. With everything still being in process, all I can tell you, based on my experience with him, he will fight until the end and he won't give up!

Cynthia Bass

Hernandez & Hamilton are top-notch attorneys. In hindsight I would NOT have considered hiring any other attorney to take care of my legal matters. Hernandez even traveled out of state to represent me over 2000 miles away, in Ohio, IN THE WINTER. :) Thank you for all you have done for me and my family!!!

Kari Turner

The best thing about this law office is their dedication. Josh never stopped working for us, never stopped believing that there would be a great outcome and even when it looked like all hope was lost, he kept working until we got the outcome we were looking for. I would recommend this office to anyone looking for an attorney. If they believe they can help, they will!!

Sarah Tecco

I contacted Mr. Hamilton regarding a case involving my brother. From the moment we spoke on the phone, he made feel like we were in the right hands. We discussed the case, went over the pro´s and con´s reaching a desicion to move fwd with the case. Mr. Hamilton is extremely well prepared and very knowledgagle. My brother got a very long punishment that was not justified and because of his commitment to the case and his great team effort, they got my brother a reduced sentence to time served. Now, thanks to Mr. Hamilton and his team, my brother is able to reunite with his three kids and his brothers. We are for ever thankful for your hard work and commitment. Thank you for believing in whats right! Blessings from our entire family.

Eghector

Josh Hamilton is top-notch: knowledgeable, accessible, hard-working and honest. No better lawyer in town.

Jeff Welter

I highly recommend Josh Hamilton to resolve your legal issues.The staff at Hernandez and Hamilton were very professional and friendly.Thank you Josh,Julie, Roni, and Olivia for everything that you all did for us. Have a wonderful holiday season and a prosperous new year..

Gillbert Encinas

I have owned a private investigation company in Arizona for a quarter century and worked with both of these lawyers for many years. These attorneys are honest, extremely competent, and truly care about their clients. Both are exceptional advocates.

Randy Downer

Josh is one of the best lawyers out there. He has helped me in multiple situations and has gotten me off every time. He’s professional about everything and I highly recommend him.

Timothy Marshall

I needed the best attorney in town and Josh did not let me down. If you want an aggressive pro-active team representing you, this is the outfit to go with. Best in class.

Organic BTI

I hired Hernandez & Hamilton to take care of a friend who had a bit of a tough situation. They took care of him easily and kept the cops honest. Very happy.

Danton Foster

Best lawyer in town. Josh and everyone else working with him at his law office go beyond to help you every step of the way. I would highly recommend for your criminal defense attorney.

Martin Lopez

Fantastic work by Josh and his team, they are very professional. Thank you for your help in our case. You and your team managed to get my brother released on the spot and cleared of all charges.

Eftimi Etzoglou

If you want the best of the best? Look no further because Clay and Josh are definitely it. HANDS DOWN.

Amanda Wade-Mcmickle

I can't thank Josh Hamilton enough and his team for what they did for our family to give us peace knowing that we got the best law firm the best lawyer and the out come was amazing thank you for all your knowledge your hard work your dedication once again thank you Josh and your team.

Alley Prudhomme

Excellent firm with outstanding attorneys and staff. They work extremely hard and get amazing results for their clients.

Adam dippel

This legal team is at the top of their game when it comes to representation and dedication. Truly a 5 Star law firm from beginning to end.

Mary Domoto-Hill

Mr. Hamilton is an absolute beast and he handled my problem like a Sunday drive. Absolutely the best attorney anywhere.period. thank you again Mr. Hamilton. Five stars across the board.

James Stewart

Josh Hamilton

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