Reporting a Crime
If this is an emergency, call 911.
If you think a crime has occurred or that you are the victim of a crime, you can report that crime to the police. To report a crime, such as physical or sexual assault, suspected child abuse, or violation of a restraining order, contact the police department where the crime occurred (not necessarily where you live). Click here for a list of Police Departments in the Upper Valley.
If you decide to report a crime, the police will take your statement (usually asking you to write it down), then it will be up to them to investigate the crime. If they are able to do so, they may arrest the person who they suspect committed the crime.
Being arrested is not the same as being convicted. A person who is arrested may be released soon after the police take them into custody. Sometimes a person will be released with certain "bail conditions."
- Bail conditions may sometimes include a requirement that the person stay away from you, but bail conditions are not the same as a restraining order. To learn more about restraining orders, click here.
- If you want to know if someone who was arrested has been released, "inmate roles" are public information. First, call the police department that arrested the person. If the police have transferred the person to another jail, you may contact the jail directly and ask if the person has been released.
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After an arrest, it is up to the prosecutor (sometimes call the 'County Attorney' or 'State's Attorney') to prosecute the crime on the State's behalf. You may be asked to be a witness in the case.
As you look through the pages of this section, please keep in mind:
Internet Safety: There are many ways for an abuser to track your computer or internet use. In many cases, it may be safer to use a computer that your abuser has never had access to, such as a computer in a public library, community technology center, or at the home of a trusted friend. To learn more about protecting yourself while using the internet, visit the New Hampshire Coalition Against Domestic and Sexual Violence Internet Safety Page.
Disclaimers: This website was created strictly for informational purposes and in no way should be construed to constitute legal services, advice or representation. Please consult an attorney in your state for legal advice pertaining to your particular situation.
Many pages on this website include links to other websites. All links will open a new window and direct you to an external website. While every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy and appropriateness of the links included, WISE does not assume responsibility for the accuracy of the information provided on an external website. Any links to external websites should be construed only as intended to imply potential interest to the reader, not as a referral of any kind.
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