New Hampshire Sex Crime Lawyer

Defending Against Sexual Assault, Abuse, & Other Sex Offenses

Sex crimes are among the most stigmatizing offenses in the criminal justice system.

There are severe consequences following convictions to sexual offenses. A conviction may result in a lengthy jail or prison sentence, stigmatizing sex offender registration obligations, required sex offender treatment programs, fines, probation, and/or a range of other draconian consequences. A conviction to a sexual offense may follow you for a lifetime because many sexual offenses cannot be annulled or expunged under New Hampshire law.

Sexual offenses include rape, which is referred to as aggravated felonious sexual assault in New Hampshire, but may also include charges for sexual assault; solicitation; possessing, distributing, or manufacturing child pornography; indecent exposure; and many other crimes.

The criminal defense attorneys at Shaheen & Gordon regularly defend sex crimes at the state and federal level and are experienced in a range of issues typical in such cases, including forensic search and seizure issues that are common to electronic devices, suggestive questioning of victims by law enforcement, the use of DNA testing and polygraph examinations including DNA, mental health issues that are often in the background of sex cases, and a range of other defenses and topics that surface when defending such offenses.

Before You Speak to Law Enforcement, Consult a Sex Crime Attorney

Law enforcement officers regularly seek to speak with suspects in sexual investigations, either directly or covertly. Police and other law enforcement agents often attempt to interrogate suspects in their home, at the police department, or even at work, giving rise to a number of defenses, depending on the circumstances surrounding such questioning. Police often "puff" or stretch the truth in order to secure confessions and other evidence that may be used against you. This makes it risky to speak with police on your own. You have a constitutional right to remain silent in the face of law enforcement questioning.

Deciding whether to speak with law enforcement during the investigation of a sex crime is tricky and must account for a range of issues. Often, such cooperation is just too risky to consider. There are other occasions, however, when cooperation with an ongoing law enforcement investigation may benefit your defense. Our criminal defense attorneys are comfortable in their communities and familiar with local law enforcement at the state and federal level. They have experience weighing the pros and cons of cooperation and can help you safeguard your rights and prepare you for truthful cooperation when it may benefit the case.

If you are confronted with a request to speak to the police, consent to a search, or supply other evidence or information relating to a crime, make sure to contact a New Hampshire sex crime attorney first.

Types of Sex Crimes in New Hampshire

Generally, any non-consensual sexual act or contact is considered a sex crime, but the exact charge will depend on the details. The age of the victim and his or her relationship to the accused (a family member or student of the accused) will impact the charge. The age of consent is 16 years old in New Hampshire. There are several other factors that will influence a prosecution charging decision following the investigation into a complaint of sexual wrongdoing, including: the use of force, whether the alleged victim was too intoxicated to consent, and whether the suspect occupied a position of trust in relationship to the alleged victim, among a number of other circumstances.

In the state of New Hampshire, there are several sex crimes, including, but not limited to:

• Incest
• Indecent exposure
• Sexual assault
• Felonious sexual assault
• Aggravated felonious sexual assault
• Possession, distribution, and manufacturing of child pornography
• Solicitation or luring

Each of these offenses includes specific elements, as well as potential defenses, which depend on the unique factual circumstances of each case. If you are facing a charge for a sexual offense, we invite you to speak with a member of Shaheen & Gordon’s criminal defense practice group. Our defense lawyers accept cases involving all types of sex crimes, and we will thoroughly explain the charge that you face. Should you secure the services of our firm, we will begin immediately but make plans for the long haul to effectively defend you.

Sex Offender Registration for Sex Crimes in New Hampshire

A conviction for a sexual offense in New Hampshire often requires registration on the Sex Offender Registry, which is also known as the Registration of Criminal Offenders. New Hampshire has a three-tiered system that may result in a lifetime registration obligation, depending on the offense. Being included on the sex offender registry often implicates a number of collateral consequences that may impact housing, employment, bank loans, and many other benefits that require a background check.

Our attorneys account for the impact that sex offender registration obligations may have on our clients; wherever possible, we pursue outcomes that minimize and avoid these impacts. It is important that you have skilled representation on your side in order to effectively pursue a defense of your case.

Charged with a Sex Crime? We Can Help.

At Shaheen & Gordon, P.A., we offer skilled criminal defense representation across New Hampshire from our offices in Concord, Dover, Manchester, and Nashua. We also accept cases in Maine. We can work with you to pursue a favorable outcome for your case. Our approach is proactive; often, we begin with legal advice before a charge has even been issued.

Once charged, our lawyers will snap into action, addressing issues of bail, no-contact conditions, and the first phases of the criminal process. From there, we will work with you to build a defense by spotting constitutional concerns, addressing scientific issues, identifying evidentiary issues, and applying good common sense to either fight your case through trial or minimize the risks of one through effective plea-bargaining.

Our firm will fight to ensure that your rights are protected in court. We have been in business for 40 years and counting—we know the courts, we know the justice system, and we know how to help in your case. Seek our representation for your criminal case today!

Call (888) 801-9916 for a free and confidential consultation with a skilled sex crime lawyer in New Hampshire.