Selected Criminal Defense Case Histories

Attorney Ryan Russman has won a great number of criminal defense cases. Even better, he has often managed to keep them from going to trial, saving his clients from considerable anguish of a trial and significant court-related costs.

Defense Attorney Russman approaches every case with the same vigor as a murder case. His aggressive efforts to win positive outcomes make him an ideal attorney for anyone accused of a crime.

Here are four examples of why you would want Attorney Ryan Russman to be defending you.

New Hampshire Criminal Defense Case 1

Mark M*., my client – an 18-year-old African American male--met 21-year-old Theresa at a raucous college party. After a few drinks, the two find an empty bedroom in which to have sexual intercourse.

As they begin, Theresa says, “Stop.” Mark complies. Theresa then comes onto him again and they resume intercourse.

The next morning, Theresa calls the police claiming she was raped and visits the local hospital. My client was arrested and charged with aggravated felonious sexual assault.

During extensive pre-trial research, I learned that before going to the hospital, Theresa visited her former boyfriend and slept with him. By my exposing this information during trial, the jury turned an unsympathetic ear toward Theresa and was unable to reach a verdict. In fact, the judge polled the jury and found that 11 of 12 jurors voted “not guilty.” The State decided not to retry the case.

New Hampshire Criminal Defense Case 2

Clint V, a lonely 43-year-old man from South Carolina, believed he met the woman of his dreams online. It turns out the “woman” was really a 14-year-old girl who led Clint to believe she was much older.

Fooled by the girl, Clint continued pursuing her online. The relationship culminated with his proposing to her and sending her a diamond ring. Sadly for Clint, he was arrested for solicitation of a minor over the Internet. He was extradited to New Hampshire were he was to stand trial.

Prior to trial, I deposed the young woman and discovered she never informed my client of her age. She admitted that she intentionally misled him.

Ultimately, I was able to save Clint from being convicted of a felony or having to register as a sex offender. He returned home a free man.

New Hampshire Criminal Defense Case 3

Martha P., a 36-year-old mother, was charged with domestic violence. She was arrested for assaulting her husband and obstructing the report of a crime.

Here’s what happened: During an argument, a neighbor called the police. Upon arrival, the police came to believe that my client was the initial aggressor. They took her into custody.

Prior to trial, the husband revealed that he, in fact, was the initial aggressor. At a pre-trial hearing, I was able to convince the judge that the case should be dismissed as the State was no longer able to have the husband testify as a witness against his wife. The judge agreed; all charges were dropped.

New Hampshire Criminal Defense Case 4

Bill M., a 29-year-old father of three, was food-shopping for his family. At the supermarket, he was accused of changing the price on shrimp from $50.00 to $5.00.

The State came to trial with a battery of three loss prevention officers plus several photos of the stolen property. (The store had restocked the shelves with the stolen items after they were recovered, which were subsequently sold.)

At trial I was able to show that the photos of the stolen items were insufficient evidence, an unacceptable substitute for the actual goods. Case dismissed.

*All names have been changed to preserve our clients’ privacy rights.