• Criminal Defense

    The Law Office of Ted Barnes has experience with Criminal Defense in the Concord area.

  • The Law Office of Ted Barnes provides advice on most legal matters involving Business Disputes

    Business Disputes/p>

WELCOME TO The Law Office of Ted Barnes

Welcome to The Law Office of Ted Barnes, and thank you for visiting our website. We strive to deliver excellent and efficient legal services to all of our clients by providing a level of competence, diligence, and professionalism that is second to none. Furthermore, we treat all of our clients with respect and dignity. We carefully listen to your problems and find answers to your questions, encouraging communication and collaboration. At The Law Office of Ted Barnes, we believe hiring an attorney should feel like lifting a tremendous burden from your shoulders. We take on your problems, and proactively resolve them as if they were our own. We invite you to contact our office to determine if we can be of assistance to you.

Contact The Law Office of Ted Barnes for a FREE consultation. We look forward to navigating you through your Criminal Defense, Personal Injury, and Business Law needs. Call us now at (603) 225-5663 to get started on your consultation.
  • CLIENT ENDORSEMENT
    Mother of a Client in Tilton, NH
    I tell everybody I know, if they get in trouble, call Ted. He saved my son. Twice.
  • CLIENT ENDORSEMENT
    Grandfather of Client
    Ted was relentless. It took a lot of effort, but he did what needed to be done. He convinced three different judges to issue orders against state agencies and prosecutors, to clear a path for the release of my grandson from prison.
  • CLIENT ENDORSEMENT
    Client in Epsom, NH
    Ted settled my case for almost 20% more than we expected. I was VERY happy about that.
AREAS OF PRACTICE
  • Criminal Defense

    When you come under the scrutiny of the law, the pressure and stress can cause you to make a decision that can cause you more pain in the end. You should know how to avoid getting entangled in the criminal justice system.

    CRIMINAL DEFENSE SUB‑PRACTICES
    • ASSAULT
    • DRUG POSSESSION
    • BURGLARY
  • Personal Injury

    Personal injury cases can shape your life in a big way. That’s why it matters who you work with. Anyone injured in an auto accident or other situation due to no fault of his or her own may seek legal counsel from my office.Recovery for undue pain and suffering through monetary compensation is the only available alternative. I promise to evaluate the facts before offering a consistent forecast of your case, based on experience.

  • Business Disputes

    There are many different reasons why you might find yourself in the middle of a business dispute. When you feel like you have not gotten the service or product you paid for, my law office is here to offer helpful solutions to resolve your dispute. My law firm focuses mostly on business contracts like equipment and vehicle leases. Whether you are a business owner or homeowner treated unjustly, my law office has the experience to handle your case and walk you through the legal process..

The Law Office of Ted Barnes PRACTICE AREAS
  • Criminal Defense

    When you come under the scrutiny of the law, the pressure and stress can cause you to make a decision that can cause you more pain in the end. You should know how to avoid getting entangled in the criminal justice system.

    If you have been accused or charged

    #1: Remain Silent

    First of all, exercise your right to remain silent. The only person you should speak to is an experienced criminal defense lawyer. 

    One of the biggest problems we face in helping people who are caught up in the criminal justice system is that more than 90% of them make statements to the police which are used against them when the case goes to court.

    #2: Do not consent to any search

    If police officers or investigators want to search your home, your car, your luggage, you have the right to say NO. It is almost always in your best interests to do so. Even if you think you have nothing to hide, you cannot be certain of what search can turn up and what can be used against you.

    Know How To Interact with Police

    The police are well-trained in getting people to make statements against their own interests. Officers or investigators may come on strong, or friendly, or concerned, or they "just want to clear up something" for their own understanding. Everything they do or say is designed to get you to incriminate yourself because they assume that you are probably guilty. (This does not mean that the police are bad people, it is just how they protect themselves while doing their job. They have to assume that everyone is guilty, so they can be ready for anything that might happen.)

    Do not be concerned that the police will think that you have something to hide if you refuse to talk with them. (They may already think that, anyway.) Their mere suspicion does not affect your legal interests. Your statements will.

    Even if you are innocent, that does not mean that you can speak freely to the police and expect that things will work out for you. Understand that investigators do not view the matter the same way that you do; and if they think you may be involved, they may try to take advantage of your mistaken belief that you are not considered a suspect. You may unknowingly end up saying something that seems innocent and meaningless to you but fits with some officer's conclusions as to your involvement in what happened.

    It does not matter whether you write a statement, or sign a statement, or submit to a tape-recorded interview. Any statement you make may be used against you, even if it is just something that you say and some officer happens to overhear.

    It does not matter much if the police do not read you your "Miranda" rights. If you speak voluntarily, your statements may be used against you. "Miranda" only comes into play if the police actually question you, and even then, only if you are in their custody during questioning. (There are also exceptions to the "Miranda" rule, which the police know about, and you don't.)

    No matter how smart, or clever, or lucky you are, when you talk to the police, you are talking to someone who knows the rules of the game a whole lot better than you do, and they are trained to get what they want from you. So please do not talk! If you say only that you want to speak with a lawyer, then do not speak with the officers further. It is almost always the best thing you can do for yourself, innocent or not.

    Do not talk to anyone about your involvement, nor should you even claim not to be involved, in connection with any criminal charge. The person you talk to may be made to talk with the police, or they may want to do so, in order to protect themselves from some charge.

    What You Should Know About Searches

    If police officers or investigators want to search your home, your car, your luggage, you have the right to say NO. It is almost always in your best interests to do so. Even if you think you have nothing to hide, are you certain that the friend you picked up at the airport is carrying no contraband? Are you certain that nobody who has been in your car (since you cleaned it last) left or dropped anything that might be considered contraband? Do you truly know what might be considered illegal contraband? What about that antique your spouse brought home? Are you sure it wasn't stolen, then sold to the person from whom your spouse purchased it? Did the price on that CD player you bought from a relative carry a price too low to be real? You get the idea.

    A search may turn up something illegal, whether or not you are aware of it. Possessing stolen property, or drug residue, or any other contraband, will get you arrested. The truth about your knowledge, or lack thereof, will likely not convince the police and will have to come out at trial. Meanwhile, your arrest makes the evening news. It will probably not be in your best interests to attempt to explain to the police or to speculate with the investigators as to how the contraband came into your possession.

    But maybe you can avoid the whole problem if you simply tell the police that you DO NOT CONSENT TO A SEARCH. If they do not have a search warrant, they have to leave you and your property alone (unless they have some other legal basis to search). This will give you time to contact a lawyer, who may be able to find out what they are looking for, and why the police want to search your belongings. If the police search despite your protest, the court may later decide that whatever the police found may not be used against you at trial.

    Stopped on the Road- What to Know

    If you are stopped on the road, the police will want to search your car. A frequent occurrence these days is that they stop any vehicle carrying young people or non-whites; cars with out-of-state plates; any vehicle that is not operating in line with the officer's notions of "normal" operation, for any possible Motor Vehicle violation (for example, 5 miles over the speed limit, rapid lane change, broken tail light, license plate covered with snow, "erratic operation").

    Then they ask if they can look around your car. They frequently ask "Is there anything in your car you don't want me to see?" There is obviously no good answer you can give to such a question. If you say no, they will then ask why you do not want them to search, in an attempt to play on your guilt and get you to allow them to search or to admit that you are carrying contraband. If you answer the question with "yes", they have you. You have given them "probable cause" to search your car (which they did not have until you answered) and you have made a statement that may be used against you later in court. (They may have the legal right to search your car, anyway, depending on the reason for the stop, and what happens at the scene, but you make things worse if you do not clearly indicate that you do not consent.)

    If you get any advice from someone who has been in jail, and especially if they have been in jail more than once, please consider the source. If they know so much about the law, why have they gone to jail? How smart can they be? Do yourself a favor and talk with a lawyer instead.

    Get the help of an experienced attorney

    Relying on legal advice from anyone except an experienced defense lawyer can be a big mistake. Since you have attorney-client privilege with your lawyer, wait to speak to him or her first before agreeing to anything.

    The Law Office of Ted Barnes provides criminal defense representation if you are under investigation by authorities or have been charged with a crime.

    My first priority is to get you out of jail or to prevent you from being held. After that, we will discuss your account of the events that led to your arrest so that I can offer the best possible representation.

    After a careful review of your circumstances, I will give you a rundown of what to expect and all your possible options at each stage. The goal is to avoid jail time and seek sentencing alternatives when discussing the likelihood of success. I will personally introduce you to the court process so you know where your case may end up. Flat fees and hourly rates are available depending on your level of risk.

  • Assault

    If you have been accused of assault by another person in the state of New Hampshire, it is imperative that you take your rights seriously and these charges seriously by contacting an experienced criminal defense attorney. An individual can be accused of committing the crime of simple assault by causing any offensive contact to another person. In the event that the assault leads to serious injury or if the assault is committed against public officials or children, this can be classified as a felony under New Hampshire’s aggravated assault laws.

    Assault Can Tarnish Your Reputation

    Assault convictions can influence your future and tarnish your reputation. Making the wrong choice in a criminal defense lawyer can unnecessarily make your life more difficult. You want someone who will step in right away to investigate the best options for you personally. Having worked with numerous individuals in this situation, I know what it takes to determine the right defense strategy and start working for you immediately. Time is of the essence and experience counts with your lawyer. Make sure you find someone who is just as dedicated to protecting your rights as you are.

    What is Simple Assault?

    You may be accused of committing simple assault if you knowingly or purposely caused any bodily injury through some type of offensive physical contact. This is outlined under the New Hampshire Revised Statutes 626:2. Intentionally striking another individual can be classified as simple assault. Throwing an object towards someone may also be classified as assault. Anytime that you recklessly caused bodily injury to another person, you can be accused of simple assault.  Simple assault might sound like a minor matter, but it carries serious consequences. Make sure you take action immediately.

    Punishments for Assault in New Hampshire

    If you have been accused of simple assault or recklessly placing another person in danger, these are both misdemeanors that can be punished by up to $2000 in fines and a year in jail. If your crime is classified as simple assault during mutual combat, this can be punished by fines of up to $1000. Understanding the charges against you and retaining an experienced attorney as soon as possible after you have been accused of assault is imperative.

    Do not make the mistake of assuming that a misdemeanor charge is a minor matter that you can handle on your own. You need to take your case seriously by working with a lawyer who will evaluate all possible options for resolution.

    First-degree assault in New Hampshire can be punished by up to 15 years in prison and fines of up to $4000. Second-degree assault is a Class B felony in New Hampshire, carrying fines of up to $4000 and up to seven years in prison. Getting legal advice from an experienced attorney is strongly recommended as soon as possible after you have been accused or a crime. This may be the only way to protect your rights and explore all possible avenues for having your charges reduced or dismissed.

  • Drug Possesion

    Being accused of drug possession is unnerving and extremely confusing. New Hampshire laws outline strict penalties for all drug crimes. In the event that you are convicted of possessing or selling drugs, you could be looking at harsh sentences. This is true even if the drug in question is marijuana. For example, simple possession of transporting marijuana is classified as a misdemeanor, but this could lead to up to 12 months in the house of corrections and fines of up to $2000.

    Defining Possession in New Hampshire

    Possession of less than one ounce of marijuana alone could lead to up to 3 years in prison and fines of up to $25,000. Possessing less than an ounce of serious drugs like heroin, methamphetamines or any schedule 1 or schedule 2 substance will carry penalties of up to 7 years in prison and fines of up to $100,000.

    In the event that the possession amount is one ounce or larger, the sentence can increase to 20 years in prison and fines of up to $300,000. Having 5 or more ounces of these drugs could lead to up to 30 years in prison and fines of up to $500,000.

    A Criminal Conviction May Haunt You for Years

    It goes without saying that being convicted of a crime like this in New Hampshire can have a significant impact on your future. Not only will you be looking at serious prison time and costly fines, but it may be more difficult to move on with your life in terms of gaining employment, getting a loan or renting an apartment after you have served your time.

    This is why it is imperative to engage an experienced New Hampshire criminal defense attorney as soon as possible after being accused of a crime. The state bears the burden of proof in order to illustrate that you knowingly possessed this illegal substance.

    Choosing The Right Lawyer Makes All The Difference

    Working with an attorney who regularly defends these kinds of cases can give you a lot of confidence and peace of mind, particularly as it relates to illustrating that the state has failed to meet the intent requirement. Hiring an experienced New Hampshire drug possession defense attorney today is strongly recommended.

    As an accused person, you have constitutional rights that should always be protected with the insight of an experienced lawyer. Bear in mind that the police and other authorities are not looking out for your best interests.

    The only way success in case in court is to hire an experienced New Hampshire drug defense attorney to represent your interests from the start. Do not hesitate to reach out to me today to learn more about how a lawyer can help you defend these charges or have them dismissed.

  • Burglary

    Like all states in the U.S., Hampshire has laws against trespass and burglary. Burglary refers to entering a building with the intention to commit a crime inside. The purpose of these laws is to protect individuals from others who may come into workplaces, homes or other property without permission. New Hampshire takes burglary charges very seriously, which is why it is so important to retain an experienced burglary attorney if you find yourself being accused of this crime.

    Spelling Out Burglary Laws 

    Burglary has traditionally been defined as breaking and entering into someone's home with the intention to commit a felony. However, many states have eliminated these requirements and defined burglary as entering any building without permission with the intent of committing a crime inside. New Hampshire's laws explained that burglary can be caused by anyone entering any occupied structure or building without permission with the intention of carrying out a crime inside. An occupied structure refers to any vehicle, place adapted for business or for sleeping, or a structure.

    Even you can be accused of Burglary.

    In a context of a divorce reentering a home to steal a kiss from your ex-spouse or remove some belongings can be classified as a burglary. Returning to your workplace after hours to replenish your personal office supplies can be classified as a burglary. Entering a relative's home to take an item that you believe belongs to you can be classified as a burglary. And in any such burglary if the item is a firearm then the penalties double.

    Aggravated Burglary or Home Invasion Burglary

    Some burglaries can be classified as even more serious crimes. In New Hampshire, burglary can be punished with more severe penalties if the dwelling or individual belongs to another person and this happens at night, typically referred to as a home invasion burglary. Any location where people sleep or live could be classified as a dwelling. A burglary may also lead to escalated charges and more severe penalties if the defendant was armed with a deadly weapon or an explosive that ultimately inflicts bodily injury on any other person during the crime or the escape.

    If you have recently been accused of burglary in New Hampshire, you may be facing up to 20 years in prison if you committed burglary with a firearm. Aggravated burglary is usually named as a Class A felony with up to seven years in prison and fines of up to $4000. Other burglaries may be categorized as a Class B felony with up to seven years in prison and fines of up to $2000. Getting an experienced attorney to help you sooner rather than later is essential.

  • Personal Injury

    Personal injury cases can shape your life in a big way. That’s why it matters who you work with. Anyone injured in an auto accident or other situation due to no fault of his or her own may seek legal counsel from my office.Recovery for undue pain and suffering through monetary compensation is the only available alternative. I promise to evaluate the facts before offering a consistent forecast of your case, based on experience.

    After an accident, you already have enough to worry about. That’s why I work hard to protect you to the best of my ability.

    Your Goal Should be Getting Well

    If you are like most people, the first thing you think about when you sustain an injury is what you will have to do to get well. You need to heal, and you need to deal with the pain. Once you realize the extent of your injuries, and you get beyond the initial treatments, your thoughts may turn to questions of whether your injuries might have been preventable, especially if your recovery may be long or difficult.

    Protecting Yourself After an Injury

    Many injuries could and should have been prevented. If someone other than you caused or contributed to your injury, you may be entitled to compensation for the effects the injury has on your life. You may be entitled to compensation for medical treatments, lost wages, incidental expenses, and "pain and suffering".

    Your injuries may prevent you from enjoying your home life, family life, recreation; you may just hurt all the time. You may have to be medicated for pain to such an extent that you are not the same person you were before the injury. You may have nightmares or other psychological damages resulting from the circumstances of the injury.

    If someone was careless (negligent) in causing your injuries, or if they did it intentionally, you may be able to recover compensation from them.

    How a Personal Injury Lawyer Helps You

    The rules for recovery differ, depending on how, and where, and by whom you were injured. There may be more or other people at fault than you realize. Some of the people at fault may have no resources from which to pay compensation, and others may have substantial assets or insurance policies which cover such situations.

    You need to consult with a lawyer as soon as possible, in order to give them the opportunity to preserve valuable evidence which may otherwise be lost. There may also be time limits which require you to provide legally proper notice to insurance companies, or to other people or agencies that may be responsible for covering your losses. If you do not get to a lawyer before the evidence is destroyed, or before the time limits run out, you may compromise or lose your rights to fair compensation.

    Note: Since insurance companies have to respond quickly to injury claims, parties and witnesses may be approached by an insurance company representative within hours after notice of the injury, and certainly within a day. Sometimes they may even contact people who are still hospitalized. Medicated people should not sign anything, nor should anyone who is in pain or under stress. They should contact a lawyer.

  • Business Disputes

    There are many different reasons why you might find yourself in the middle of a business dispute. When you feel like you have not gotten the service or product you paid for, my law office is here to offer helpful solutions to resolve your dispute. My law firm focuses mostly on business contracts like equipment and vehicle leases. Whether you are a business owner or homeowner treated unjustly, my law office has the experience to handle your case and walk you through the legal process.

    Common Business Disputes

    Disputes can happen over the wording or carrying out of contracts, for example. Partnerships may dissolve quickly because agreements at the outset of the partnership were not properly drafted and therefore leave a wide margin for error. Businesses might even face disputes from employees directly. No matter how these start, a business dispute can be problematic.

    When employees or business owners have to address an ongoing dispute, this causes expenses, frustration, and even lost productivity. The best way to avoid disputes in the first place is to use comprehensive legal agreements and contracts. However, even well-written contracts cannot always eradicate the potential for a dispute. This is why it’s important to have a relationship with a business lawyer in New Hampshire to help you address disputes in a timely and effective manner.

    The Role Agreements Play in Business Disputes

    Agreements, whether or not they are written down, form the core of every transaction.  You make countless unwritten agreements in any average working day. You buy coffee; you share a taxi; you make travel arrangements.  Agreements are always being discussed; you negotiate terms; you engage in commercial relationships.

    These layers of contractual transactions number in the millions each day and form the financial backbone of this country.

    Contact law serves many purposes in the U.S. business landscape today, including that it:

    • provides security for the legal obligations that contracting parties owe each other;
    • provides assurances that parties will receive what they want from their transaction;
    • provides for compensation for injury or damage resulting from the transaction.

    Since agreements are subject to individual interpretation, a lawyer often becomes necessary --- to make sure that people receive their intended benefit, and that they suffer no harm.

    Builders, Farmers, Merchants, Shop Owners and others have found help over the years by calling me when a deal just didn't sound right, didn't look right, didn't feel right, didn't work right. Sorting out all the issues, and making the transaction work - that's what I do.

    Business Law Basics

    This country has always depended on healthy commerce, people exchanging their labor or their knowledge for things they need.  A person with an idea for something that may support them and their family develops a "business" -  starting with a plan, and then committing to make that plan work.  With small successes, a business may need additional employees;  more production space; contracts for items and expertise to drive the business, and to produce and market business products or services.

    Countless business owners, employees, landowners, merchants, craft workers, laborers all find work and reward through the operation of this simple business model that lies at the heart of this country's economic life.  

    I welcome the opportunity to contribute my legal abilities to healthy and responsible business.

Meet Ted Barnes
Ted Barnes
Attorney
In New Hampshire, I have a reputation for effectively serving clients with a broad range of needs. Finding the right lawyer is an important step in handling your legal case and you want to work with someone who already has earned that reputation for being a fighter and a leader. I got my start in the legal field when I attended Boston University for two years, then took a break from formal education to work various jobs, including three years in northern Appalachia, working on legal problems of the rural poor. That experience inspired me to become an attorney and return to my education.
My Education
I returned to college at the State University of New York, working as a teamster to finance my education. I graduated with honors and then worked my way through the Franklin Pierce Law Center (now known as the University of New Hampshire Law School), graduating in 1980 with a Juris Doctor degree. After passing the bar in 1980, I opened up a solo law practice in Concord. A few years later, I began sharing office space with two other lawyers and later formed a partnership. I have been a name partner in several law firms since then, and currently, maintain a solo practice located right next to the Merrimack County Superior Court in Concord.
My Clients
In my civil practice, I have helped burned children; auto accident victims; elderly tenants. I have helped small business owners of all kinds -- farmers; painting contractors; dentists; builders; retailers. In criminal law, I long ago let the local Courts know that I would accept cases at the judges' request, on behalf of people who could not afford to hire their own lawyers. There was plenty of business. I ended up spending much of my time on criminal defense, and have since handled thousands of cases for many people in different economic situations. Judges in Courts around the State have called upon me over the years to accept troubled, or troublesome, clients; and difficult cases that most lawyers decline to handle, including murder cases. I am honored to have become recognized over time as one among the handful of New Hampshire lawyers qualified to defend those accused of Major Crimes.


My Approach

Whether you have a personal injury case, a business dispute, or any kind of criminal charges you are currently facing, you need the insight of an experienced attorney who will work hard from the outset of your case. It is a mistake to assume that all attorneys are the same.

Tireless Effort

I work hard to do what is necessary and to represent you to the fullest and this is why I get good outcomes with my clients. I take each individual client's concerns seriously and craft a compelling strategy aligned with their individual needs.

Clear Explanations

I tell you what you need to know so that you can make educated decisions about your future and so that you are well informed of both the strategies we have developed for your case and the potential challenges we may encounter along the way.

Partner with Someone Who Cares

Given that the outcome of your case will have such a significant impact on your future, it is imperative that you partner with someone who cares about what is truly best for you. Do not hesitate to reach out to my offices today to schedule a consultation and learn more about how we can work together. When I make a commitment to you, it is one you can count on. I will keep you informed, communicate with you over the course of your case and keep you aware of any challenges or obstacles we may need to overcome.

Each attorney has a unique approach and individualized commitment to you. It is important to identify the right attorney to work with you from the outset so as to increase your own confidence and the management of your case and to form a relationship with the person who would become important as your case unfolds. Let me show you that I'm the right attorney for you.



CONTACT US
DISCLAIMER: The use of the Internet for communications with the firm will not establish an attorney-client relationship and messages containing confidential or time-sensitive information should not be sent.
ADDRESS, PHONE & EMAIL

The Law Office of Ted Barnes

8 Court St

Concord, NH 03301

USA

p. (603) 225-5663

Email:ted.barnes@myfairpoint.net

OFFICE HOURS

Monday: 9am to 5pm

Tuesday: 9am to 5pm

Wednesday: 9am to 5pm

Thursday: 9am to 5pm

Friday: 9am to 5pm

Saturday: Closed

Sunday: Closed