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Criminal Defense

We prize our client relationships and believe our success is due not only to the results we have achieved, but the relationships we have built with our clients. When you're in trouble, you need a lawyer you can trust with your life in a justice system which is intimidating and unfriendly.

At Shaheen& Gordon, we thrive on winning for our clients. As experienced former prosecutors and seasoned defense lawyers our job is to win for our clients, whether working quietly behind the scenes or doing battle in Court. Whether your case is a local district court matter or a significant federal felony charge, a rapid response from your legal team is essential for success. We strongly believe that legal teamwork contributes to our success and the best results for our clients. We match our resources carefully to the situation and to our clients' financial resources.

Usually, a Partner and an associate form the core of the legal team working together to map out strategy, define and research any legal issues that are present and negotiate and/or try the case. The first important step in any criminal case is to find out what the State has for evidence in the case and what the prosecutor believes are the facts underlying a criminal charge. This is called the Discovery phase. This phase may demand both our extensive contact with police and prosecutors and obtaining documents and information relevant to the case through written motions or requests. The personal relationships and our reputation for integrity are important assets to our clients in our contacts with law enforcement. Many clients do not realize that successfully handling a criminal case requires a great deal of effective personal interaction between adversaries. Being able to communicate effectively with the other side may make the difference in the success of the case.

In some cases, we may recommend that our clients retain the services of skilled investigators with whom we work, to conduct our own investigation, locate witnesses, track down necessary documents, take video or photographs or accomplish other important tasks. In many cases, negotiating a disposition is the right way to achieve the best possible result. We work hard to put our clients and ourselves in a position of strength in any negotiation. If a case is not resolved through negotiation and needs to be tried, we prepare thoroughly for trial. In all cases, we supply our clients with information as we receive it. The lawyer-client relationship is, often, intensely personal and involves what we consider a sacred trust.

Even minor entanglements with the criminal justice system may raise potentially very serious immigration consequences for aliens, no matter how many years they have resided in the United States, and no matter how strong their family and community ties are to this Country. As such, we take great care in exploring such potential consequences for ALL our alien clients, and work diligently to achieve a final resolution that, as much as is possible, minimizes the risk of deportation.

As a consequence to our sensitivity to immigration issues, Shaheen & Gordon has successfully crafted plea agreements for alien clients, so as to avoid possible deportation.

In addition, Shaheen & Gordon has successfully represented alien clients in INS Deportation Hearings, after the clients had entered into plea agreements under advice of former counsel which resulted in potentitally significant adverse immigration consequences stemming from such plea agreements.

SOME RECENT SUCCESSES

In a recent trial, Steve Gordon and Bill Christie obtained an acquittal for a client charged with sexual assault. The judge returned a finding of not guilty from the bench immediately following closing arguments.

Dover, New Hampshire: Shaheen & Gordon Partner Paul Hodes and Bill Christie scored a recent victory in the Superior Court. Their clients, a young couple, had been charged with eleven felonies for allegedly embezzling funds from their employer, the owner of a trailer park. The Defense team persistently advocated with the prosecution and litigated a number of issues. Prior to the final pre-trial hearing, the State Nol Prossed (dismissed) all charges citing "lack of evidence".

Boston Massachusetts: United States District Court for the District of Massachusetts a New Hampshire company owner is prosecuted for allegedly "smuggling" hundreds of thousands of dollars to Russia. Through extensive negotiation, an agreement is reached for no charges to be brought against the company. The Company President receives a sentence of probation and serves no jail time.

Concord, New Hampshire: Concord District Court; a youthful client is charged with disorderly conduct, prohibited sales of alcohol to minors and resisting arrest. The client is handcuffed by police and then sprayed with pepper spray. All charges are dismissed either prior to or during trial. Shaheen & Gordon is preparing a civil rights case on the client's behalf.

Dover, New Hampshire: Strafford County Superior Court; a client driving on bald tires collides with an oncoming vehicle resulting in the death of a passenger in the oncoming car. He is charged with negligent homicide and faces extensive jail time. On the eve of trial, the case is resolved through negotiation in which the felony negligent homicide charges are dropped, the client pleads to a misdemeanor with a suspended sentence and a loss of license.

New Hampshire Federal District Court: We recently represented an investment executive charged with computer-related offenses. Utilizing the services of a computer expert, as well as extensive motion practice, we were able to obtain a favorable plea agreement for our client.

DWI LAW

Defending a DWI case (Driving Under The Influence of Drugs or Liquor) requires a lawyer to act quickly and skillfully. Prosecutors and police have become progressively more skilled at presenting a mountain of evidence aimed at conviction. And only a seasoned and skilled defense lawyer is up to the task of combating the onslaught of this evidence.

Lawyers and support staff at Shaheen & Gordon have been defending these cases for decades, and we have followed and kept pace with continuous legislative "reforms." When a client gets arrested for DWI, he or she often feels they have no chance. Information offered by law enforcement is confusing, at best. There is much to know about the justice system and about the particular issues in DWI cases. Under current law, a DWI conviction results in license revocation for a "minimum of 90 days," but that does not mean it gets returned after that period. There are a number of steps that must be taken to become eligible for license restoration. For example; if a client had refused to submit to a blood or breath test at the police officer's request when stopped, there is an additional 180 day period of revocation; attendance at a drunk drivers' school is required; There are new insurance requirements to meet. In addition, there are other legal issues to consider: the effect on your motor vehicle record; Habitual Offender laws; Aggravated DWI; DWI-Second Offense. Our clients need to know the full impact these laws may have on them and their family. No one can afford to minimize the effects of a DWI. Our clients come to us and refer clients to us because they feel well informed and well represented. At Shaheen & Gordon we use all our experience and skill to help our clients through the legal maze and advocate for the best result possible.