Samdperil & Welsh, PLLC

Criminal Defense

The client was accused of drawing a firearm, a 9mm handgun, at a Portsmouth bar and threatening a bouncer. If convicted of either of the two felony charges he was charged with, the client faced a possible 7 1/2 - 15 year sentence in prison, fines, and the loss of his right to own and carry a firearm. Attorney Richard Samdperil successfully argued that the client was innocent of the accusations. The jury agreed and found the client not guilty.

DUI/DWI Defense

Attorney Joseph Welsh represented a Client charged with DWI in New Hampshire. Client had used the wrong entry way into a public parking lot, struck a parking meter, and not parked the car within the parking lines. Client failed all field sobriety tests and admitted to drinking alcohol. Result: DWI charge was dropped from prosecution. Client pleaded guilty to negligent operation, an offense which carries no license loss.

Criminal Defense

Following a 2-week trial, a jury found a Samdperil & Welsh client not guilty of Manslaughter and Felony Riot charges. The case stemmed from an incident at a bar in Rochester, New Hampshire and was tried in the Strafford County Superior Court in Dover. After hearing from eye-witnesses, police detectives, and expert witnesses in the area of forensic pathology, the jury found the client not guilty of the two charges he was indicted on, and guilty of a lesser charge of Negligent Homicide. As a result of the acquittals and jury’s verdict, the client, who was originally facing a possible 37 years in state prison, was eligible for parole in 2 years.

DUI/DWI Defense

Attorney Welsh represented a client arrested for DUI. The Police reports indicated that the client drank 10-12 beers before being stopped by police. According to the police reports, the client failed all sobriety tests (the HGN, Walk and Turn, One legged Stand). The client also submitted to a breath test, which exceeded the .08 legal limit. The prosecutor brought three alternate theory DUI charges. Result: DUI charges were dismissed. Client pleaded guilty to a lesser, non-alcohol related charge.

Criminal Defense

Following a jury trial, a Grafton County jury acquitted Samdperil & Welsh, PLLC’s client of charges of First Degree Assault and Second Degree Assault. If convicted, the client faced a possible sentence of 7 1/2 - 15 years in state prison. Attorney Richard Samdperil, who represented the client, successfully argued to the jury that his client, who broke the jaw of the alleged victim, had acted in defense of a third person. The jury returned not guilty verdicts after deliberating for approximately 1 hour.

Criminal Defense

Attorney Samdperil’s client was initially indicted on felony burglary charges, but prosecutors agreed to reduce the charges as part of a plea bargain. In this case, the client pled guilty to misdemeanor charges of criminal trespass, and received a sentence of time served and probation. This outcome was particularly significant for the client, who was not a U.S. citizen but has lived in this country since he was 3 years old. A felony conviction would have almost certainly resulted in his deportation.