Jeff Hammerschmidt

Jeffrey T. Hammerschmidt

Certified Criminal Law Specialist

Admitted to practice in 1987, Jeffrey T. Hammerschmidt is a Fresno County-based criminal defense attorney who represents men and women in criminal matters in state and federal courts. Jeff also represents clients in Merced County, Madera County, Kings County, and Tulare County. For more than 12 years Mr. Hammerschmidt worked as a Deputy District Attorney for the County of Fresno, where he served as President of the Fresno County Prosecutors Association. He also served as senior legal advisor to the Fresno Police Department, an agency of more than 750 officers, where he advised the Chief of Police’s executive staff on various legal issues. Mr. Hammerschmidt has a strong reputation in the Fresno community for his knowledge of the law. Primarily representing professionals including white-collar, felony and misdemeanor DUI, workers’ compensation premium fraud, health insurance billing fraud, and federal and state drug cases. He has also been featured in prominent media publications and interviewed by Court TV for his role in prosecuting a high-profile triple homicide case, People v. Dana Ewell. Mr. Hammerschmidt has appeared on American Justice, Court TV’s Forensic Files; Court TV’s Dominick Dunne’s Power, Privilege, and Justice, The Discovery Channel’s Solved; and most recently, In Ice Cold Blood.  Mr. Hammerschmidt has been named to the Northern California Super Lawyers List for the last twelve years and was honored with the distinction of Northern California Super Lawyers Top 100 List in 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, and 2021.

Client Testimonials

VICTORIES

Exceptional Results

Amir N.

Description: Was investigated for an alleged felony that occurred during his work as a physician. Attorney prepared client for interview with law enforcement.

Outcome: Following the two hour interview the detective informed attorney and client that no crime occurred and the investigation was not submitted to the District Attorney. Physician was then allowed to return to his employment.

U.S. v. Mary W.

Description: Charged with major fraud against the United States.

Outcome: Sentenced to probation with no time in custody.

U.S. v. Carmen C.

Description: Charged w/ Conspiracy to distribute and possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance (meth/heroin).

Outcome: Pled to a lesser charge with no mandatory minimum and sentenced to Probation with no additional time in jail or prison.

J.L. Padilla

Description: Employer with $15,000,000 in annual payroll charged with three felony counts of workers compensation premium fraud and exposure of up to 7 years in prison.

Outcome: One non-fraud misdemeanor with no jail time, $7,500 in restitution and community service.  Employer was permitted to retain his professional license and he was not deported. (Deportation would have occurred if he was convicted of one or more felonies).

Education & Certification

Bar Admissions

  • California
  • U.S. District Court, Eastern District of California
  • U.S. District Court, Central District of California
  • U.S. Supreme Court

Certification

  • Certified by the State Bar of California Board of Legal Specialization as a Criminal Law Specialist

Education

  • J.D., University of Missouri Columbia School of Law, 1987 Dean’s List
  • B.S., Business Administration, Truman State University, 1983

Awards

2015-2022 Top 100 Northern California Super Lawyers
San Francisco Magazine and Law & Politics Magazine – 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2022

AV Preeminent 5 out of 5 Peer Review Rated
Martindale-Hubbell

2023 Client Champion Gold
Martindale-Hubbell

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

Associations

Fresno County Bar Association
Member: 1987 –present

American Bar Association
Member: 2008 –present

US District Court for the Eastern District of California
Admitted to Practice: 1987–present

Supreme Court of California
Admitted to Practice: 1987–present

National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers
Member: 2009–present

St. Agnes Hospital Men’s Club
Board Member: 2010 –2017

Community Medical Centers’ Presidents Club

Founding Member: 2017- present

California Board of Legal Specialization

Board Member: 2019- present

California State Bar Board of Legal Specialization
Certified Criminal Law Specialist: 1998–present

United States Supreme Court Bar
Admitted to Practice: 2011–present

State Bar of California, Criminal Law Section
Member: 2008–present

CJA Panel Selection Committee
Board Member: 2013–present

State Bar of California, Criminal Law Advisory Commission
Board Member: 2012–2015

Criminal Trial Lawyers Association of America
Member: 2014–present

State Bar of California, Criminal Law Advisory Commission
Chair: 2015-2016