Laconia NH Criminal Defense Lawyer

Matt tried his first criminal jury trial in 1984, representing a man charged with simple assault, resisting arrest and criminal mischief. The man was found not guilty. Since that time, Matt has represented hundreds of clients charged with criminal cases in the state superior and district courts and the federal district court. The cases that Matt has handled in state court include homicide, sexual assault, burglary, theft, drugs, computer crimes and motor vehicle offenses, including driving while intoxicated (DWI). In federal court, Matt has represented clients charged with bank robbery, drug offenses, theft and fraud. Many of those cases have gone to jury trial, in both the state and federal courts.

The successful defense of a criminal case begins with a thorough understanding of the law and mastering the facts that surround the case. Matt works closely with his client to develop the best defense strategy possible. The prosecution’s case is fully discovered, third party witnesses are identified, and experts are retained. Matt and client, working together, then make a realistic decision as to how the case should proceed. Sound judgment is the most important quality of a defense attorney. If a plea agreement is warranted, Matt will negotiate the best one possible. If the case is one that should be tried, Matt has the experience and skills to defend the case in court, including opening and closing arguments and most importantly, cross-examination of adverse witnesses to determine the truth and accuracy of their testimony. This is a skill that Matt has learned and refined over many years trying hundreds of criminal cases in federal and state courts.

Matt will give you your best chance for a good result.

Recent Case
Client, 19 years old, was charged with two counts of aggravated felonious sexual assault. State alleged that the client provided rum to a 17 year old woman in his car and then assaulted her when she was too intoxicated to resist. A key piece of the State’s evidence was a rum bottle found in client’s car. Matt was able to show definitively through pretrial investigation and cross examination that the bottle had been planted in his client’s vehicle by friends of the woman. The jury found the client not guilty of both counts