Hiring a Criminal Defense Lawyer in New Hampshire
How criminal defense lawyers in New Hampshire charge, your right to a court-appointed lawyer, how bail works, how to check a lawyer's license, and free help. We do not recommend or rank lawyers.
What a lawyer costs in New Hampshire: fee rules
| If you disagree with a lawyer's bill | The New Hampshire Bar Association's Dispute Resolution Committee tries to resolve disputes between NH attorneys and clients that fall short of an ethics violation, including fee questions. The service is free and voluntary; if the attorney declines, the committee cannot proceed. It does not handle fees set by statute, agency rule or court order, or disputes in pending litigation. Send a written notice (names, the attorney's role, whether a case is pending, the facts, the resolution you want and your contact details) to NH Bar Association, Dispute Resolution Committee, 2 Pillsbury Street, Suite 300, Concord, NH 03301, or email NHBA.DRC@nhbar.org. |
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| If a lawyer takes your money | The Public Protection Fund, administered by the New Hampshire Bar Association under Supreme Court Rule 55, reimburses money or property lost through theft or misappropriation by a New Hampshire attorney in New Hampshire, within a client-attorney relationship or while the attorney served as a fiduciary (such as trustee, guardian or conservator), for thefts after June 1, 1998. File within three years of when you discovered (or reasonably should have discovered) the theft, and never more than one year after the attorney is suspended, disbarred, dies or is judged incompetent. The Fund is a last resort: you must show reasonable efforts to collect from the attorney's assets, insurance and sureties, the law firm, and other liable third parties. Send the Statement of Claim form to the NH Bar Association, 2 Pillsbury Street, Suite 300, Concord, NH 03301, Attn: Public Protection Fund Committee; phone 603-715-3289. |
New Hampshire rules to know first
| Getting a court-appointed lawyer | When a defendant charged with a felony or a class A misdemeanor appears without counsel, the court advises the defendant of the right to counsel and that counsel will be appointed if the defendant cannot afford it. The court instructs the defendant to complete a financial statement under oath and, if satisfied the defendant is financially unable to obtain counsel, appoints counsel — first the public defender program (RSA 604-B), then a contract attorney, then any qualified attorney. The court shall appoint counsel without formal application where mental illness interferes with the defendant's ability to communicate or apply. Source: RSA 604-A:2 |
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| Bail and release before trial | At the defendant's appearance, the court orders the person released on personal recognizance or an unsecured appearance bond, released on conditions, or detained. The court shall not impose a financial condition that will result in the pretrial detention of the person solely as a result of that financial condition, unless after a hearing it finds probable cause that no reasonable alternative assures compliance (§ 597:2, IV). The court may detain a person if it finds probable cause that release will not reasonably assure appearance or will endanger the safety of the person or the public (§ 597:2, III(a)). Persons charged with listed qualifying offenses (including homicide, certain assaults, sexual assault, kidnapping and robbery) are not brought before a bail commissioner and are detained pending arraignment, which must occur within 36 hours excluding weekends and holidays (§ 597:2, III(c)). A person charged with a class B misdemeanor is released on personal recognizance pending arraignment unless release would endanger safety (§ 597:2, XIII). A detained person may seek a hearing on reconsideration within 36 hours after the filing of the motion, excluding weekends and holidays (§ 597:2, XIV(a)). Section most recently amended by 2026, 237:2, eff. Jan. 1, 2027 (adds a 72-hour reconsideration schedule for domestic violence, stalking and harassment cases, para. XIII-a). Source: RSA 597:2 |
| Felony classes and sentences | Felonies are class A or class B (§ 625:9). Maximum prison terms under § 651:2, II: class A felony — fifteen years; class B felony — seven years; murder in the second degree — life imprisonment (first-degree murder is sentenced under RSA 630:1-a). Fines for an individual may not exceed $4,000 for a felony (§ 651:2, IV(a)); a corporation or unincorporated association may be fined up to $100,000 for a felony (§ 651:2, IV(b)). A crime outside the code with a maximum term of imprisonment in excess of 7 years is a class A felony; one with a maximum above one year but not above 7 years is a class B felony (§ 625:9). Classification: https://gc.nh.gov/rsa/html/LXII/625/625-9.htm Source: RSA 625:9; RSA 651:2, II, IV |
Find and check a lawyer
| Lawyer referral service | The New Hampshire Bar Association's Lawyer Referral Service (LRS) helps people find a qualified, conveniently located attorney. Call 603-229-0002 and a referral specialist will help clarify your legal issue and refer you to an attorney who handles that type of issue, or use the online referral. LRS charges a nonrefundable $25 administrative fee. The page also links to reduced-fee services. |
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| Check discipline history or file a complaint | The New Hampshire Supreme Court's Attorney Discipline Office (4 Chenell Drive, Suite 102, Concord, NH 03301; 603-224-5828) handles misconduct complaints and can tell you whether complaints have been filed against a lawyer. A grievance is a letter giving the attorney's name and address, a description of the legal matter, a detailed factual account with dates, relevant documents and the proof you would offer (including witnesses). It must be signed under oath: sign the Oath Form before a notary public or justice of the peace, complete the Certification of Copies Form, attach both, and send a copy of the letter and enclosures to the attorney. Grievances cannot be filed by email or fax because they need original signatures. Public disciplinary decisions can be searched on the Attorney Discipline System site. Office address and phone as listed by the NH Bar Association: https://www.nhbar.org/dispute-with-an-attorney/ |
Free legal help
| Free legal aid | 603 Legal Aid generally helps people with low incomes with civil legal problems. Apply online (24/7) or by phone at (603) 224-3333 (intake calls Monday-Wednesday, 9:00 am-12:30 pm; no intake calls Thursday or Friday). After you apply, 603 Legal Aid may schedule a phone appointment for free legal advice, and you may be able to get free legal help. The Legal Services Corporation (LSC) lists 603 Legal Aid as the LSC-funded grantee in the state. LSC grantee list: https://www.lsc.gov/about-lsc/our-grantees |
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All legal help in New Hampshire · Background guide
General legal information, not legal advice. Laws change and local rules can differ; check the linked official source or talk to a lawyer about your situation.