Leonard D. Harden

Leonard D. Harden is an experienced trial lawyer practicing in Northern New Hampshire with offices in Lancaster, Littleton and Lebanon. He focuses on criminal cases including all level of offenses: felony, misdemeanors, DWI, assaults, drug defense and violent crimes. His in-depth knowledge and zealous handling of each case set him apart and make him successful. Attorney Harden is available 24 hours a day for emergency consultations with appointments at your convenience, (603) 788-2080.

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  Available 24 hours a day.

New Hampshire

Since 1993

Sole Practitioner

Harden Law

2003 - Current

Founded law office handling exclusively DWI and criminal defense

Managing Attorney

Twomey & Sisti

1997 - 2003

Manage Lancaster Office and handle all felony and misdemeanor charges.

Associate Attorney

Law Office of Thomas A. Rappa, Jr.

1993 - 1997

University of New Hampshire School of Law

J.D. (1993)

1990 - 1993

Queen's University Kingston Ontario

B.A.

1986 - 1990

Intoxilyzer 9000 Evidential Breath Alcohol Course

Industrial Training & Design Ltd.

2019

Organized and brought internationally known expert to NH to train lawyers on the Intoxilyzer 9000

2013 FST NHTSA Certificate

Corroto Enterprizes, LLC

2015

Completed 24 hour NHSTA student course 2015 manual.

American Academy of Forensic Sciences

Member

Current

NH Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers

Member

Current

National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers

Member

Current

National College of DUI Defense

Member

Current

NH Bar Association

Member

Current

Breath Test Issues, A Practical Guide to Trying DWI Cases in NH

MCLE

2010

Relentless Criminal Cross Examination

James Publishing

2008

Breath Testing, Strategies in Defending DWI and DUI Cases in NH, Manchester, NH

June 1, 2008

NHACDL

Understanding GC Blood Testing, Forensic Science, Manchester, NH

June 1, 2010

NHACDL

Practical Training in Field Sobriety Testing, Forensic Science, Manchester, NH

June 1, 2010

NHACDL

Breath Testing, Advanced DWI, Manchester, NH

June 1, 2011

NHACDL

Cross Examing Officer, Advanced DWI, Manchester, NH

May 2, 2012

NHACDL

Field Sobriety Testing

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)

Instructor Field Sobriety Testing

NHTSA

Breath Test Operator

Industrial Training & Design

Intoxilyzer 8000

MD Marketing

Q. Does a DUI case have the right to a speedy trial?

April 19, 2024

A: All cases are entitled to a speedy trial but the reality is to win based on a denial there is a difficult almost impossible test.

The Superior Court speedy trial policy is set forth in the Superior Court Rules. The policy incorporates the four-part speedy trial analysis of Barker v. Wingo, 407 U.S. 514 (1972): (1) the length of the delay; (2) the reason for the delay; (3) the defendant’s assertion of his right to a speedy trial; and, (4) the prejudice to the defendant caused by the delay. State v. Brooks, 162 N.H. 570 (2011).

The superior court policy provides that the State has six months to bring an unincarcerated misdemeanor defendant to trial from the time the charges are filed, nine months for an unincarcerated felony defendant, and four months for an incarcerated defendant.

The starting point in the speedy trial analysis is when the defendant is arrested or charged. Humphrey v. Cunningham, 133 N.H. 727, 734 (1990). ... Read More

Q. Could you help me interpret this NH statute about tolling statutes of limitations?

April 1, 2024

A: The starting point for determining whether the statute of limitations bars prosecution is RSA 625:8. The general rule is that the State has six years to prosecute a felony, one year to prosecute a misdemeanor, and three months to prosecute a violation, RSA 625:8, I (a)-(d), but the statute contains numerous exceptions. Murder, for instance, may be prosecuted at any time. Sex offenses where the victim was under eighteen at the time of the alleged offense may be prosecuted until the alleged victim turns 40. RSA 625:8, III (d). Note that if the victim was over eighteen at the time of the assault, the general six year limitation applies. Amendments eliminated the limit for crimes involving falsification in official matters related to murder, and expanded the limits for violation-level motor vehicle offenses resulting in death or serious bodily injury (six months) and for human trafficking (20 years/victim turns 38). RSA 625:8, III (g-i).

The statute of limitations begins to run when all the elements of the offense have occurred. RSA 625:8, IV. If the crime is a “continuing offense,” the statute does not begin to run until the defendant’s complicity in the offense terminates. State v. Amerigas Propane, 146 N.H. 267, 269 (2001). This provision may be applicable in pattern sexual assault prosecutions. State v. Fortier, 146 N.H. 784, 790 (2001) (defining pattern of sexual assault as continuing offense).

The State generally satisfies the statute of limitations if it files a charge or issues a warrant between the time when the limitations period began, and the time when RSA 625:8 dictates it is supposed to end. RSA 625:8, V; see State v. Maxfield, 167 N.H. 677 (2015) (holding that the fact police obtained arrest warrant during limitations period tolled the statute, despite the fact that the State neither executed the warrant nor filed a complaint during the limitations period). The limitation period is tolled when the accused is continuously absent from the state, or is the subject of a related prosecution for which the State has satisfied the statute of limitations; i.e., those periods of time do not count against the State in calculating the applicable limitations period. RSA 625:8, VI. See also Nadler, 151 N.H. at 246-47 (holding that statute tolled regardless of defendant’s motive for leaving state, i.e., State need not prove defendant actively fled prosecution). ... Read More

Q. My son’s been stressed due to separation/divorce. He has guilt & remorse for rough handling of 6-mo son at 4 AM changing

January 17, 2024

A: The allegations are very serious. The potential exists for there to be felony charges depending on if there was in fact a serious bodily injury. It is vital that your son not talk to the police or DCYF without speaking to a defense lawyer. The facts may also reveal that it was not a criminal matter. Contact a good lawyer ASAP.