Richard E. Samdperil

PRO

Richard E. Samdperil

5.0
Rating: 10.0

Licensed for 30 years

Criminal defense Lawyer at Exeter, NH
Practice Areas: Criminal Defense, DUI & DWI, Expungement ... +2 more

100 High Street, Exeter, NH

Virtual Consultation Available

About Richard

Biography

Practice Areas

5

Practice Areas

Criminal Defense 40%

Drug possession and sales; sexual assaults; assault and battery cases; homicides; theft, forgery and related crimes; alcohol offenses by minors; habitual offenders; annulments.

31 years | 4,000 cases

40%
DUI and DWI 40%

DUI, DWI, Reckless Driving and other motor vehicle offenses, DMV hearings.

31 years | 500 cases

40%
Expungement 10%

31 years | 200 cases

10%
Appeals 5%

Criminal and other appeals before the New Hampshire Supreme Court.

31 years | 60 cases

5%
Ethics and Professional Responsibility 5%

31 years | 10 cases

5%

Fees and Rates

Cost

Retainer

Always


Payment Methods

  • Cash
  • Check
  • Credit Card

Licenses

Licensed in New Hampshire for 30 years

State: New Hampshire

Acquired: 1995

Active

No misconduct found

Location

Samdperil & Welsh, PLLC

100 High Street, Exeter, NH, 03833-2919

swnhlaw.com/

Online Presence

Other places you can find Richard online.

Richard E. Samdperil's Reviews

Avvo Review Score

5.0 /5.0

9 Client Reviews

5 star (9)
4 star (0)
3 star (0)
2 star (0)
1 star (0)

Posted by David | November 2, 2020 | Hired Attorney

This review is from a person who hired this attorney.

Top Notch Service

I was referred to Attorney Samdperil after my deferred sentence was in jeopardy due to two minor offenses that came up over the summer. Atty Samdperil quickly took action and represented me in the most recent case. One of the offenses were dropped, and he managed to get the second offense lowered as ...to not trigger the balance of the deferred sentence. From there, Attorney Samdperil represented me again when it was time to have my deferred case suspended, which also resulted in a favorable outcome. I highly recommend Attorney Samdperil. Has great work ethic, tells it like it is, but also had no doubt he had my best interests in mind at all times.

Posted by anonymous | April 16, 2019 | Hired Attorney

This review is from a person who hired this attorney.

Richard made me feel I was more than just a case

A few months back I found myself in legal trouble for the very first time. I was confused, lost and scared. I immediately started doing research and after reading reviews (like on this site) I reached out to Richard. He called me back right away. I had spoken to a few other attorneys while doing my r...esearch but what struck me the most about Richard was his experience. He was so level headed and even-keeled during our conversation. Also during our first chat he took interest in me the person, I wasn’t just a case to him. Our conversation gave me something I was in dire need of, hope. Richard was also highly recommended to me by a friend who works in the industry but in another state. His firm knew of Richard and his reputation and that’s all I needed. Richard has a way to make even the scariest of legal terms easy to understand. He always made me feel like I was his top priority and would answer even the smallest question I had right away. His knowledge of the legal system is undeniable. He outlined every step of the process for me and gave me both sides so I knew exactly what to expect at every turn. Richard helped me get a better outcome than I could have imagined when I first got into my situation. There was never a moment of doubt with him. He has a calmness about him that is contagious and is very easy to open up to. Finally he is not only experienced but he handles every situation with respect and class. I felt extremely confident with him representing me in my situation and I could not have asked for me. Richard is a class act and we would all be very lucky to call him a friend.

Posted by Paul | July 9, 2018 | Hired Attorney

This review is from a person who hired this attorney.

A master of legal rhetorical argumentation. A paragon of legal professionalism and ethics. A genius of both strategy and tactics

It is a good thing that Daniel Webster is no longer with us, because it would be bad news for him to learn that Richard E. Samdperil has overtaken the throne of "New Hampshire's greatest lawyer". I've been working with Richard for over a year. His expertise spans multiple levels relevant to the lega...l profession, while his competitors often lack greatly in certain areas. That is to say, Richard is far more than a brilliant legal argumentator. Richard is far more than someone who can entertain anyone who watches the Supreme Court oral argument webcasts, when he makes an absolute fool out of state prosecutors on the other side who simple cannot muster the intellect to undermine Richard's powerfully simple, persuasive arguments. Far more than these tactical elements, Richard has a masterful handle on holistic legal strategy that many other attorneys lack. Richard's expert competency in legal strategics (as opposed to solely "tactics") is absolutely necessary for clients who find themselves in far-reaching legal entanglements spanning multiple cases as in my case, and very helpful for clients in simpler cases to ensure an optimal outcome big-picture. Richard is essentially a risk-minimizer and approaches his legal profession as an outlet of veritable therapeutic life coaching for his clients: i.e., an adherence to a general principle of minimizing harm, minimizing costs, and minimizing legal impacts, instead of more typical attorney behaviors of myopically focusing on specific case tactics and racking up a good bill while so doing, with little genuine concern for the client. Not Richard. Richard cares about his clients and is a honorable defender of the United States Constitution and the rights granted thereby to the citizens. By this service to the people, he compounds great honor to his name just as our Armed Forces defend our laws and rights in a very different fashion. Richard's practice however illuminates the oft-forgotten truth that quality, principled defense attorneys are nearly as crucial to defending our rights and liberties from domestic threats as are our good men and women in the military who defend the same from foreign threats to the same. It is therefore not excessively hyperbolic to call Richard a brilliant soldier of justice - indeed, he is just this, and much more. I would highly recommend Richard to anyone seeking legal help in his practice areas.

Posted by NP | January 27, 2018 | Consulted Attorney

This review is from a potential client who consulted with this attorney.

Superb Atty

I contacted Atty Richard E. Samdperil, He gave me lots of helpful and honest opinion. He spent about 30 mins on phone and few emails, researched and did lots of leg work. Richard E. Samdperil is wonderful Atty and will do a great job - Patel

Posted by anonymous | November 10, 2017 | Consulted Attorney

This review is from a potential client who consulted with this attorney.

Intelligent, knowledgeable, easy to talk, clear and direct

I contacted Richard to ask advice on several legal matters. I found him to be not only extremely knowledgeable but he was easy to understand and when I was uncertain of particular legal terms he was patient, clear and direct with me. I would definitely recommend Richard to anyone who is seeking legal... advice or representation. I ended up not needing to use Richard’s representation but was very thankful for the consultation that he gave me.

See All Client Reviews

Richard E. Samdperil's Lawyer Endorsements

Endorse Richard
Katharine J. Phinney headshot
Katharine Phinney

Criminal defense lawyer | Feb 22

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I highly recommend Attorney Samdperil to represent you in your legal matter. I have known Attorney Samdperil for several years, not only working on cases but also in the legal community and will say he is an experienced, hard working and well respected attorney."

Amy C. Connolly headshot
Amy Connolly

Criminal defense lawyer | Mar 26

Relationship: Opposing Counsel on matter

"I am writing to endorse Richard Samdperil. As a former prosecutor, I have had many cases against Attorney Samdperil. He is very intelligent and is a fierce competitor in the courtroom. He is well versed in New Hampshire case law and in the Rules of Evidence. His clients surely will benefit from his trial skills, knowledge of the law, and good reputation in the legal community."

Benjamin Lewis Felcher Leavitt headshot
Benjamin Leavitt

Criminal defense lawyer | Feb 26

Relationship: Worked together on matter

"I endorse this lawyer. Richard is one of the most skilled trial lawyers I have seen. His dedication to his clients is also unparalleled. If I were in trouble, I would use my one phone call to retain Richard Samdperil."

Richard E. Clark headshot
Richard Clark

Criminal defense lawyer | Feb 12

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse this lawyer. Richard is a good guy. He has a positive reputation in the community and courtroom."

Theodore M Lothstein headshot
Theodore Lothstein

Appeals lawyer | Dec 19

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"Richard Samdperil is a highly experienced, skilled, and dedicated professional who has successfully handled felony criminal jury trials and litigated a number of important appeals in the New Hampshire Supreme Court, including groundbreaking challenges to the use and misuse of scientific evidence in the criminal courtroom. He is respected and trusted by his clients, fellow lawyers and judges, because he is always prepared, takes aggressive litigation positions, and is a highly effective advocate."

Donald L. Blaszka Jr. headshot
Donald Blaszka

Criminal defense lawyer | Aug 08

Relationship: Worked together on matter

"Richard is a very dedicated and hard working attorney. I had the pleasure of working with Richard on a high profile case recently and found that his ability to analyze and breakdown the legal and factual issues of the case and his trial preparation to be among the best that I have ever worked with. Richard is also an exceptional appellate attorney and I would recommend him to any client looking for a criminal or appellate attorney in the Exeter/Portsmouth area."

View All Endorsements
John P. Newman headshot
John Newman

Criminal defense lawyer

Joe Prieto headshot
Joe Prieto

Criminal defense lawyer

Amy C. Connolly headshot
Amy Connolly

Divorce and separation lawyer

Benjamin Lewis Felcher Leavitt headshot
Benjamin Leavitt

Criminal defense lawyer

Richard E. Clark headshot
Richard Clark

Criminal defense lawyer

Theodore M Lothstein headshot
Theodore Lothstein

DUI and DWI lawyer

John Edward Durkin headshot
John Durkin

Criminal defense lawyer

Donald L. Blaszka Jr. headshot
Donald Blaszka

Criminal defense lawyer

Andrew F Cotrupi headshot
Andrew Cotrupi

Criminal defense lawyer

Experience

Rating:  10.0 (Superb)

Honors

2025

Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers

2024

Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers

2023

Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers

2022

Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers

2021

Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers

2020

Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers

2019

Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers

2018

Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers

2017

Super Lawyer (2017, 2018), SuperLawyers

2017

Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers

2010

Certificate of Appreciation, New England Division International Association for Identification

2006

Standard Field Sobriety Testing - Completion Certificate, CES Consulting, Inc.

1998

Trial Practice Institute - Completion Certificate, National Criminal Defense College

Work Experience

2019 - Present

Adjunct Professor, University of New Hampshire Franklin Pierce School of Law

2006 - Present

Partner, Samdperil & Welsh, PLLC

2022 - 2023

Acting Executive Director, New Hampshire Judicial Council

2007 - 2008

Adjunct Professor, St. Anselm College

1995 - 2006

Trial Attorney, Managing Attorney, Asst. Appellate Defender, New Hampshire Public Defender

Associations

2006 - Present

New Hampshire Bar Association, Criminal Justice Section

Member

1997 - Present

National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers

member

1996 - Present

New Hampshire Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers

member

Rockingham County Bar Association

Past Chair

2013 - 2016

New Hampshire Bar Association's Criminal Justice Section

Co-chair

Sample of Legal Cases

State v. E.H.

not guilty

State v. D.H.

Drugs suppressed. Cased dismissed.

State v. Hall

Murder conviction reversed.

State v. Masucci

DWI conviction vacated.

State v. Smalley

Drug conviction reversed.

State v. Langill

See More Legal Cases

Education

1994

Northeastern University School of Law

JD - Juris Doctor

1990

Lake Forest College

BA - Bachelor of Arts

Speaking Engagements

2024

Trial Advocacy Skills for Defense Lawyers in North Macedonia

Trial Advocacy Skills from a U.S. Defense Attorney Perspective

2024

NHBA Evidence CLE

Practical Evidence in Superior Court

2023

NHBA Practical Skills for New Bar Admittees

Practical Skills - Ethics & Professionalism

2009

International Association for Identification (New England) Annual Meeting

Panel Discussion on National Academy of Science Report on the Strength of Forensic Evidence in the US

Publications

Languages

English

Activity

Avvo Rating

Our Rating is calculated using information the lawyer has included on their profile in addition to the information we collect from state bar associations and other organizations that license legal professionals. Attorneys who claim their profiles and provide Avvo with more information tend to have a higher rating than those who do not.

What determines Avvo Rating?
  • Experience & background Years licensed, work experience, education
  • Legal community recognition Peer endorsements, associations, awards
  • Legal thought leadership Publications, speaking engagements
  • Discipline Disciplinary information may not be comprehensive, or updated. We recommend that you always check a lawyer's disciplinary status with their respective state bar association before hiring them.
Avvo Rating Levels
10.0 - 9.0 Superb8.9 - 8.0 Excellent7.9 - 7.0 Very Good6.9 - 6.0 Good5.9 - 5.0 Average4.9 - 4.0 Concern3.9 - 3.0 Caution2.9 - 2.0 Strong Caution1.9 - 1.0 Extreme Caution