Local Rule LCrR 5.1: Documents Signed by Criminal Defendants at Initial Appearance or Arraignment
D.N.H. — Criminal rule
5.1 Documents Signed by Criminal Defendants at Initial Appearance or Arraignment The following applies to initial appearances or arraignments pursuant to Fed. R. Crim. P. 5(g) or 10(c):
(a) Defense counsel may sign a document on behalf of a criminal defendant, or obtain an electronic signature from the defendant, after personally reviewing the substance and meaning of the document with the client and obtaining the client's consent to sign it. The magistrate judge will conduct a colloquy to confirm the defendant's consent during the hearing.
(b) Any documents signed by defense counsel on behalf of a client shall include a statement indicating that the document is signed by counsel with the permission of the defendant after review.
(c) This signature authority shall extend to the following:
(1) Requests to Appoint Counsel;
(2) Financial Affidavits; and
(3) Waivers, Consents and Stipulations to Detention and Other Stipulations.
(Added 12/1/23; title, introduction and § (a) amended 12/1/25)