At Martin & Hipple, we maintain strict values of client confidentiality. This means that, while very proud of our successes, we are not always able to share good news with others. We hope to use this page to share news with the public while still maintaining the confidentiality and anonymity of our clients, except in cases where our clients specifically authorize us to share identifying information.
Martin & Hipple Win Historic Right to Record Case
When Martin & Hipple client William Alleman was pulled over in the town of Weare, NH, he recorded the interaction with the officer with his cell phone. For this, Mr. Alleman was charged with wiretapping, a felony carrying up to seven years in prison. Attorney Seth Hipple filed a Motion to Dismiss arguing, among other things, that the right to record how public servants perform their public duties is enshrined in the First Amendment to the US Constitution. The Court agreed, dismissing the charges against Mr. Alleman, marking the first time in history that a New Hampshire Court affirmed what other Courts across the country had already said: recording public officials performing public duties in public is not a crime; it is a right protected by the Constitution. See coverage from the Union Leader here. Coverage by The New American is available here (PDF here).
West High student arrest video goes viral
Attorney Seth Hipple quoted as source on state wiretapping law in the New Hampshire Union Leader. Read More.
Independent Journalist Acquitted of Criminal Trespass
Independent journalist David Ridley set out to interview political leaders at an event with Vice President Joe Biden. Instead, he ended the day in handcuffs charged with criminal trespass. When the Secret Service decided that they preferred the mainstream reporters to Mr. Ridley's independent style, the manager of the Radisson in Nashua walked outside and told Mr. Ridley to leave. The manager did not identify himself, even after Mr. Ridley requested he do so. To be on the safe side, Mr. Ridley began to leave the property, walking backwards as his training as a videographer dictates so that he could continue to get a shot of the officers manning the vice president's security detail. However, this was not enough. As Mr. Ridley walked to his vehicle, two Nashua Police officers followed him and demanded he give his name and date of birth. Mr. Ridley refused, as there is no obligation to identify oneself in New Hampshire. Following this refusal, the officers arrested Mr. Ridley and charged him with criminal trespass, only a few paces away from his parked vehicle.
Attorney Seth Hipple represented Mr. Ridley at a bench trial. At trial, Attorney Hipple was able to prove through cross examination that Mr. Ridley had made significant progress towards his vehicle and was attempting to leave even as he was arrested. He was acquitted of criminal trespass following trial. Video of Attorney Hipple's comments following trial can be found here. A fuller write up of the trial can be found here.
Weare police face more federal lawsuits
Martin & Hipple file Federal Lawsuit for Constitutional Violations. Read More.
Weare Police ordered to return woman's confiscated video camera
Judge Orders Police to Return Unconstitutionally Seized Property to Martin & Hipple Client. Read More.
Tavern Owner and Martin & Hipple client George Hodgdon acquitted on all charges following trial.
A Weare bar owner was found not guilty of all charges Tuesday after being accused of misleading a police investigation into the assault of a Deering selectman. Read More.
Union Leader covers Martin & Hipple standing up for their client.
The owner of Palmer's Tavern filed a complaint Friday against the Weare Police Department, alleging on-duty, uniformed officers asked to place a political sign for incumbent Police Chief Gregory Begin on his property, violating state and federal campaign laws. Read More.
Martin & Hipple's fight for government accountability once again covered in the Union Leader.
Appearing on the Union Leader is an article entitled "Weare police charge man for recording traffic stop." You can view a copy of the article here.
Union Leader Covers Martin & Hipple's Fight For Accountability
Appearing on page A4 of the Union Leader is an article entitled "Activists Claim Police Won't Give Back Recording Devices." You can view a copy of the article here.
DUI Charges Dropped to Minor Traffic Violation
A DUI conviction carries serious criminal penalties. In addition to the stigma of a criminal record and the cost of undergoing alcohol awareness programs, a person convicted of DUI can have his or her license revoked for up to two years for a first offense. The minimum license suspension under the statute for a first offense is 9 months.
That is why our client was very happy when we were able to get a DUI charge dropped in exchange for a short stint of community service and a minor traffic violation. Our client did not even have to plead guilty. This positive outcome was due to our investigation into the incident, revealing problems with the way the police tested our client's blood. Due to uncertainty of winning at trial because of our investigative work, the prosecutor offered this favorable deal.
Catherine Bleish Found Not Guilty
Following a demonstration against Marijuana Prohibition (video here and here), Nashua Police arrested reporter Catherine Bleish of the Austin Free Press for disorderly conduct. A Nashua Police Officer ordered Ms. Bleish to leave the street after she attempted to document an ensuing arrest. Facing a large, barking dog, Catherine was given less than three seconds to leave the area before the officer with the threatening dog ordered his fellow officers to "lock her up right now." The State charged Ms. Bleish with "substantially interfering in a police investigation" on the theory that her leaning in to snap a picture of the arrestee caused "substantial interference."
To settle the case, the State offered Ms. Bleish a mere $250 fine and a violation-level offense in exchange for a guilty plea. Standing on principle, she refused this offer. Attorney Seth J. Hipple represented Ms. Bleish at trial, and, upon cross examining the officers, was able to prove that Ms. Bleish was not the cause of the substantial interference, if any, and further that she was not given an opportunity to leave after being ordered to do so. The Court took the case under advisement and issued an order of not guilty two days later. Martin & Hipple are proud to have represented Ms. Bleish in this important free speech case.
Felony Criminal Threatening Charges Dropped
Martin & Hipple enjoy winning at trial, but an attorney's job starts long before trial. Our firm works to resolve cases before they go to trial. That's why when a woman came forward to us telling us she was charged with a felony for protecting her neighbors, Martin & Hipple didn't just rely on the police reports. We contacted her neighbors. We encouraged our client to reject a plea offer of a Class B felony conviction, even though it didn't carry jail time.
We met and spoke to all witnesses to the events and prepared affidavits, communicating with the prosecutor every step of the way. When Martin & Hipple were done, it was clear to the prosecutor that our client did not deserve to be charged. While some believe that prosecutors simply want convictions at any cost, that was not the case in this instance. The prosecutor informed us on July 9, 2010 that he was dropping all charges in the interests of justice.
Felony "Wiretapping" Charges Dropped
It is an unfortunate fact that police departments sometimes charge individuals with "wiretapping" for simply holding a camera in a public place and pointing it at the police who are performing their public duties. One such individual came to our firm for help. In the weeks leading up to the court hearings, the police department continued to add new charges in an attempt to cow our client into pleading to a lesser charge. Martin & Hipple advised our client to hold firm. After arriving at the probable cause hearing prepared to argue zealously on behalf of our client, the prosecution informed us they were dropping all charges. Video of the aftermath can be found here.
Martin & Hipple are now pursuing all audio and video recording of the event in order to ensure that our client's rights are protected.