This article is the first in a series examining the indigent defense crisis in the Granite State. By Tom Jarvis New Hampshire’s criminal courts are amid a crisis due to a critical shortage of public defenders, contract counsel, and court-appointed counsel. This has caused delays in the court system, leaving indigent defendants waiting for months … Read more
By Tom Jarvis The New Hampshire Judicial Branch recently enhanced its judicial infrastructure by creating the new role of magistrate. This position, established under House Bill 318 and codified in RSA chapter 491-B, aims to address challenges associated with the state’s evolving bail system. The magistrates will ensure that individuals arrested for serious offenses receive … Read more
By Tom Jarvis The Granite State marked a historic milestone on November 12, when the Honorable Kimberly Bacher became the first woman Chief Judge of the US Bankruptcy Court for the District of New Hampshire at her investiture ceremony. This appointment also marks the last of the firsts for women on the bench in the … Read more
By Tom Jarvis For 603 Legal Aid (603LA) Paralegal Steve McGilvary, receiving the prestigious 2024 Denison Ray Award from the National Legal Aid & Defender Association in November was not just a personal honor – it was a recognition of the collective effort and dedication of his entire team. “I was shocked and very appreciative … Read more
By Tom Jarvis New Hampshire experienced a historic voter turnout for the 2024 general election, with a record-breaking 834,651 ballots cast across the state. This figure, which surpassed the previous high of 814,499 in 2020, included 737,355 in-person ballots and 99,296 absentee ballots, marking over 60 percent of New Hampshire’s population. Despite record turnout, Election … Read more
By Tom Jarvis Nearly 150 lawyers, judges, paralegals, and other legal professionals gathered to celebrate women in the practice of law at the New Hampshire Women’s Bar Association’s (NHWBA) Fall Reception on October 9, at the Barn at Bull Meadow in Concord. The 27th event of its kind, the Fall Reception has been held annually … Read more
By Tom Jarvis The Committee on Legal Education and Admissions Reform (CLEAR) will host a listening conference, which is open to the public, on Wednesday, November 13, from 3 to 5 pm, at Suffolk Law School in Boston. CLEAR, a commission of the Conference of State Court Administrators (COSCA) and the Conference of Chief Justices … Read more
By Tom Jarvis Governor Chris Sununu signed House Bill 1569 into law on September 12, introducing significant changes to New Hampshire’s voter registration and identification process – changes that have sparked heated debate about access to the ballot box. The new law eliminates the use of affidavits as an acceptable form of identification and mandates … Read more
By Tom Jarvis On August 11, Judge Bruce Harwood, the esteemed Chief Judge of the US Bankruptcy Court for the District of New Hampshire, retired after a distinguished career marked by fairness, integrity, and dedication to the law. His retirement was celebrated on August 29 at the DoubleTree Hilton in Manchester, where colleagues, friends, and … Read more
