There are many reasons why you should hire a New Hampshire criminal defense attorney to represent you at an initial appearance or arraignment. Although the purpose of an initial appearance is limited, it allows your attorney to begin advocating for you. And proper representation at the arraignment is crucial for protecting your rights. At these proceedings, your attorney should:

• Review the accusatory instrument. Your attorney should challenge it if it fails to establish probable cause or if you are not the person named in the charge.
• Seek your release on bail. Even having an argument about bail may force the prosecution to reveal additional evidence about your case to justify a high bail request.
• Demand that the prosecution preserve evidence that might otherwise be destroyed, such as 911 tapes, voicemail messages, phone records, emails, and blood samples.
• Serve discovery requests demanding such things as witness statements and pre-trial identifications.
• Give notice of your intent to testify in the grand jury, if required by local rules.
• Talk to or obtain the names of any prosecution witnesses.
• Talk to the arresting officer about such things as your cooperativeness, the victim’s credibility, and the officer’s amenability to pre-trial diversion or dismissal in return for restitution.
• Document your injuries if the police hurt you. Your attorney should have a third party (not your attorney, so he or she can testify) photograph and describe your injuries.
• Inform the court of your need for medical treatment if you are in custody, and help you receive medical treatment if you are free on bail.

These are only some of the services your New Hampshire criminal defense attorney can provide. For a free evaluation of your case, please contact experienced defense attorney Sven Wiberg at 603-686-5454.