Lowther | Walker provides sophisticated federal criminal defense representation to clients across the District of New Hampshire. Our federal attorneys bring deep experience defending against healthcare fraud, financial crimes, drug conspiracy, and white-collar prosecutions in the U.S. District Court in Concord and throughout New England.
From Manchester’s business corridor to Portsmouth’s seaport, from Nashua’s tech companies to rural communities in the North Country, our New Hampshire federal criminal defense lawyers have successfully defended professionals, business owners, and individuals facing serious federal investigations and indictments and respond to coordinated investigations by the FBI, DEA, IRS-CI, and HHS-OIG.
Schedule your free, confidential consultation with a local New Hampshire federal attorney.
Hours: 24/7
No-obligation. Fully confidential.
Call Us Today: (404) 496-4052
All federal prosecutions in the state proceed through the U.S. District Court for the District of New Hampshire, located in Concord, with magistrate and district judges overseeing criminal proceedings from indictment to sentencing. Though the rules of federal procedure apply nationwide, New Hampshire’s court has its own local practices and judicial preferences—knowledge of which can significantly affect defense strategy and timing.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office in Concord coordinates with regional federal law enforcement offices in Boston and Portland, Maine. Many investigations begin in Massachusetts but extend into New Hampshire when conduct crosses state lines, particularly in drug trafficking, online financial crimes, and healthcare billing cases.
Federal investigations in New Hampshire frequently originate with:
FBI field offices in Bedford and Boston investigating white-collar and cybercrime cases
DEA task forces targeting opioid and fentanyl distribution networks operating along I-93 and I-95
IRS-Criminal Investigation units examining tax evasion, payroll schemes, and unreported income
HHS-OIG teams reviewing Medicare and Medicaid billing by New Hampshire healthcare providers
Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) agents pursuing money laundering and cross-border import violations
Grand juries meet regularly in Concord to determine whether evidence presented by prosecutors warrants indictment. Most defendants first learn they are under investigation when served with subpoenas, target letters, or search warrants—moments that require immediate legal counsel.
After indictment or arrest, defendants appear before a magistrate judge for arraignment and a detention hearing. New Hampshire’s federal court applies the Bail Reform Act to assess:
Flight risk (especially given proximity to Canada and Massachusetts)
Community ties and employment history
Nature of charges and potential mandatory minimum sentences
Prior criminal record
Danger to the community
Federal prosecutors in New Hampshire often seek detention in major drug conspiracy or firearm cases, while judges may release defendants in white-collar matters under strict pretrial supervision. The outcome of this hearing determines whether you can assist in your defense from home or from a detention facility such as Strafford County.
Federal discovery involves massive document production, particularly in healthcare, financial, and cybercrime cases. Defense attorneys must carefully review:
FBI 302 and DEA 6 investigative reports
Grand jury transcripts and subpoenaed materials
Digital forensic data from seized devices
Financial statements, tax filings, and banking records
Expert analyses and laboratory results
Cooperation and plea agreements of government witnesses
Our team ensures every disclosure is complete and challenges withheld or incomplete evidence that may violate Brady obligations.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office in Concord manages a substantial caseload with limited prosecutorial staff. This dynamic can create opportunities for early negotiations and charge reductions. Plea discussions may result in:
Dismissal of counts carrying mandatory minimums
Sentencing stipulations under the Guidelines
Cooperation-based downward departures
Deferred prosecution or pretrial diversion in select cases
Because New Hampshire is part of the First Circuit, plea and sentencing outcomes often align with Massachusetts federal precedent. Our attorneys leverage that appellate authority to pursue favorable resolutions whenever possible.
Lowther | Walker aggressively litigates pretrial motions to exclude or suppress evidence obtained through unconstitutional searches or defective warrants. Common filings include:
Motions to suppress evidence from vehicle or digital searches
Motions to dismiss indictments for lack of probable cause
Franks motions challenging false statements in affidavits
Motions to compel additional discovery
Severance motions in multi-defendant cases
Federal judges in New Hampshire often hold detailed evidentiary hearings where cross-examination of law enforcement officers can dramatically weaken the government’s case.
Trials in the District of New Hampshire follow standard federal procedures with jurors drawn from across the state’s ten counties. Juries from rural areas may view law enforcement testimony differently than those from southern urban regions, requiring strategic jury selection.
Trial stages include:
Jury selection (voir dire)
Opening statements
Government’s presentation of evidence
Defense presentation and witness examination
Closing arguments
Jury deliberation and verdict
Complex cases—particularly conspiracy and fraud matters—can span weeks and involve digital forensics, expert witnesses, and extensive financial documentation.
Sentencing in New Hampshire applies the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines with discretion for variance based on mitigating factors. Key considerations include:
Offense level and criminal history score
Role in the offense (leader, organizer, or minor participant)
Acceptance of responsibility
Cooperation with authorities
Potential departures under 5K1.1 or safety valve relief
Federal judges in New Hampshire are known for careful, individualized sentencing—balancing punishment with rehabilitation and restitution when appropriate.
Defendants convicted or sentenced in the District of New Hampshire may appeal to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the First Circuit in Boston. Common appeal issues include:
Improper evidentiary rulings
Jury instruction errors
Sentencing miscalculations
Insufficient evidence for conviction
Prosecutorial misconduct
The First Circuit’s precedent heavily influences plea negotiations and sentencing practices in Concord. Lowther | Walker prepares each case from the outset with potential appellate arguments in mind.
New Hampshire’s healthcare sector, including hospitals in Manchester, Nashua, and Lebanon, is subject to intense federal oversight. We represent physicians, nurse practitioners, pharmacists, and medical administrators accused of false claims, upcoding, or kickbacks. Our strategies challenge statistical extrapolations, defend medical judgment, and expose weaknesses in government expert testimony.
Federal prosecutors in New Hampshire pursue wire fraud, tax evasion, and investment-related fraud cases against local business owners and financial professionals. We defend against allegations involving corporate accounting, PPP loans, or cryptocurrency transactions, emphasizing the difference between business error and criminal intent.
Opioid and fentanyl prosecutions remain top priorities in New Hampshire’s federal docket. We represent individuals accused of conspiracy, possession with intent, and distribution. Our team contests drug quantity calculations, challenges cooperating witnesses, and seeks relief from mandatory minimums under safety valve provisions.
Lowther | Walker defends executives and professionals accused of public corruption, mail fraud, or embezzlement. We understand the business realities behind complex financial decisions and build defenses emphasizing lack of criminal intent and procedural overreach by investigators.
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Murdoch Walker’s former experience with federal task forces provides critical perspective on how U.S. Attorneys and agents build cases. We anticipate government tactics and expose evidentiary weaknesses before trial.
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We’ve achieved successful outcomes in some of the largest federal prosecutions nationwide. That level of expertise is applied to every New Hampshire case, no matter the size or complexity.
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We understand local practices, judges, and procedural preferences in Concord’s federal court and how they differ from neighboring jurisdictions.
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Federal searches and subpoenas demand rapid legal intervention. Our attorneys are available 24/7 to protect your rights and begin immediate case assessment.
From the Seacoast to the White Mountains, Lowther | Walker provides proactive, strategic federal criminal defense throughout the state. If federal agents are investigating your business, searching your home, or requesting an interview, call our federal attorneys at (404) 496-4052 and begin your defense backed by the nation’s leaders in federal crimes defense.
No-obligation. Fully confidential.
Call Us Today: (404) 496-4052
Yes. Physicians, pharmacists, or patients accused of improper prescribing or diversion of controlled substances can face federal charges under the Controlled Substances Act, often following investigations by the DEA and HHS-OIG.
Most investigations involve the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General (HHS-OIG), the FBI, DEA (for prescription-related issues), and the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Concord.
Do not speak without legal counsel. Statements to federal agents (18 U.S.C. § 1001) can be used against you, even if you’re not under arrest.
It can if prosecutors interpret the error as intentional fraud or false claims. Proper documentation, expert review, and immediate legal response can often show mistakes were administrative, not criminal.
A target letter is notice from the U.S. Attorney’s Office that you are a primary suspect in a federal investigation. It signals prosecutors have substantial evidence and intend to seek indictment.
Judges in New Hampshire consider factors like community ties, criminal history, and potential flight risk. An experienced attorney can argue for release on conditions rather than pretrial detention.
Defendants who provide useful information to prosecutors may qualify for sentence reductions under Section 5K1.1 of the Sentencing Guidelines. However, cooperation must be carefully managed to avoid risks to personal safety or credibility.
Yes. Over 90% of federal cases end in negotiated pleas. The strength of your attorney’s negotiation with the U.S. Attorney’s Office directly impacts charge reductions and sentencing outcomes.
Do not interfere or make statements. Contact your lawyer immediately. Your attorney can challenge the legality of the warrant, the scope of the search, and any seized evidence before it’s used against you.
Immediately, especially if you receive a target letter, subpoena, or visit from federal agents. Early representation allows your attorney to engage prosecutors, protect your rights, and possibly prevent formal charges altogether.
