Charged with a crime in Rockingham County? We don’t flinch — we fight. At The Law Office of Matthew W. Peterson, our aggressive criminal defense team takes on the toughest cases across New Hampshire, from Brentwood and Candia to Derry, Hampton, Portsmouth, and Salem. We know the courts. We know the stakes. And we don’t stop until we win. Your freedom isn’t negotiable — it’s our mission. Let’s take the fight to them.
We’ve helped many clients achieve dismissals, acquittals, and reduced charges — and we’re committed to continuing that success.
We’re fully prepared to go to trial, and we don’t shy away from it. Prosecutors understand that we’re serious the moment we step into the courtroom.
Every case is deeply personal to us. We advocate with the urgency and commitment your situation deserves—because for many, the outcome truly matters.
You’re more than just a case number to us. We take the time to listen, develop a thoughtful strategy, and support you every step of the way.
EXCELLENT Based on 159 reviews Kieran TaylorTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Great preparation, great delivery and achieved desired outcome Caiden CarriganTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. had a great experience talking to elijah, he was very helpful and knowledgeable. gave a good overview and kept it concise. I would recommend. Darina KulahaTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Attorney Peterson is a highly knowledgeable lawyer and a pleasant person to work with. He was extremely helpful in an immigration matter of mine. Thank you! Sunny Daze413Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. I was arrested in March and held on a $200,000 bail—no bail bonds in Massachusetts, so you need real money. I didn’t have it, so I sat in jail facing mandatory minimums and heavy time. From day one, Attorney Matthew Peterson looked me in the eye and said, “Let me get you outta here and back to the free world.” He fought hard to get my bail lowered, and little by little, he knocked that $200k down—all the way to $7,500. After 9 months, he asked, “Can you pay that?” I said yes. He said, “You’ll be home.” And I was. He was always reachable. I could text him at 2 a.m. on a Saturday night and have a reply by Sunday. What lawyer do you know who answers on a Sunday? That alone tells you how serious he is. We prepped for trial, filed motions, had a full game plan. He was ready to destroy the first case—easy work for him. But the second charge was riskier, and I was facing real time. The state offered a plea that brought me way below the mandatory minimum. It gave me a shot at moving forward with my life. Matt told me, “I didn’t go to law school to take pleas—I fight trials. But this is your life, and I’ve got your back.” I decided to take the deal, and I don’t regret it. I didn’t walk away completely free—but I walked away with a future, and that’s because of him. If you’re ever in a serious legal situation in Massachusetts, don’t wait. Call Matthew Peterson. He’s a fighter, a strategist, and a real one. SimonTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. I had a great experience speaking with Elijah from the Law Office of Matthew W. Peterson. Elijah was incredibly friendly and easy to talk to. He took detailed notes about my case and went above and beyond by diligently pulling court records to better understand my situation. Although I ultimately did not proceed with the firm due to timing reasons, I truly appreciated the professionalism and care shown during our initial conversation. Elijah made a strong impression, and I wouldn’t hesitate to reach out to this office again in the future. Nick WilliamsTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. “From the beginning of my journey with the Law Office of Matthew W. Peterson, Office Assistant Earl was incredibly thorough, consistent, and helpful. His professionalism set a positive tone right from the start. Attorney Chris O’Brien was equally impressive—his confidence and detailed breakdown of my case instantly put me at ease. He helped alleviate my stress and worry with his clear guidance. I truly believe I made the best decision in choosing this firm!” Dean VinciTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Elijah was extremely helpful and it was late. He is definitely a hard worker. Thank you Michael CooleyTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. I had an outstanding experience with the Law Office of Matthew Peterson. Attorney Peterson was both pleasant and highly knowledgeable, taking the time to truly understand my case and committing to work diligently on my situation. His professionalism and clear communication gave me confidence in the process ahead. His assistant, Earl, was equally impressive—courteous, efficient, and well-organized. I genuinely look forward to working with this firm and highly recommend them to anyone seeking committed legal representation. CR Masonry Services LLC 857-452-5799Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. The best attorney I've ever had and I've had quite a few unfortunately. Matthew went above and beyond had my case dismissed. Extremely highly recommend Matthew w Peterson. You want Justice give him a call... Rey TejedaTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. 10/10 legal services. Can't recommend enough. Mr. Manchinton, went to BAT for me. He was very transparent and always kept me in the loop. He let me know all the possibilities and never gave me a sense of false hope. The whole team kept me informed on dates and time and it was overall a spectacular experience. Thanks for everything Bill! I will be calling you in the future (hopefully not :p)Verified by TrustindexTrustindex verified badge is the Universal Symbol of Trust. Only the greatest companies can get the verified badge who has a review score above 4.5, based on customer reviews over the past 12 months. Read more
We don’t play defense—we go on the attack. At the Law Office of Matthew W. Peterson, we fight relentlessly for your freedom across Rockingham County and New Hampshire, including Brentwood, Candia, Derry, Hampton, Portsmouth, and Salem. Criminal charges don’t scare us. We bring precision, power, and results. No excuses. No compromises. Just a battle-tested defense that wins.
We thoroughly examine your case to understand the details that shape your defense.
We craft a tailored strategy to help you win your case efficiently.
Once retained, we start building your defense with expert guidance and unwavering support.