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

Think about drug charge defenses before you head to court

On behalf of Germaine & Blaszka, P.A. posted in drug crime defense on Thursday, January 17, 2019.

Drug charges, including those for selling, can have negative impacts on your life. It is imperative that you take the time to learn about the options that you have when you are facing them. These can vary greatly and must be decided by looking at the circumstances of the case. We help our clients learn about the options and determine how to use the available components in a way that benefits your defense.

We realize that it isn't easy to think about the situation that led to your arrest; however, you will need to try to remember everything that happened. There is a chance that details that seem minor to you are actually a huge deal for your defense.

Domestic violence cases are often emotional and complex

On behalf of Germaine & Blaszka, P.A. posted in assault/domestic violence on Monday, January 14, 2019.

Domestic violence is a serious act of violence against a family member or someone who lives in the same household as you. While it is possible that these charges are based on the wrong perception of a situation, you should still be prepared to present a defense against the claims of the prosecutor. There are several things that come into the picture for these cases.

In most of these cases, there are physical injuries witnessed on the victim. These are usually well-documented through pictures and other evidence. The issue here is that the prosecutor will need to prove that you were the one who inflicted those injuries. This might prove to be problematic.

Probation and parole violations can be hard to face

On behalf of Germaine & Blaszka, P.A. posted in probation/parole violations on Tuesday, January 8, 2019.

Probation and parole are alternatives to incarceration, but they aren't by any means free passes that don't involve punishment of any sort. For the people who are on the programs, there are lots of rules that have to be followed. Any deviation from these rules can result in further legal issues that can land them back in jail.

There are some ways that probationers and parolees can help boost their chances of success on the programs. One of these is to build up as much trust as they can with their supervising officer. This might not get you out of trouble if you do something wrong, but building rapport with your officer can help the person to give you the benefit of the doubt if there is ever a situation that is questionable.

As a driver, do you understand what “implied consent” means?

On behalf of Germaine & Blaszka, P.A. on Thursday, January 3, 2019.

Every state, including New Hampshire, has an implied consent law. You agree to abide by this law as soon as you apply for a driver’s license.

Implied consent comes into play if a law enforcement officer arrests you on suspicion of driving under the influence of alcohol. Do you know what this means?

Increased patrols around New Year's aim to stop impaired drivers

On behalf of Germaine & Blaszka, P.A. posted in dwi/dui defense on Wednesday, January 2, 2019.

Police departments around the nation are in the midst of the "Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over" campaign. This is a good time for people in New Hampshire to make plans for sober rides home on the New Year's Eve holiday. Police officers around Derry and elsewhere will be more watchful than usual for signs of impairment.

Everyone in New Hampshire should remember that this campaign doesn't only focus on drunk drivers. It also includes high drivers, which is important considering the changing marijuana laws all around the country. If you are heading out to a party to ring in the new year, make sure that you've figured out how you are going to get home if you are planning on drinking alcohol or taking anything that might impair your driving abilities.

Focus on rebuilding your life after a drug possession charge

On behalf of Germaine & Blaszka, P.A. posted in drug crime defense on Wednesday, December 26, 2018.

People who are addicted to drugs have a hard road to travel. Sometimes, they end up having to make some difficult life decisions. They might wind up in jail on drug possession charges. These should be taken very seriously, even though some people think of these as minor matters. We know that drug possession charges can have an impact on your entire life, so think about that as you are making decisions about your defense.

There are several things to think about when you are up against a case revolving around this. One is that you are going to have to do without the drugs if you are in jail. While some people can get their hands on these substances in jail, the consequences aren't worth it. We know that it might be tempting, but you don't need to have any additional charges filed against you.

Impaired driving is a major concern in New Hampshire

On behalf of Germaine & Blaszka, P.A. posted in dwi/dui defense on Tuesday, December 18, 2018.

New Hampshire police face a tough road now that the state is surrounded by states that allow the use of recreational marijuana. The issue is that people from those states might drive into this one and cause crashes that injure or kill people.

The problem of impaired driving isn't one that is new, but it is one that has changed over time. All drivers must remember that any substance that impairs your ability to drive should be avoided if you are going to be getting behind the wheel. Impaired driving charges aren't limited only to alcohol.

Pay attention to small details in a drug crime defense case

On behalf of Germaine & Blaszka, P.A. posted in drug crime defense on Monday, December 10, 2018.

Being charged with a drug crime means that you have a lot of work to do. There are many things that you might be able to focus on in your defense planning. The circumstances of your case will determine what possibilities that you have. In many cases, it can take someone familiar with the unthought-of points to come up with a defense strategy for you.

One thing to remember when you are reviewing your options is what the prosecution is likely going to focus on. For some smaller cases, they might not want to have to pursue a trial. You may have a good chance at getting a plea deal in these cases.

How a DUI can derail your employment prospects

On behalf of Germaine & Blaszka, P.A. on Wednesday, December 5, 2018.

The holidays mean lots of cheer, shopping and traffic on the streets. It also means social events and drinking. Whether or not you plan to indulge in libations, you might want to keep in mind how a DUI can impact your future, especially employment.

Even an arrest can have far-reaching employment consequences. Once you have paid the fines and completed all other sentencing requirements, you still have to deal with the impact a conviction can have on your job opportunities. Consider the following information on DUIs, employment and expungements.

Criminal charge annulments aren't quick

On behalf of Germaine & Blaszka, P.A. posted in expungements on Tuesday, December 4, 2018.

Many people want to know what they can do about a criminal conviction after they have served their sentence. For some, there is the possibility of expungement, but these cases are limited. In New Hampshire, an expungement is known as an annulment. When you apply for this here, you can only ask the court to remove records from New Hampshire. Convictions and charges from other states will remain on your record.

You must complete a petition to have your records annulled. There is a waiting period for some cases. If you were convicted, you must wait for one to three years, depending on the type of charge. Violation level offenses have a one-year waiting period, Class B misdemeanors have a two-year wait and Class A misdemeanors have a three-year waiting period. The time doesn't start until you have successfully completed your sentence.