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DWI, Criminal Defense.
Experienced Representation
With years of trial experience, our criminal defense attorneys take will take whatever approach is necessary to achieve the optimal outcome, either through litigation, negotiation or both.
Criminal Defense
With over 22 years of experience, Joseph Prieto has devoted his career to protecting the rights of those charged with criminal offenses. With the trial skills and legal resources necessary to fight at every step of a case.
Collections
Prieto Law provides both commercial and residential debt collecting services for many types of clients.
Landlord / Tenant Evictions
Landlords are not allowed to willfully violate the right the tenant has to a quiet enjoyment of the property they are renting.
Real Estate
Prieto Law has a history of resolving disputes quickly, before they escalate and require costly litigation for both parties. Whether the rented property is your residence, place of business, or source of income.
A Local Trial Lawyer with Deep Experience—and Real Answers
For a decade, Joe Prieto served as a public defender, handling serious criminal matters daily and trying case after case to verdict. For the last ten years, he has built a private practice focused on criminal defense with a particular concentration on DWI/DUI and DMV issues. That two-track background matters: it means he’s seen how cases are actually won (and lost), how judges think, and how to protect clients from the hidden, real-world fallout that often matters most.
A local by background and practice, Joe knows the judges, clerks, and prosecutors who make these courts run. He has tried hundreds of jury trials and well over a thousand bench trials, bringing steady, informed judgment to every decision—what to challenge, when to negotiate, and when to take a stand in court.
DWI/DMV cases are full of traps: administrative deadlines, license suspensions, ignition interlock, insurance and employment consequences, and other collateral issues that don’t show up on the charging paper. Joe helps you navigate all of it—criminal court and DMV—so you can make clear, informed choices at every step.
Practice Areas
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Arson
Arson is knowingly starting a fire or causing an explosion which unlawfully damages the property of another.
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Assault
Simple assault, 1st or 2nd degree Assault: Assault is an unprivileged physical contact that may or may not result in injury to another.
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Burglary
Burglary is typically defined as the unlawful entry into almost any structure (not just a home or business) with the intent to commit any crime inside (not just theft/larceny). No physical breaking and entering is required; the offender may simply trespass through an open door.
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Crimes Against Persons
Crimes against persons consist of a broad array of different types of offenses which usually involve bodily harm or a threat of bodily harm. Despite this similarity, the offenses have a number of key distinctions ranging from where they occur and who was victimized, to whether physical injury was involved.
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Crimes Against Property
Property crimes include many common crimes relating to theft or destruction of someone else’s property. They can range from lower level offenses such as shoplifting or vandalism to high level felonies including armed robbery and arson.
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DWI/DUI
Driving while impaired to any degree by alcohol/drugs or any other substance. Field sobriety tests and/or blood/breath or urine test are often involved.
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Harassment
Harassment refers to a broad number of behaviors that are subject to both criminal punishment and civil liability.
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Hate Crimes
These crimes carry enhanced penalties if the state can prove that the offense was motivated by racial, sexual, or other prejudice.
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Kidnapping / False Imprisonment
Description goes hereUnder NH state law, kidnapping/ false imprisonment is commonly defined as the taking of a person from one place to another against his or her will, often seen in the context of a domestic situation. No injury is required.
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Marijuana Offenses
In New Hampshire, having even the smallest amount of marijuana is not permitted. Possession of an amount less than ½ ounce is just a fine. Larger amount can be charged as possession with intent to sell which is a felony. A conviction for any amount could affect your gun rights.
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Motor Vehicle Violations
Most traffic tickets are “violation” level offenses — meaning they are considered non-criminal offenses but can have serious collateral consequences that can affect your driving license and immigration status - especially if you are under 20. This includes violations such as speeding, reckless driving, or driving with an expired or suspended license.
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Robbery
Robbery is the crime of taking or attempting to take anything of value by force, threat of force, or by use of fear. According to common law, robbery is defined as taking the property of another, with the intent to permanently deprive the person of that property, by means of force or fear.
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Stalking
Stalking is the act of engaging in a course of conduct targeted at a specific person which would cause a reasonable person to fear for their personal/family safety.
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Theft
The term theft is used widely to refer to crimes involving the taking of a person’s property without their permission.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Regardless of what you plan on pleading, it is vital that you hire a criminal defense lawyer to protect your rights. Just because you got caught, doesn't mean you're guilty! We can help you obtain a lighter sentence, advise you of possible collateral consequences or minimize / completely eliminate your criminal charges, if possible.
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If you’re wondering whether you should contact an attorney, chances are good that you should have already done so. As soon as a criminal defense attorney is involved in your case, he or she can begin developing your case strategy. In fact, you should not talk to law enforcement officers — even if you think you’re only explaining away a simple misunderstanding — without a lawyer present. Be polite, but be firm that you will answer questions only with your attorney by your side.
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Through the legal process, your attorney and the prosecutor’s office might negotiate a plea agreement. This is typically a good way to avoid trial, but will always contain some form of penalty. Based on your lawyer’s recommendations — depending the strength of the prosecutor’s case compared with the strength of your defense — you should consider a plea agreement.
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Depending on the specifics of your case and your history, you can face serious, life-altering consequences upon criminal conviction. Penalties can include fines, restitution, loss of professional license, loss of driving privileges, community service, probation or jail time. Your lawyer can explain the consequences you might face in your case.
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In short, felonies are more serious and carry stricter penalties. The distinction is largely based on the severity of the charge and your criminal record. No matter the severity of your charge, you should have an experienced New Hampshire defense attorney by your side.
Testimonials
Contact
Feel free to contact us with any questions.
Email
Joe@Prietolaw.com
Phone
603-232-2085 (office)
603-289-6110 (cell)