NH, Criminal Defense Blog | Germaine & Blaszka, P.A. I New Hampshire Criminal Defense

Establishing a trust for the special person in your life

On behalf of Germaine & Blaszka, P.A. on Monday, May 7, 2018.

Everyone should have an estate plan, but if you have a loved one with special needs, setting up a good plan with the appropriate trust is even more important.

A trust is a major focus in your estate plan, a popular tool that usually outlives the donor. A special needs trust can ensure that your beneficiary has access to needed funds in addition to any government assistance that he or she receives. You can meet your goals to provide financial care for the life of the beneficiary with a special needs trust. It involves three parties:

The donor, who provides the trust funds
The trustee, who administers the funds
The beneficiary, who benefits from the trust

Parolees must comply with strict program rules

On behalf of Germaine & Blaszka, P.A. posted in probation/parole violations on Monday, April 23, 2018.

People who are on parole can't do whatever they want to do. The parole program comes with some restrictions that you have to be prepared for if you are facing the possibility of parole when you get out of prison.

Many times, family members will ask what they can do to help a person who is re-entering society on parole. The primary answer is that they can learn about the conditions and restrictions so that they can help the person comply with the program.

Understand what a criminal record expungement can do for you

On behalf of Germaine & Blaszka, P.A. posted in expungements on Thursday, April 19, 2018.

Having a criminal record can mean that you have some very limited options in some areas of your life. For example, you might find that it is difficult to find a job or an apartment based solely on your criminal history. Some people who have a case that meets specific requirements might be able to have their record expunged.

A criminal record expungement doesn't mean that you will be treated like the conviction never happened. Instead, the conviction won't be mentioned on your public background check. It will still be open for some government agencies and agents to review. This means that they might come up if you have another criminal justice case opened up in the future or if you are trying to land a job that comes with a security clearance.

Facing drug charges comes with choices and possible consequences

On behalf of Germaine & Blaszka, P.A. posted in drug crime defense on Wednesday, April 11, 2018.

We recently discussed how a drug conviction can impact your eligibility for federal financial aid. This educational roadblock can have an impact on your career possibilities, but so can the fact that you have a drug conviction on your record. Many employers do criminal background checks, which can mean that your options are very limited if you have a drug-related conviction on your record.

There is a common urban legend believed by many that if your drug charge is a misdemeanor, then you won't have any consequences to deal with. While it is true that a misdemeanor conviction won't have the same consequences as a felony, you will still face some just because you have a criminal history.

What are some signs my spouse is hiding assets?

On behalf of Germaine & Blaszka, P.A. posted in blog on Friday, April 6, 2018.

If you are getting ready to file for divorce in the Derry area, chances are you have little to no trust in your spouse. As much as you want to believe that he or she will do the right thing and cooperate during the divorce process, you do not want to risk losing out on your fair share of the marital property. One thing you might not realize, especially if you have been planning to divorce for a while, is the possibility of your partner hiding assets.

It is not uncommon for people to hide assets to keep their spouses from knowing about it. Divorce is stressful enough without you having to worry about hidden money and assets. Review the following signs on how to find hidden assets so you can take measures to ensure you receive your fair share of them.

Drug convictions and federal student aid eligibility

On behalf of Germaine & Blaszka, P.A. posted in drug crime defense on Wednesday, April 4, 2018.

There are many ways that a drug conviction can impact your future. One of these has to do with getting financial aid after the conviction. You might find that you have to take some extra steps if you are trying to get federal student aid. There are a few factors that come into the picture when you are trying to determine how a drug conviction might affect your chances of going back to school.

One of the factors that has to be considered is whether you were receiving federal financial aid when you were convicted. If you were, there is a good chance that you will be ineligible for financial aid. Your current eligibility will likely be suspended.

Criminal defense matters have to be considered carefully

On behalf of Germaine & Blaszka, P.A. posted in assault/domestic violence on Wednesday, March 28, 2018.

Criminal justice matters must be taken seriously, even when there doesn't seem to be any substance to them. No matter what the charge, there are serious penalties that can come if you are convicted. In some cases, even a charge without a conviction can change your life considerably.

We know that the fight or flight instinct might come up when you learn that you are facing criminal charges. When the flight instinct is the one that kicks in, you will have to fight it. Trying to run from criminal charges isn't ever a good idea. In fact, it can lead to other criminal charges being levied against you.

What are the protective order laws in New Hampshire?

On behalf of Germaine & Blaszka, P.A. posted in assault/domestic violence on Tuesday, March 20, 2018.

Facing domestic violence is scary. No one should face such a problem in his or her lifetime. For those who have been abused by a loved one, significant other or a friend, they need to know how to acquire a protective order. The protective order laws in New Hampshire are pretty straightforward. Let's take a look at them in today's post.

A protective order lasts for a period of one year in New Hampshire. The order can be extended under certain circumstances. The first violation of a protective order is charged as a Class A misdemeanor. Any subsequent violations of a protective order are charged as felonies.

Probation terms can prove difficult to comply with

On behalf of Germaine & Blaszka, P.A. posted in probation/parole violations on Wednesday, March 14, 2018.

Probation is an alternative to having to serve a sentence in jail or prison. Unfortunately, this is often a very difficult program for participants because there are so many conditions and rules. For many people, compliance is complicated because many of the things you need to do are difficult due to the fact that you have a criminal record now.

One thing that almost always has to happen is that the probationer has to find and keep a job. They need to show that they are productive members of society. Plus, having a job gives them something to focus on that will hopefully keep them out of trouble.

An interlock device could be a component of your DWI penalties

On behalf of Germaine & Blaszka, P.A. posted in blog on Thursday, March 8, 2018.

New Hampshire drunk driving laws are harsh. If a law enforcement officer stops you for driving while intoxicated, the penalties you face will depend on your blood alcohol content level and the circumstances that led to your arrest.

If you have a high enough BAC, the court could order you to install an ignition interlock device on any vehicle you drive.