New Hampshire Charge Code Lookup

Type a New Hampshire charge code from a booking sheet, jail roster or ticket and see which law book and section it points to, with a link to the official text. It runs in your browser and nothing is stored.

Enter a code to see which law book it comes from and open the official text.

New Hampshire criminal code books and abbreviations

New Hampshire defines offenses in more than one law book, so the abbreviation on the record tells you which one:

  • RSA Title LXII (Criminal Code, chapters 625-651) (RSA). Sections are written as chapter:section (631:2), for example 631:2, 635:1. See section 631:2
  • RSA chapter 318-B (Controlled Drug Act) (RSA). Sections are written as chapter:section (318-B:2), for example 318-B:2, 318-B:26. See section 318-B:2
  • RSA chapter 265-A (Alcohol or drug impairment) (RSA). Sections are written as chapter:section (265-A:2), for example 265-A:2, 265-A:3. See section 265-A:2
  • RSA Title XXI (Motor Vehicles, chapters 259-266) (RSA). Sections are written as chapter:section (263:64), for example 263:64, 265:79, 262:23. See section 263:64
  • RSA chapter 173-B (Protection of Persons from Domestic Violence) (RSA). Sections are written as chapter:section (173-B:9), for example 173-B:9, 173-B:1. See section 173-B:9

After an arrest in New Hampshire: the first court appearance

A person arrested must be taken to appear before a circuit court or superior court without unreasonable delay to answer for the offense. (RSA 594:20-a, I)

The person shall be taken to appear before a circuit court or a superior court without unreasonable delay to answer for the offense.

New Hampshire courts call this hearing the arraignment.

What this page does not do

  • It does not look up a person, a booking or a case.
  • It does not say what a charge will lead to; the prosecutor decides what is filed.
  • It collects nothing; what you type stays in your browser.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I read a New Hampshire charge code?

Find the number and the abbreviation. RSA is used for the RSA Title LXII (Criminal Code, chapters 625-651) and the RSA chapter 318-B (Controlled Drug Act) and the RSA chapter 265-A (Alcohol or drug impairment) and the RSA Title XXI (Motor Vehicles, chapters 259-266) and the RSA chapter 173-B (Protection of Persons from Domestic Violence), so the title or chapter number in the cite tells them apart. A section is written as chapter:section (631:2). The lookup above links the official text.

How long can you be held in New Hampshire before seeing a judge?

A person arrested must be taken to appear before a circuit court or superior court without unreasonable delay to answer for the offense. (RSA 594:20-a, I).

Sources

Checked against the sources above on October 20, 2026.

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