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

Drug paraphernalia can impact your future

On behalf of Germaine & Blaszka, P.A. posted in drug crime defense on Tuesday, November 13, 2018.

There are many charges that a person who is using drugs might face if they are pulled over during a traffic stop. One of these is a drug paraphernalia charge. You might think of this as a minor charge; however, you can still face serious penalties for it. Still, it is likely better to only be charged with paraphernalia than with actual drugs.

We know that you might be ready to get this case over and done with. There are several reasons for this. Maybe you have to miss work to go to your court hearings or maybe you want to know what the outcome is. It is imperative that you think carefully about your steps during the case. You need to do everything you can to protect your interests.

Making a valid will in New Hampshire

On behalf of Germaine & Blaszka, P.A. on Thursday, November 8, 2018.

Estate planning happens to be one of the tasks many people tend to put off. However, devoting some attention to this matter long before you think it will become necessary can ensure that, when the time does come, there will be a solid plan in place for your beneficiaries.

If you do not make a will, New Hampshire intestacy laws will apply. These provisions may vary significantly from the outcome you actually want. Making a proper will can allow you to distribute your estate specifically the way you want to.

4 tips for probationers and parolees to avoid alcohol

On behalf of Germaine & Blaszka, P.A. posted in probation/parole violations on Tuesday, November 6, 2018.

The holiday season is one that is synonymous with parties of all sorts. Many of these will include adult beverages. For people who are on probation or parole, alcohol is often off limits due to the random drug and alcohol tests, as well as the terms of the programs.

There are many alternatives to consuming alcohol at these parties or during any social events. Finding the avoidance techniques that work for you might take some trial and error. Just remember that compliance with the program terms will help you stay out of new legal trouble.

Job hunt challenges after a domestic violence conviction

On behalf of Germaine & Blaszka, P.A. posted in assault/domestic violence on Tuesday, October 23, 2018.

Many life impacts come after a domestic violence conviction. One of the most profound for most people is that they have trouble finding a job. Many employers do background checks on potential employees. Since domestic violence is considered a violent crime, many types of jobs are off limits to someone with this type of conviction.

When you start your job search, look for jobs that aren't going to put you around people who are considered vulnerable. These include the elderly, children and those who are disabled. You also won't be able to do a job that requires you to carry a weapon. You may not be able to do a job that requires you to have a trade or professional license.

Find out if you are eligible for expunging your criminal record

On behalf of Germaine & Blaszka, P.A. posted in expungements on Tuesday, October 16, 2018.

One of the most disheartening things that a person can experience is having a criminal record impact them for the rest of their life. Unfortunately, this is a real possibility now that so many employers, landlords and others do routine background checks. When you think about it, there isn't a good reason why old mistakes should haunt you for decades.

Some people who have criminal records might be eligible for expungement. This process seals the criminal record so that it doesn't show up on background searches. Getting the case expunged is akin to it never happening. The only time that the record would come up would be in very limited law enforcement applications, but these don't occur often.

Many options exist for drug possession defenses

On behalf of Germaine & Blaszka, P.A. posted in drug crime defense on Tuesday, October 9, 2018.

Drug possession charges are viewed by some individuals as minor. Regardless, they can carry considerable penalties upon conviction. Anyone who is facing these charges has the option of presenting a defense to the court. A strategic defense can help you minimize the penalties you face if you are found guilty of the charges against you.

It is important for you to understand what constitutes drug possession so that you know how to best mount your defense. In the most basic sense, this charge means that there were drugs in an area that you controlled. They don't have to be on your person in order for you to be charged.

The dangers of speeding and the effect on your record

On behalf of Germaine & Blaszka, P.A. on Wednesday, October 3, 2018.

Speeding has been a factor in about a third of all vehicle crash fatalities recorded for more than 20 years, and many of those who die are teens. Driving too fast endangers others. If convicted of speeding, demerit points will go on your record, which is not a good way to begin the rest of your life.

A teenage viewpoint

Some probationers will have to submit to monitoring

On behalf of Germaine & Blaszka, P.A. posted in probation/parole violations on Tuesday, October 2, 2018.

There are many conditions that are set on a person who is on probation. These are determined by the court and by the community supervision officer. One of the possible conditions is that a person may have to use a monitoring device.

There are three types of monitors that might be used. The one that is used is often chosen based on the circumstances of the case.

Global positioning system: The person is monitored using satellites that have a time and location as part of the report.
Voice recognition: Random phone calls verify that a person is in a location where they are supposed to be at that time. This is often used for people who are on home detention or who have a set curfew.
Radio frequency: Technology alerts the monitoring office when a person leaves a specific area. Ankle monitors are one of the common types of devices used with RF monitoring. The downside to this is that it doesn't follow the person when they leave the monitoring area.

Your defense strategy impacts a DUI case considerably

On behalf of Germaine & Blaszka, P.A. posted in dwi/dui defense on Wednesday, September 26, 2018.

A person who drives drunk is going to face a lengthy court process because of the charges. They might not face this the first time they drive drunk; however, they will probably be caught eventually. If you are accused of drunk driving, you need to think about your options so that you can decide what to do. These decisions are important and some are time sensitive so starting your defense plan quickly is imperative.

We know that this isn't an easy spot for you to be in. You might be wondering about the criminal penalties and the other ways that the issue might impact you. These vary greatly. You might have to pay an increase in your insurance premiums. It is possible that you may lose your license. Fines and time in jail are also possible.

Subtle differences between battery and assault

On behalf of Germaine & Blaszka, P.A. posted in assault/domestic violence on Wednesday, September 19, 2018.

Sometimes, people use the terms assault and battery as the same thing. The fact is that these are two very distinct terms. Understanding what each means might help you out if you are facing one of these two charges.

When you intentionally touch another person in an offensive or harmful way, you are committing battery. This requires that you mean to do it and that you want it to harm or offend the person. You don't actually have to lay hands on the person. You can face this charge if you spit on a person. It is also necessary for you to remember that this charge doesn't have to involve an actual injury. Just the mere touch that meets the requirements is enough for you to face this charge.