There is nothing worse than being falsely accused of committing a rape, or of molesting a child. In New Hampshire courts these accusations are often charged as either Sexual Assault, Felonious Sexual Assault, or Aggravated Felonious Sexual Assault. Sex crimes also include:
It should be no surprise that sexual assault allegations and the other offenses listed above are some of the most serious offenses a person can be accused of having committed. The mere allegations can often affect family, work and other relationships. And the stakes are high: a person convicted of a felony sexual assault is often facing a lengthy prison term and any type of conviction will often involve registering as a convicted sex offender.
If you are being investigated by police for sexual assault allegations or have been charged with an offense, call 603-775-7570 to speak to one of our experienced attorneys.
The penalties for sexual assault are severe, and can include:
An attorney who is experienced defending against sexual assault charges can help conduct an independent investigation, including securing important witness statements, gathering critical records, and getting to the bottom of the allegation before the case spins out of control.
The attorneys at Samdperil & Welsh know how devastating an accusation of sexual assault can be.
We have been representing clients charged with these offense for over 20 years. More importantly, our lawyers have tried and won these cases.
If you have been charged with a sex crime in NH, give us a call at (603) 775-7570 in Exeter, NH or (603) 436-4901 in Portsmouth, NH. We have a state-wide practice and have represented clients charged with misdemeanor and felony sexual assaults in courts throughout Rockingham, Strafford, and Hillsborough counties.
1. This is ruining my life. How long before my case will be over?
It depends on a lot of factors. In some cases, we have been able to favorably wrap up the case before there was even a formal indictment or at the arraignment (the first formal court hearing where the defendant pleads not guilty). This is why is it important to call a sex crimes lawyer immediately so we can begin working on your case before the prosecution gains all of the momentum. In other cases, we have taken the case all the way to trial, which can take a year or two from when the allegation is first made.
2. Will I be able to see the person who accused me of the crime while the case is pending?
Often in sexual assault cases, the Judge orders that there be no contact between the complaining victim and the defendant as a condition of the defendant’s bail. The lawyers at Samdperil & Welsh know how devastating this can be if the alleged victim if your child, your wife, or another loved one. An experienced sex crimes attorney can challenge these types of bail conditions in court. The lawyers at Samdperil & Welsh are seasoned, articulate advocates for their clients and routinely argue these kinds of bail motions.
3. What if the alleged victim consented to the behavior I am now charged with?
Depending on the charged offense, consent may or may not be defense. Samdperil & Welsh will sit down with you to hear your side of the story and to gather as much information about all possible defenses that may be presented. When necessary, we will hire an experienced private investigator to interview witnesses, test physical evidence, gather supporting documentation which can be used to challenge the prosecution’s theory of the case. The lawyers at Samdperil & Welsh are experienced sex crime attorneys who know what to look for in the police report, how to read the physical evidence, how to effectively cross-examine the witness in court and how to deal successfully with the prosecution.
4. How could this be happening to me? She was saying one thing that night then but another thing to the police!
The lawyers at Samdperil & Welsh understand how unbelievable this experience may feel to you. They have years of experience dealing with sexual assault cases. Because there are often multiple versions of the story, it is important to call a lawyer immediately to preserve your side of the story and to interview witnesses early on in the process.
5. The police want my side of the story; should I talk to them?
It is natural to want to explain yourself to the police. However, it is very dangerous to make any type of statement to the police without an attorney present. Talk to an attorney before making any statement to the police, no matter how helpful you may think it is to your case; this could be the most important decision — or mistake — you make.
6. Will I have to register as a sex offender in NH?
In New Hampshire, if you are convicted of certain kinds of sexual offenses you will have to register as a sexual offender. Even certain kinds of misdemeanor offenses require registration as a sexual offender. Samdperil & Welsh have years of experience navigating these sexual assault laws and can help you have the best chance possible at not having to register as a sexual offender.
7. What is the sexual offender registry?
The sexual offender registry is a public list of all persons in New Hampshire convicted of certain types of sex offenses. The database is maintained online and can be viewed by anyone (click here to view). If you have to register as a sexual offender, this can preclude where you work or live. The attorneys at Samdperil & Welsh have the knowledge to help navigate these laws and will fight vigorously on your behalf.
If you have more questions, if you have been charged with a sex crime in NH, or if you are a suspect in an on-going investigation, call us to speak with an experienced NH criminal defense lawyer or set up an appointment.
“Richard Samdperil provided an exemplary level of professionalism and efficiency along with a compassionate understanding of my situation. I’d spoken to numerous attorneys before requesting assistance from Richard and am honestly so happy that I did.”
