Criminal Defense Attorneys in Portsmouth, NH
A DUI or other charge after a night out in Portsmouth is usually prosecuted in Rockingham County, and early help matters. A New Hampshire criminal defense attorney serving Portsmouth will review your case for free.
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How we match your Portsmouth criminal defense case
When you submit a Portsmouth criminal defense matter, we route it through a national network of independent partner firms and put it in front of the one that fits best — based on the kind of case it is, what it is likely to involve, where it has to be handled, and who has capacity to take it on now.
Case type
A criminal defense matter needs someone who handles criminal defense work day to day, not a generalist. Practice area is the first filter.
Size and complexity
Some firms are built for catastrophic injury and multi-party litigation; others resolve straightforward claims quickly. We weigh what your matter is likely to involve against how each firm actually works.
Jurisdiction and licensing
Your matter is decided under New Hampshire law, so it goes to an attorney licensed in New Hampshire who regularly appears where your case would be heard.
Capacity and fit
Availability, conflicts of interest and language all matter. If the best-fit firm cannot take your case, we route it to the next one that can — or tell you plainly when no one in the network is the right answer.
Every partner reviews your case for free. Injury and workers’ compensation matters are handled on contingency — no fee unless you win. Other matters are quoted upfront, before you commit to anything.
DearLegal provides marketing and matching services and is not a law firm. Submitting a case does not create an attorney-client relationship. Matches depend on case type, jurisdiction and firm availability.
Criminal Defense cases in Portsmouth
More about legal help in Portsmouth →Portsmouth's downtown bar and restaurant district draws heavy weekend crowds, which drives DWI stops, disorderly conduct arrests, and assault charges, while I-95 and the Route 1 Bypass generate traffic-based stops and drug charges. Misdemeanor cases from Portsmouth are typically handled in the Rockingham County Circuit Court, and felonies proceed to Rockingham County Superior Court; some matters involving the interstate or federal property can end up in federal court. Early decisions about statements, testing, and license consequences shape everything after. DearLegal matches you with a New Hampshire-licensed attorney who handles criminal defense cases in Portsmouth, with a free review.
- Portsmouth misdemeanors are generally heard in the Rockingham County Circuit Court, with felonies handled in Rockingham County Superior Court.
- Downtown nightlife and summer tourism drive DWI, disorderly conduct, and assault arrests.
- An arrest across the river in Kittery is a Maine case prosecuted in Maine courts, not New Hampshire's.
New Hampshire criminal defense rules at a glance
Portsmouth cases run under New Hampshire law. The full walkthrough — timeline, when to call, case types, and what a recovery can include — is on the New Hampshire page.
Read the full New Hampshire criminal defense guide →- Felony Statute of Limitations
No limit
No limit for murder, sexual assaults against minors (with discovery rule); 6 years for most felonies; 1 year for misdemeanors (RSA 625:8)
- Misdemeanor Statute of Limitations
1 year
1 year for misdemeanors generally (RSA 625:8)
- Sentencing Structure
Class A-B
Class A-B felony / misdemeanor grading under RSA 625:9; extended term under RSA 651:6 for repeat offenders and dangerous offenses; murder mandatory minimums (RSA 630:1-a)
- Expungement / Record Sealing
3 years
Annulment under RSA 651:5 — eligible after 3 years (Class A misdemeanor), 5-10 years (felonies); broad eligibility but specific exclusions; non-conviction annulment immediate
- Bail / Pretrial Release
Bail
Bail under RSA 597; constitutional right to bail with exceptions (N.H. Const. Pt. 1, Art. 33); preventive detention provisions for dangerousness
- Typical attorney fee
Hourly
Hourly / Flat Fee
Exhibit D
How much do Portsmouth criminal defense attorneys cost?
Typical fee schedule
New Hampshire · Criminal Defense
Illustrative only. Your fee terms are set in a written agreement with your attorney and may include costs and expenses regardless of outcome.
Criminal Defense matters in New Hampshire are usually a flat fee per filing — quoted before you commit, not billed by the hour.
Criminal defense attorneys in New Hampshire work on hourly or flat-fee retainers — contingency fees are prohibited in criminal cases under N.H. R. Prof. Conduct 1.5(d) and ABA Model Rule 1.5(d). Misdemeanors and most felonies are flat-fee; complex cases use hourly billing. The New Hampshire Public Defender represents indigent defendants statewide.
A good attorney walks through every number at your free consultation — before you sign anything.
Exhibit F
Portsmouth criminal defense questions, answered
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Criminal Defense attorneys by city in New Hampshire
Same New Hampshire rules and the same attorneys — with what’s local to each city.
