Joshua M. Mulligan, Criminal Defense Attorney in La Quinta, California

Board Certified Criminal Law Specialist, Caring and Aggressive Firm Devoted 100% to Criminal Defense

Josh is a Certified Criminal Law Specialist by the State Bar of California Board of Legal Specialization and a graduate of Gerry Spence's Trial Lawyer's College. Josh has achieved dozens of "not guilty" and hung jury verdicts in addition to hundred of cases negotiated down to infractions or outright dismissed.

While over 9,200 attorneys in California list criminal law as a practice area on Avvo, under four hundred are Certified Specialists. Before achieving this distinction an applicant must complete a 6 hour examination, demonstrate a broad range of criminal law experience in jury trials, writs, and appeals, and submit dozens of references from judges, defense attorneys, and prosecutors.

Josh graduated from Gerry Spence's Trial Lawyers College in September 2017. The Trial Lawyer's College is an intensive 3-week program where students learn and practice trial techniques developed by Spence.

Josh has handled thousands of criminal cases, ranging from DUI to homicide, and has tried over 60 cases to a jury. Josh is a graduate of Cornell Law School, an Ivy League institution and one of the top 10 law schools in the country. At Cornell, Josh was a general editor of the Cornell Journal of Law and Public Policy, and published a law journal article. Josh knew early in his law school career that his passion was in criminal law, defending individuals who had made a mistake and were now facing punishment in one of the harshest and most punitive criminal “justice” systems in the world.

Josh practiced criminal law as a public defender for almost 9 years, including 6 ½ years at the Public Defender Office in Indio. Josh has shown his vigor and ability as a trial attorney, taking over 20 misdemeanor and 40 felony cases to trial. Josh has done jury trials in almost every kind of criminal case, ranging from simple DUIs and misdemeanor domestic violence to sexual assault, rape, child molest, mayhem, and murder. Josh has been very successful in jury trials and his hard work and creative defenses have resulted in dozens of ‘not guilty’ verdicts for his clients. Josh has presented creative defenses in his practice that have led juries to acquittals in seemingly hopeless cases. For example, in an auto theft case where the stolen vehicle was found in his client’s garage, Josh researched and utilized an obscure and seldom-used mental health defense that resulted in an acquittal without subjecting his client to a lifetime in a state mental hospital. On a separate occasion, Josh was able to qualify a homeless scrap metal collector as an expert, and the jury relied on the man’s expertise in acquitting Josh’s client.

Josh’s thorough and smart approach to cases also helped his clients get amazing results in plea-bargaining. Josh has persuaded prosecutors to accept pleas to manslaughter in two separate homicide cases, a rare success in Riverside County.

Recently Josh was able to negotiate two separate attempted murder cases down to misdemeanors, one of which involved a shooting.

No attorney can guarantee results, but the Mulligan Defense can guarantee fair dealing, personal service, and a smart and strong defense. We fight hard to get the best possible result for every client.

Awards

Certified Criminal Law Specialist, The State Bar of California Board of Legal Specialization, 2016-2026

Top Lawyer, Palm Springs Life Magazine, 2014-2026

Work Experience

Owner, Mulligan Defense, 2026-present

Partner, Wilkerson & Mulligan, 2013 - 2025

Deputy Public Defender, Riverside County Public Defender's Office, 2007 - 2013

Deputy Public Defender, Tulare County Public Defender, 2005 - 2007

Full time internship, Alameda County Public Defender's Office, 2004 - 2004

Summer Intern, San Francisco Public Defender, 2003 - 2003

Publications

Wilkerson & Mulligan Blog, Can the alleged victim in a Domestic Violence case get the case dropped? 2013

Cornell Journal of Law and Public Policy, Finding a Forum in the Simulated City: Mega Malls, Gated Towns, and the Promise of Pruneyard, 2004

Speaking Engagements

Mock Trial, Mock Trial Attorney Coach, 2019-2022

Legal Cases

People v. T.M. (dismissed)

People v. RJ (lesser charge)

People v. Johnson (lesser charge)

People v. GG (Dismissed)

Associations

California Public Defenders Association, Member, 2007 - Present

Cornell Journal of Law and Public Policy, General Editor, 2003 - 2004

Cornell Journal of Law and Public Policy, Associate, 2002 - 2003