Child Molestation

Fricano&Weber P.L.L.C. successfully provides personalized representaion.

Nashua Child Molestation Lawyer

Child Molestation Attorney in Nashua, NH

Former Prosecutors Who Know How the State Builds These Cases

Facing a child molestation accusation is one of the most serious situations a person can confront. At Fricano&Weber P.L.L.C., we provide confidential, professional defense for individuals facing these charges in Nashua and throughout Southern New Hampshire. Our team guides you with open communication and straightforward legal support from the first call through every stage of the case.

Call us at (603) 823-3314 to schedule a consultation with our Nashua child molestation attorney.

Why Our Background Matters for This Defense

Both partners served as prosecutors for the Hillsborough County Attorney’s Office for over a decade. That experience means we understand precisely how New Hampshire prosecutors build sex crimes cases, what evidence they prioritize, and where those cases can be challenged. We don’t have to guess at the state’s approach because we used it.

Attorney Joe Fricano’s background as a Nashua Police Officer and Military Police Lieutenant adds a second layer of insight. He understands how evidence is collected, how investigations are conducted, and where procedural errors occur. That knowledge shapes how we scrutinize police work from the accused’s side.

What sets our firm apart in sensitive criminal defense cases:

Former prosecution experience: Over 10 years prosecuting for the Hillsborough County Attorney’s Office gives us direct knowledge of how the state builds its case.
Law enforcement background: Firsthand experience in police investigations informs how we examine evidence collection and challenge investigative procedures.
15-plus years in Nashua courts: We know the local court personnel, docket patterns, and procedural expectations at Hillsborough County Superior Court.
Trial-ready preparation: Every case is prepared as if it will go to a jury, regardless of where negotiations stand.
Direct attorney access: Clients receive their attorney’s personal cell phone number and stay in contact throughout the defense, not through a paralegal or intake staff.
Professional memberships: We are members of the NH Bar Association and the New Hampshire Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (NHACDL).

What to Expect When Facing Child Molestation Charges in Nashua

Convictions under New Hampshire’s sexual assault statutes carry severe consequences: lengthy prison sentences, mandatory sex offender registration, and a permanent mark on your record and reputation. The stakes demand an attorney who takes the investigation phase as seriously as the courtroom.

In many of these cases, criminal proceedings and civil child-protection proceedings under RSA 169-C run at the same time. Statements or actions in one proceeding can affect the other. When a family member is accused, the Division for Children, Youth and Families (DCYF) may move quickly to remove a child from the home. Early legal intervention can limit the damage these parallel processes can cause.

Our approach at each phase of the case:

Thorough case review: We examine police reports, evaluate how evidence was gathered, and identify procedural issues before the first court date.
Consistent communication: Clients receive frequent updates, and concerns are addressed promptly. You are not left wondering where your case stands.
Local court strategy: We tailor the defense to the specific expectations of Nashua courts and the agencies involved in these cases.

Attorney Kristen Weber defended a client accused of assaulting a child in June 2015. The jury returned a not guilty verdict in under one hour. We don’t promise outcomes, but we prepare every case with the same level of rigor.

Frequently Asked Questions

What Should I Do If Police Contact Me About These Charges?

Stay calm and don’t answer questions before speaking with an attorney. Invoke your right to remain silent immediately. Anything you say during that initial contact can be used against you, and the investigation phase is often when the most damaging statements are made.

How Can a Child Molestation Attorney in Nashua Help During the Investigation?

We protect your constitutional rights from the start, prevent self-incrimination, and manage all contact with police and investigators on your behalf. Early involvement gives us the opportunity to identify problems with how evidence is gathered before charges are formally filed.

What Are Possible Outcomes in New Hampshire Child Molestation Cases?

Depending on the evidence, the charge tier, and the facts of your case, outcomes may include dismissal, reduction of charges, a negotiated plea agreement, or a jury trial. Hillsborough County Superior Court handles felony-level sex offenses in Nashua, and our familiarity with that court’s procedures is a meaningful advantage throughout the process.

Does the Nashua Court System Handle These Cases Differently than Other Areas?

New Hampshire law governs the charges, but local variables matter. Timing, docket management, and familiarity with the court’s expectations all affect how a case moves. Having practiced in Nashua for over 15 years, we navigate those variables with confidence.

How Will I Communicate with My Attorney Throughout the Case?

We provide clients with our attorneys’ personal cell phone numbers. You are in direct contact with the attorney handling your defense, not a support staffer relaying messages.

Speak with a Child Molestation Lawyer in Nashua Today

A free initial consultation is your first step. When you contact Fricano&Weber P.L.L.C., you speak directly with an attorney who has prosecuted and defended serious criminal cases in Nashua and Southern New Hampshire. We answer questions honestly, explain what the process involves, and provide confidential guidance throughout your defense.

Call us at (603) 823-3314 to schedule a consultation with our Nashua child molestation lawyer.

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How New Hampshire Law Classifies Child Molestation Charges

New Hampshire prosecutes child molestation under RSA 632-A, which establishes three charge tiers based on the nature of the conduct, the victim’s age, and the age difference between the parties. Where a charge falls on that scale matters from the start because sentencing ranges and registration requirements differ significantly across tiers.

Sexual Assault (Class A Misdemeanor)

The least severe tier carries up to one year in jail and a fine up to $2,000. Even so, a misdemeanor conviction for a sexual offense carries consequences that follow a person well beyond the sentence itself.

Felonious Sexual Assault (Class B Felony)

This tier carries up to seven years in prison and a fine up to $4,000, and a conviction triggers mandatory sex offender registration under New Hampshire law. These charges often arise from the victim’s age, the nature of the contact, or the relationship between the parties.

Aggravated Felonious Sexual Assault (Most Serious Tier)

The most serious tier carries a prison term of 10 to 20 years and a fine up to $4,000. Depending on the circumstances, a conviction may also result in lifetime supervision by the New Hampshire Department of Corrections and lifetime sex offender registration. Sexual contact with a child under 13 can elevate a charge to this level.

Extended Statute of Limitations & the DCYF Child-Removal Process

New Hampshire extends the statute of limitations for child sexual abuse significantly. A survivor may press charges until they turn 40 years old. From the accused’s perspective, that means an allegation can surface years or even decades after the alleged incident, at a point when witnesses are hard to locate, records may no longer exist, and memories have faded. Thorough documentation and early legal involvement are especially important when accusations are delayed.

When a family member is the accused, RSA 169-C, New Hampshire’s Child Protection Act, governs a separate civil proceeding that runs alongside the criminal case. DCYF may move quickly to remove a child from the home pending adjudication. In these civil proceedings, the state needs only to prove abuse by a preponderance of the evidence, a lower burden than the beyond-a-reasonable-doubt standard in criminal court. Navigating both tracks at once requires a defense attorney who understands how each proceeding affects the other.

One additional caution: contacting the complaining witness after charges are filed can result in a separate witness-tampering charge. Any communication with that individual should go exclusively through legal counsel.

Defense Strategies & Constitutional Rights in NH Child Molestation Cases

Every person accused of a crime retains constitutional rights throughout the process: the right to remain silent, the right to counsel, and the right to confront witnesses at trial. Exercising those rights early, before investigators have gathered all the evidence they are seeking, is one of the most consequential steps an accused person can take.

Evidence in sex crime allegations is often gathered within the first 48 hours of a report. Retaining a defense attorney during the investigation phase, before charges are formally filed, gives counsel the opportunity to identify problems early and preserve options that won’t be available later.

Defense strategies in child molestation cases often examine:

Credibility and consistency: Challenging the internal consistency of witness accounts, including prior statements that conflict with current testimony.
Physical evidence and chain of custody: Questioning how evidence was collected, handled, and stored, and whether proper procedures were followed at each step.
Constitutional violations: Identifying whether evidence was gathered through an unlawful search or seizure, or whether the accused’s rights were violated during questioning.
Close-in-age provisions: New Hampshire law recognizes close-in-age provisions that may apply in certain age-gap situations. The specific ages and age difference between the parties determine whether this applies to a given case.

One important point: mistake of age isn’t a recognized defense under New Hampshire law. Even if a minor misrepresented their age, that misrepresentation doesn’t eliminate criminal liability. An attorney familiar with NH’s sexual assault statutes can explain what defenses are actually available based on the facts of your case.

When criminal proceedings and DCYF civil child-protection proceedings run simultaneously, the defense strategy must account for both. Statements made in a civil proceeding can surface in the criminal case, and vice versa. Coordinating the approach across both tracks from the start isn’t optional. It’s necessary.

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The Legal Counsel Your Case Requires Working With Our Firm

Legal Counsel Driven by Honesty
Diligent & Aggressive Representation
Close Attention to Detail on Every Case
10 years of Experience as Prosecutors
Practical Experience & A Unique Perspective as Former Prosecutors
Always Prepared for Jury Trial

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