Portsmouth Criminal Defense Lawyer

A Directed Verdict is the Holy Grail of jury trial defense. Judges are almost always asked by competent defense counsel to give directed verdicts at the end of the prosecution's case and then again at the end of all evidence. Good lawyers make the motions, despite the very low chance of success, because appellate courts will say the issue of insufficient evidence was waived for appeal, if the motions are not made at the trial level. Trial judges almost never grant such motions, especially not at the end of

Client was barely 18 (just over the age for criminal liability in New Hampshire) when he and a younger friend (under 18 and considered a juvenile) were invited to get together with a young lady who was just under the age of legal consent (16 in New Hampshire). Marijuana and alcohol were consumed and sexual activity occurred. The lady later claimed that it was forced or involuntary. Client made a voluntary statement to police without asking for a lawyer (reminder/warning: do not do this: ask for an attorney)

Client had a causal, non-romantic relationship with the accuser and she had been to his house several times (described as "hooking up"). On the last visit, he was offended by her statement and behavior and told her to leave. She refused. He attempted, with minimal force, to get her to leave. She still refused, but eventually left. She later went to the police department and reported that he had attacked her and choked her. This "strangulation" offense (with a potential penalty of up to 7 years in prison)

Defendant was driving and pulled over by a State Trooper. Her boyfriend was in the passenger seat. He had scored and used a short time earlier and still had syringes and additional doses in his sock. He was arrested, she was allowed to drive away. Months later she was indicted as an accomplice for allegedly aiding her boyfriend's possession by driving him to where he obtained the fentanyl.