Manchester, NH Criminal Defense Attorneys

Fight Your Charges & Protect Your Future

When you’re arrested in Manchester, everything happens fast—and it hits even faster. One moment you’re walking down Elm Street, maybe leaving a restaurant or bar, and the next? You’re in a cruiser with your hands behind your back. You don’t know what’s going to happen next. You don’t even know where to begin.

You’re not alone. From the West Side to the North End, people from every walk of life in Manchester have faced criminal charges. Some were in the wrong place at the wrong time. Some made one bad choice. But all of them felt what you’re feeling now: fear, pressure, and total uncertainty.

At Horn Wright, LLP, we step into that moment with you. We’ve defended people inside Manchester District Court and Hillsborough County Superior Court (North) for years. We’ve seen how prosecutors build their cases—and we know how to tear them down. Let us take that weight off your shoulders, so you can focus on getting your life back.

What You’re Up Against in Manchester

Criminal charges in Manchester range from disorderly conduct to felony-level drug or violent offenses. Local law enforcement and prosecutors don’t hesitate—they move fast and charge aggressively. That means you need to act quickly to protect your rights and options.

Here are the types of charges we most often defend:

• Misdemeanors like simple assault, shoplifting, and disorderly conduct
• Felonies, including aggravated assault, burglary, and fentanyl trafficking
• DWI charges, often tied to stops on I-293 or downtown patrol zones

Even a misdemeanor can lead to jail time, probation, fines, and a record that haunts you for years. We step in early to review the charges, preserve your options, and build the strongest defense possible.

Assault & Violent Crime: When Your Reputation’s on the Line

Few things damage a person’s reputation faster than a violent crime accusation. And in Manchester, the system doesn’t waste time. If there’s any sign of aggression—or a domestic call turns heated—you may be charged before you’ve said a word.

Types of cases we commonly see include:

• Simple assault, often a shove or slap
• Aggravated assault, where a weapon is alleged or injuries are serious
• Domestic violence, especially in relationships or family disputes

New Hampshire law (RSA 631) brings real weight with these charges. Convictions can mean jail, probation, counseling programs, or no-contact orders that change your living situation. But what’s in the police report isn’t always the full story.

We push back. We interview witnesses, review footage, and expose inconsistencies. Sometimes the “aggressor” wasn’t aggressive at all. Sometimes it was self-defense. And sometimes? The case should never have been filed to begin with.

DWI in Manchester: A Common Charge with Life-Changing Consequences

You go out with friends downtown. You have a drink—maybe two. You feel okay to drive. Next thing you know, you’re pulled over on South Willow Street, and the officer’s asking you to step out of the car.

A DWI conviction in Manchester can lead to:

• A license suspension starting at 90 days
• Fines and surcharges that exceed $1,200
• Required classes like the Impaired Driver Care Management Program
• Jail time, even on a first offense if your BAC is high enough
• Ignition interlock devices, installed at your expense

But here’s what many people don’t realize: the state still has to prove its case. Breathalyzers fail. Field sobriety tests are often flawed. Arrests must follow constitutional standards under RSA 265-A and the Fourth Amendment. If something’s off, we’ll find it—and we’ll fight it.

Drug Charges: Fighting the Fallout from Manchester’s Opioid Crackdown

Manchester police and prosecutors come down hard on drug offenses. From routine traffic stops to full-scale task force raids, we see clients arrested every week for charges that range from possession to trafficking.

The most common charges we handle:

• Possession of controlled substances
• Possession with intent to distribute
• Prescription drug fraud
• Fentanyl, heroin, or meth-related trafficking charges

Many of these cases carry potential felony convictions and years in prison under RSA 318-B. And because Manchester is one of the hardest-hit cities in the opioid crisis, enforcement pressure is sky-high.

But an arrest doesn’t mean a conviction. We’ve challenged cases based on:

• Illegal traffic stops or searches
• Mishandled evidence or test kits
• Unreliable confidential informants

We also fight to get clients into diversion or drug court when recovery—not punishment—is what they truly need.

Theft & Property Crimes: When a Misstep Could Cost You Your Future

Manchester has its share of theft and property-related charges—from shoplifting at the Mall of New Hampshire to burglary in residential areas off Mammoth Road. What starts as a minor mistake can quickly escalate.

You could be facing:

• Misdemeanor theft, for items under $1,000
• Felony theft or burglary, for higher-value property or forced entry
• Embezzlement or fraud, especially involving employers

These cases often hinge on intent. Were you trying to take something? Was it yours? Did someone else involve you without your knowledge? We’ve had success getting charges reduced—or dropped—by showing the full picture, not just what appears in the report.

A clean record matters. We fight to protect it.

When Juveniles Are Charged in Manchester: The Stakes Are Personal

A criminal charge involving your child is a different kind of fear. Whether it’s a fight at school or drug-related activity, you’re suddenly navigating a system you never expected to face—and trying to protect their future.

Juvenile charges we often handle include:

• School fights (simple assault)
• Vandalism or trespassing
• Underage drinking or DUI
• Drug possession

In Manchester, these cases typically go through Family Division Court, which leans toward rehabilitation. But the wrong move—talking to police without counsel, missing court dates—can push a manageable case into more serious territory.

We work with families to keep these cases out of the adult system, argue for second chances, and protect their ability to go to school, apply for jobs, and move forward.

Understanding Your Rights: What You Say and Do Matters

Your rights don’t disappear the moment you're stopped by Manchester PD. In fact, how you assert them may shape your entire defense.

Here’s what matters most:

• Don’t consent to a search. Say, “I do not consent,” clearly and calmly.
• Ask for a lawyer. Do it right away. Don’t try to talk your way out.
• Don’t post about your case. Texts and social media can—and will—be used in court.

Whether you’re pulled over near Bridge Street or questioned in your apartment, you are protected by the Fourth, Fifth, and Sixth Amendments. But those protections only work if you know them—and use them.

Horn Wright, LLP: Your Defense Starts Here

When you’re facing a criminal charge in Manchester, time is not on your side—but we are. At Horn Wright, LLP, we’ve built our reputation by fighting hard and treating our clients like people, not case files. We know these courts. We know this city. And we know how much your life can change—if you get the right help at the right time.

If you’re ready to hire one of the best law firms in America, we’re ready to fight for you.

Call our Manchester office today at (603) 716-9415. Don’t wait. Your future is worth it.