"​First they came for the Jews and I did not speak out because I was not a Jew.
Then they came for the Communists and I did not speak out because I was not a Communist.
Then they came for the trade unionist and I did not speak out because I was not a trade unionist.
Then they came for me and there was no one left to speak out for me."

-Martin Niemoller

Andrew Cotrupi

Criminal Defense Attorney

Andrew Cotrupi is a premier seacoast criminal attorney, experienced in all aspects of criminal defense and injury cases.  He has dedicated more than thirty years representing accused citizens on charges of First Degree Murder, Drug Charges, OUI/DWI, Assault and more in State and Federal courts.  Attorney Cotrupi helps provide legal advice that is knowledgeable, clear and tailored to the facts of  your case. 

Attorney Cotrupi has been asked to train new and experienced defense attorneys, as well as  police officers throughout New Hampshire. With his extensive knowledge in the legal field and his original and aggressive defense, these training sessions are helpful to other legal professionals throughout the state.

Aggressive with a Purpose

​It is common to see attorneys claim they're "aggressive" or a "real pit-bull lawyer," implying that this will get you a better result. The reality is that many lawyers equate "aggressive" with "obnoxious." Being obnoxious rarely goes well with the police, a judge, a jury or the prosecution. It is always important to remember that if your lawyer is obnoxious, the only recourse is usually against you, the client. 

Being aggressive with a purpose is a very different concept. You want a lawyer who will work hard for you, who will not give up, and is not afraid to challenge anyone, anywhere on your behalf. This is aggressive with a purpose, and my approach is to relentlessly drive your case forward while remembering that the purpose of the fight is help the client, not satisfying the ego of the attorney.


​Proven Track Record
​
When the court system pushed for juvenile cases to be heard by "Marital Masters" instead of judges in an attempt to push more cases and save money, I objected. Marital Masters were not experienced or trained in criminal matters, and saving money at the expense of juvenile clients was unacceptable. This attempt by the legal system rejected the notion that juvenile cases should be entitled to the same level of judicial supervision as adult cases. We appealed and the Supreme Court agreed with us, changing the way all juvenile cases are tried in the state. See In re Nicholas G,  142 N.H. 38.

When the local County Attorney's office sent threatening letters to individuals accused to DWI to coerce them into pleading guilty, I objected. I argued that such threats were grounds for dismissal of the case, and they were.The County Attorney appealed to the State Supreme Court to have the decision reversed and my client set for trial. Once again I succeeded in having the case dismissed, this time for good, and the County Attorney's office was ordered to participate in ethics training. See State v. Chace,  151 N.H 310  and State v. Chace 03-CR-2342.

When 40 UNH students were arrested on hazing charges, they were offered a deal to plead guilty and complete community service with charges to be dropped a year later. Despite their innocence, most took the deal and only 3 students went to trial. All three were acquitted. See here.

When a man was charged with negligent homicide for driving under the influence of drugs/drug withdrawal, I challenged every piece of evidence, legal theory, and witness. We challenged the longstanding accepted practice of allowing lab supervisors to testify about work completed by other lab personnel, arguing that is denied the accused his opportunity to cross-examine his accuser. The trial court noted it was common practice and denied our argument. We took it to the State Supreme Court, who also denied our argument. Our appeal was taken on by the Appellate Defenders and brought to the United States Supreme Court, who agreed with our arguments and reversed the State Supreme Court's ruling. It is expected tat this case will alter the way all DWI, Drug, and Forensic cases are prosecuted in the state. See Dilboy v. New Hampshire 10-6278.

Learn more about past cases and my creative and aggressive approach here.


Other Engagements

• Featured speaker for the New Hampshire Criminal Defense Lawyer's Association on topics such as: cross examination; portable breath testing; and discovery practices in drug cases.

• Lecturer for the NH Public Defender's annual meeting on the use and cross examination of expert witnesses, and DWI defense.

• Featured speaker for the New Hampshire Bar Association Continuing Legal Education Program, "Sentencing Law and Practice From All Perspectives", November 9, 2012.

• Featured speaker for the New Hampshire Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers; A New Era of NH DUI defense, April 19, 2013.

​Courts Serviced Include: Portsmouth, Dover, Rochester, Hampton, Exeter, Candia, Salem, Manchester, Nashua, Concord, Ossipee, Newburyport, Lawrence and all other courts in New Hampshire and northern Massachusetts.

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