Criminal Defense Attorney in New Hampshire
New Hampshire is one of the smallest states in the country but has a major impact on the nation’s politics and economy. It also has a number of natural landmarks that people travel from across the nation to see. Perhaps no other landmark in the state is more famous than Mount Washington, which is over 6,000 feet tall and can produce winds in excess of 230 miles per hour. Of course, if you break the law while in New Hampshire, you may be gifted a tour of a local holding facility that may last several hours, days, or weeks.
What to Do If You’re Contacted By Authorities
If you are contacted by the authorities, the best thing to do is to remain silent. In most cases, the only thing that you’re required to do is to provide your name and identification upon request. However, you cannot be taken into custody, charged with a crime, or convicted of a crime simply because you refuse to speak to the police or other state representatives.
Anything that you say can and likely will be used against you at some point during the legal process. An exception might be made if you were coerced into speaking or otherwise made a statement before you knew that you had the right to remain silent.
You also have the right to hire an attorney, and questioning must come to a halt after you ask to have a lawyer by your side. If questioning does continue, anything that you say may be stricken from the record. Of course, if you say something voluntarily, your words may still be used against you regardless of when you said them.
Put our highly experienced team on your side
Brian J. Kuester
Former U.S. Attorney
Former DA
Amanda Marshall
Former U.S. Attorney
Local Counsel
Joe Brown
Former U.S. Attorney
& Former District Attorney
Local Counsel
John W. Sellers
Former Senior Trial Attorney
U.S. Department of Justice
Local Counsel
Linda Julin McNamara
Former Chief, DOJ Appeals
Local Counsel
Joanne Fine DeLena
Former Assistant U.S. Attorney
Local Counsel
Aaron L. Wiley
Former Federal Prosecutor
Local Counsel
Roger Bach
Former Special Agent (OIG)
Chris Quick
Former Special Agent (FBI & IRS-CI)
Kevin M. Sheridan
Former Special Agent (FBI)
Ray Yuen
Former Supervisory Special Agent (FBI)
Dennis A. Wichern
Former Special Agent-in-Charge (DEA)
You May Withhold Consent for a Search
Authorities can only search a residence, a car, or your person if they have probable cause to do so. Alternatively, they may conduct a search if you provide consent to do so. It’s important to understand that you don’t have to give permission to search your car, home, or anything else that the police might be interested in.
Generally speaking, the police don’t have the right to search anything that is locked or restricted by a password unless they have a warrant. If you are threatened or intimidated into providing access to something that authorities don’t have a right to view, that might be used as evidence in your favor at trial. In fact, there is a chance that any evidence obtained improperly will be suppressed at trial.
Hire an Attorney Right Away
The best time to hire an attorney is the moment that you feel as if you’re the target of an investigation. If you have already been charged with a crime, the moment to hire an attorney is the moment that you are taken into custody. In most cases, you’ll be allowed to make a phone call while in jail or will have a chance to obtain counsel between the time that you’re arraigned and the time that your trial begins.
A New Hampshire criminal defense attorney may be able to take a number of steps to help you obtain a favorable outcome in your case. For example, an attorney may be able to gather evidence that might create sufficient doubt to have a case dropped, gain leverage for a plea deal, or earn an acquittal. Exculpatory evidence may include photos or video footage taken prior to a fight, a fire, or other events that you were linked to showing that you weren’t at the scene when they happened.
Your attorney may also be able to make public statements on your behalf or otherwise ensure that you don’t say or do anything problematic while your case is pending. Ideally, you will refrain from discussing your case on social media, with traditional media, or to anyone you may associate with at work or school.
Types of Cases Our Firm May Handle
Our firm will handle just about any type of case that you might bring to us. Whether you are charged with drug possession, larceny, or assault and battery, we will likely be able to create a defense against those allegations. The same may be true if you are charged with defrauding a business, tax evasion, or other types of financial crimes. Let’s take a closer look at some of the common charges The Criminal Defense Firm might be able to defend against.
Assault and Battery
You may be charged with assault and battery in New Hampshire if you intentionally or recklessly cause physical harm or bodily injury to someone else. Some circumstances can elevate the offense to aggravated assault, such as if you used a deadly weapon or cause a serious injury.
Larceny
Larceny occurs when you steal items from a person or a retail establishment. You may be charged with this crime whether you steal cash or property that is worth more than the state threshold for petit or grand larceny. It’s worth noting that burglary is similar to larceny but refers to the fact that you entered a structure with the intent to commit a crime.
Drug Possession
Drug possession may be a misdemeanor or a felony depending on the type of substance you’re found with and the amount that is discovered. If you are in possession of a significant quantity of marijuana, cocaine, or other controlled items, you could be charged with intent to distribute. Other charges may apply if there is reason to believe that you tried to sell a controlled substance to a child or used a controlled substance in close proximity to a school.
Frequently Asked Questions
What sets you apart from the competition?
The attorneys at The Criminal Defense Firm are mostly former federal attorneys or members of federal agencies such as the IRS or OIG. Therefore, you can feel good that your legal representative is going to have a strong understanding of what the government is thinking throughout the legal process. Furthermore, you can feel good that your attorney is going to be your main contact for as long as your case is pending. We do not believe in shifting cases to junior associates or to paralegals.
What should I know about the initial consultation?
The initial consultation is about 15 minutes long and does not require you to tell us your name, location, or other sensitive details. There is no fee to speak with us, and there is also no obligation to hire us at the conclusion of the initial conversation. We will send you a contract that you can choose to sign or ignore soon after you hang up. There is also a good chance that we’ll have an attorney in mind or someone already ready to begin serving your interests as the consultation progresses.
How do you choose my attorney?
We’ll take a number of factors into consideration when determining who will work your case. For instance, we will likely choose someone who has a background in cases similar to yours. If you are fighting a drug charge, we might assign someone who has worked for the DEA to handle your case. If you are fighting a tax evasion charge, we might choose someone who has worked with the IRS.
Location is another factor to consider when selecting a representative. Ideally, the person who works on your proceeding will have connections to New Hampshire or will be able to travel to your location with ease. If necessary, interactions that take place outside of a courtroom may occur by video, phone, or email.
Can I defend myself at trial?
While you are allowed to represent yourself, it’s generally not a good idea to do so. There is a strong possibility that the judge overseeing your case will require you to have an attorney by your side to ensure that your case can be tried in a timely manner. You may also be required to have counsel on standby to minimize the risk of an appeal on the grounds that you had insufficient counsel.
Contact The Criminal Defense Firm Today for Representation in New Hampshire
If you are in need of a New Hampshire criminal defense attorney, don’t hesitate to call our national intake hotline at 866-603-4540 or contact us online about your case or about our firm.