Criminal Justice Experience Counts
The law office's greatest strength is Attorney Rick St. Hilaire's extensive criminal justice experience in New Hampshire state courts. Before entering private law practice in 2009, Attorney St. Hilaire was a 15 year veteran prosecutor who served as a county attorney, an assistant county attorney, and a district court prosecutor.
Attorney St. Hilaire's intimate knowledge of the NH criminal justice system helps clients charged with a criminal offense gain greater insight into the prosecution's investigative, plea negotiation, and trial strategies.
Rick St. Hilaire is an AVVO rated "Superb" lawyer who represents clients in all New Hampshire state courts from locations in Lebanon NH and Concord NH. He has been practicing law since 1993, and is a seasoned litigator and negotiator who has concluded countless criminal cases over his legal career through trial or negotiation.
The law office provides criminal defense in all types of cases, including
General NH Criminal Defense - Felony | Misdemeanor | Violation
If you have been charged with a felony, misdemeanor, or violation level offense in a New Hampshire state or county court, there are many consequences that could result, including jail, fines, probation/parole, and more. That's why you need an attorney to stand by you through the entire New Hampshire criminal court process.
Attorney Rick St. Hilaire handles all aspects of criminal defense from the arraignment and bail hearing to plea negotiations and trial. He is a New Hampshire lawyer who handles both complex and simple cases ranging from aggravated DWI, arson, burglary, criminal mischief, conspiracy, embezzlement, fraud, forgery, and manslaughter to negligent homicide, obstruction of justice, prohibited sales, riot, shoplifting, theft, trespass, willful concealment, witness tampering, and more.
DWI / DUI and Administrative License Suspension
License loss, jail, fines, higher insurance premiums, and fees are the potential consequences facing you if you have been charged with driving while under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs. Attorney Rick St. Hilaire has been handling New Hampshire DWI / DUI cases since 1995. Have him represent you in your DWI / DUI case through the criminal court process and through the Administrative License Suspension hearing at the NH Bureau of Hearings. Call to find out your trial defenses or other options that can minimize the affect of a DWI / DUI conviction on your life. See if your case can be dismissed or dropped down to a lesser offense such as reckless driving. DWI / DUI is a serious charge that can result in quick license loss, so getting legal counsel right away for your DWI / DUI case is important.
Major Motor Vehicle Offenses and Habitual Offender
Reckless operation, negligent driving, operating after suspension, driving after DWI suspension, and other major motor vehicle violations in New Hampshire can add points to your license, cause license loss, or even land you in jail. If you have too many traffic convictions or a combination of serious offenses, you could be given "Habitual Offender" status by the NH Division of Motor Vehicles and have your license suspended or revoked for a long time. It is a felony crime if you drive as an habitual offender. Attorney Rick St. Hilaire has handled many motor vehicle trials and plea negotiations over the years, and he can give you the advice you need.
Possession of Drugs and Controlled Substances
Possession of drugs is a criminal offense in New Hampshire that could result in a fine, incarceration, and/or probation or parole. A drug conviction can also affect a person's eligibility for Section 8 housing or federal student fianncial aid. And there may be other consequences related to employment, child custody, access to federal grants or loans, eligibility for food stamps or welfare, issuance of a passport, and immigration status, and more. It is very important to have legal representation when charged with a crime related to marijuana, cocaine, heroin, mushrooms, percocet, oxycodone, or other controlled drugs or narcotics.
Drug possession cases are either charged as misdemeanors or felonies depending on the type of substance possessed. Small amounts of marijuana are typically charged as misdemeanor offenses punishable by a fine or, in some cases, by jail. Possession of small amounts of Schedule I drugs such as heroin, ecstasy, or LSD; Schedule II drugs such as cocaine, methadone, or methamphetamine; Schedule III drugs such as Vicodin or Suboxone; Schedule IV drugs such as diazepam, Klonopin, or Xanax; or Schedule V drugs like cough syrup with codeine are punishable as felony offenses.
Many drug possession cases turn on whether the police conducted a legal search and seizure. Attorney St. Hilaire has taught many New Hampshire police officers about search and seizure law, and he has worked with the NH State Police Drug Task Force on dozens of cases. That's why he knows how to represent client's charged with possession of drug charges.
Rick St. Hilaire also knows a lot about drug use and addiction. That is why Attorney St. Hilaire initiated New Hampshire's second superior court-level drug court, so that addicted offenders could get a second chance at life and liberty. He will give you honest advice about where to seek help for addiction and work with you to advocate a court sentence that may give you the fresh start you need.
Alcohol Offenses
You may be facing a criminal charge in New Hampshire of prohibited sales, unlawful possession of alcohol (minor in possession), or some other alcohol offense. Attorney Rick St. Hilaire has handled alcohol-related cases for many years. See what options you may have under NH law law and how your rights can be protected.
White Collar Crimes | Police & Government Investigations
Embezzlement, fraud, public corruption, and other white-collar crimes investigated by the government are serious offenses that require a defense at the earliest stages of a case. It is the best way to preserve your rights and to improve your chances of making it through the justice system as successfully as possible. Attorney St. Hilaire has years of experience handling complex theft, fraud, and corruption cases in the NH criminal justice system. He understands how police investigators build their cases because he used to spearhead these investigations himself. So he knows how to defend you.
Theft | Shoplifting | Burglary | Issuing Bad Checks
Whether you have been charged with a felony or misdemeanor theft-related crime in New Hampshire, get advice about your options. Attorney St. Hilaire has tried many theft cases before juries and judges, and he taught police and prosecutors over 15 years how to investigate and prosecute these matters. He knows how the police handle thefts, shoplifting, burglary, bad checks, and other theft and fraud cases so he knows how to defend you and your rights.
Probation and Parole Violations
The plain answer is that probation and parole violations in New Hampshire are often easy for the prosecution to prove because they do not require proof beyond a reasonable doubt. If there is a legal defense to a violation, you should be informed and aggressively defended. But many probation and parole violations require an attorney to vigorously help you get the best sentence you can. Attorney St. Hilaire knows about creative sentencing alternatives that can benefit you, and he knows how to effectively argue for the best sentencing options that might be available to you. Attorney St. Hilaire handles violations for failing to report to a probation/parole officer, failing a drug or alcohol test, committing a new crime, and more.
Vehicular Homicide | Negligent Homicide | Manslaughter | Felony DWI
Facing criminal charges in New Hampshire for vehicular homicide or assault--such as manslaughter, negligent homicide, vehicular assault, or DWI / DUI with death or injury resulting--is serious. Oftentimes these charges are brought by a grand jury against people who never thought they would ever set foot in a criminal courtroom. That is why you need an experienced attorney who knows about vehicular crash cases in New Hampshire. Attorney Rick St. Hilaire has investigated dozens of crash scenes, taught numerous crash scene classes to police and prosecutors, and has handled many trials and plea negotiations involving serious motor vehicle cases. He understands the science of toxicology, the theories behind Technical Accident Reconstruction, the significance of different roadway markings, the proper way to conduct a "24 hour background," and the many other elements that make up a crash investigation and prosecution.
Annulments / Expungements
Don't let your New Hampshire criminal or arrest record follow you for the rest of your life. Erase your record through the annulment process. Attorney Rick St. Hilaire can help you work toward getting a fresh start. The time periods to annul are generally one year for a violation, three years for a misdemeanor, and more years for a felony. And New Hampshire law covering annulments has changed since January 1, 2013, so you want to know as much about how it may affect you. Contact the law office to get the help you need to expunge your criminal record. Learn more about annulments and the criminal court process here.
New Hampshire Criminal Defense
Search among the top criminal defense lawyers, the best New Hampshire criminal attorneys in Concord NH and Lebanon NH, and serving Hanover NH, Dartmouth College, Claremont NH, Newport NH and more and consider NH criminal attorney, NH criminal defense lawyer, and former chief prosecutor Rick St. Hilaire. Criminal law practice areas include possession of drugs / drug possession, alcohol offenses, drunk driving, DWI / DUI, felony / felonies, misdemeanor, traffic offenses, theft, shoplifting, alcohol, white collar, burglary, embezzlement, fraud, vehicular homicide, negligent homicide, manslaughter, habitual offender, arson, probation violations, forgery, obstruction of justice, and witness tampering. Areas served include: Concord, Lebanon, Hanover, Grafton County, Merrimack County, Sullivan County, Belknap County, Manchester, Enfield, Canaan, Plainfield, Cornish, Lyme, Grantham, Orford, Grafton, Haverhill, North Haverhill, Woodsville, Littleton, Lisbon, Piermont, Grantham, New London, Newport, Sunapee, Warner, Hopkinton, Henniker, Bow, Hooksett, Penacook, Allenstown, Hampstead, Pembroke, Contoocook, Laconia, Loudon, Belmont, New Hampton, Tilton, Franklin, Plymouth, Campton, Bristol, Lincoln, Conway, Lancaster, Claremont, Bow, Hooksett, Loudon, Chichester, Allenstown, Dartmouth College. 43.707173,-72.283098; 43.203936,-71.538882.
Copyright 2010-2013 Ricardo A. St. Hilaire, Attorney & Counselor at Law, PLLC
10 Green St., Concord, NH 03301; 20 West Park St., Lebanon, NH 03766 (877) 603-8777
Former chief prosecutor Rick St. Hilaire is a New Hampshire criminal attorney who represents clients in all New Hampshire state courts from locations in Concord NH and Lebanon NH. He provides criminal defense for complex and simple felony crimes, misdemeanors, DWI / DUI cases, violations, motor vehicle offenses, and many other crimes and charges.
This Concord (Merrimack Valley) and Lebanon (Upper Valley) criminal attorney and DWI / DUI attorney, and Concord and Lebanon criminal defense lawyer and DWI / DUI lawyer web site is designed for general information only. The information presented should not be construed to be formal legal advice nor the formation of a lawyer/client relationship. The criminal defense attorney is licensed in New Hampshire, and the web site is not intended to solicit criminal defense clients or DWI / DUI clients outside the state. The office is not affiliated with St. Hilaire Law. Do not send confidential information through this web site.
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Serving Lebanon, Hanover, Grafton County, and Sullivan County
20 West Park St., Suite 207,
Lebanon NH 03766
Serving Concord, Merrimack County and Belknap County
The Meeting Place 10 Green St., Concord NH 03301
NH Crimial Law Answers
Toll Free 877-603-8777
Put a former chief prosecutor on your side.
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(877) 603-8777
Past NH Criminal Case Results
Past results do not guarantee similar outcomes.
- Minimum license loss imposed at
HabitualOffender certification hearing in case
involving aggravated DWI and negligent driving.
May 2013
- Habitual Offender's license status restored. April
2013
- DWI, drug, and motor vehicle charges resulted in
minimum DWI penalties, diversion of one drug
charge without conviction, dismissal of all other
charges, and ALS dropped. March 2013
- DWI with .15 BAC resulted in minimum
penalties and ALS dropped. February 2013
- Felony second degree assualt with 2 year prison
recommendation from prosecution dropped to
violation level offense and fine. February 2013
- DWI dropped to reckless driving. January 2013
- Aggravated DWI with crash resulting and multiple
charges negotiated to minimum penalties, ALS
dropped, and balance of charges dropped.
November 2012
- Prior felon who served previous time in prison
sentenced to negotiated agreement of house
arrest on habitual offender charge. October 2012
- Misuse of plates charge negotiated to lesser
offense of improper registration and minimum fine.
October 2012
- DWI with accident resulting and conduct after an
accident charge negotiated to aggravated DWI
minimum penatlies; conduct after charge and ALS
dismissed. October 2012
- Misdemeanor DWI dropped down to violation level
reckless operation offense. ALS withdrawn.
August 2012
- Misdemeanor operating after suspended
registration charge placed on file without a finding
of guilt. August 2012
- Misdemeanor possession of marijuana reduced to
violation (non-criminal) offense); unlawful
possession of alcohol placed on file; open
container charge dismissed. July 2012
- DWI reduced to Reckless Operation and Speed,
and ALS withdrawn. June 2012
- DWI third offense with mandatory 30 days jail
reduced to DWI second offense; 2 year ALS loss of
license dropped; and companion motor vehicle
charge dropped. June 2012
- Case involving multiple fradulent use of credit card
charges from three jurisdictions resolved without
jail time. May 2012
- DWI negotiated to minimum penalties and the ALS
dropped. April 2012
- DWI subsequent offense dropped and ALS
dropped. Charges annulled from record. April
2012/August 2012
- Theft charge resolved without court conviction.
April 2012
- Misdemeanor drug offense dropped to violation
level (non-criminal) offense. April 2012
- Interlock device authorization granted by court and
drivers license restored for out of state habitual
offender client without client having to return to NH.
April 2012
- Criminal investigation into theft/shoplifting
concluded without charges filed against client.
March 2012
- DWI case negotiated with reduced license loss
and dropped ALS. March 2012
- Felony case reduced to misdemeanor and
dropped charges. February 2012
- Fugitive from justice and probation violations in
felony case resolved without jail time. February
2012
- Felony theft case of ~$60,000 resolved with no
prison or jail time. February 2012
- "Must appear" speeding case resolved with mail-in
ticket. February 2012
- Class A misdemeanor DWI/DUI subsequent
offense dropped to first offense without mandatory
jail sentence. January 2012
- Misdemeanor theft results in no conviction.
Deferred prosecution agreement entered. January
2012
- Class A misdemeanor theft charge dropped to
noncriminal violation level offense. January 2012
- Class A misdemeanor theft charge dropped to
noncriminal violation level offense. December
2011
- Class A misdemeanor drug case sent to diversion
program, avoiding criminal conviction. December
2011
- HO certification backdated, shortening license
loss. October 2011
- Theft and fraud charges successfully steered away
from felony indictment. Plea agreement to
misdemeanors with suspended jail time and
reduced restitution. October 2011
- Class A misdemeanor assault case dropped
through conditional nolle prosequi agreement.
October 2011
- DWI dropped to reckless operation; ALS dropped.
September 2011
- DWI subsequent offense reduced to DWI first
offense, avoiding mandatory jail time;
administrative license suspension (ALS)
withdrawn by prosecution; companion charge
dropped. August 2011
- Assault charge expunged from record. August
2011
- DWI negotiated to minimum penalties and
backdated license loss; 6 months ALS license
loss dismissed by prosecution. July 2011.
- DWI charge dropped to reckless operation;
administrative license suspension (ALS)
dismissed. July 2011
- Unlawful possession of alcohol charges and
misdemeanor breach of bail case concluded
without license loss for client (prosecution sought
180 days loss of license) and without a criminal
conviction; the misdemeanor charge was placed
on file without a finding. July 2011
- Incarceration bound felony drug offender
sentenced to no jail time. June 2011
- Reckless driving dropped to negligent driving.
Failure to appear dismissed along with arrest
warrant. June 2011
- Administrative License Suspension dismissed.
June 2011
- Felony threatening charge dismissed. Apr 2011
- Misdemeanor assault charge dismissed. Feb
2011
- Aggravated DWI dropped to DWI. Feb 2011
- Two felony charges conditionally dismissed in
firearms case, avoiding 3-6 year minimum
mandatory sentence. Jan 2011
- Operating after suspension charge dropped to
operating w/o valid license; out of state client did
not have to appear in court. Jan 2011
- Close to minimum penalties sentence in high BAC DWI case. Jan 2011
- Charges not filed against client in underage
drinking case. Nov 2010
- Misdemeanor shoplifting charge dropped to a
non-criminal, violation offense. Nov 2010
- Misdemeanor shoplifting charge dismissed upon
client's entry into a diversion program. Oct 2010
- Misdemeanor DWI / DUI dropped to violation level
reckless driving charge. Sept 2010
- Secured personal recognizance bail following
superior court hearing where prosecutor asked for
$10,000 bail. Sept 2010
- Two misdemeanor assault charges against client conditionally dismissed by prosecution. Charges
annulled. Sept 2010
- Two criminal charges against client dropped to
one non-criminal violation level offense. Sept
2010
- US Justice Department probe of client closed
without action. Aug 2010
Past results do not guarantee similar outcomes
as each client's case is unique.
An experienced and trusted criminal justice lawyer who can help
you with your criminal case.
