Areas of Practice
Criminal Defense and DUIs
When the government accuses someone of breaking or violating the law, it’s usually going to be a criminal case. Criminal cases can range from traffic violations and tickets such as speeding, reckless driving, or DUIs to felonies like arson, negligent homicide, and sex assault, and many charges in between.
A criminal conviction can have devastating consequences throughout your life; sometimes in the form of punishment by the court such as fines or imprisonment but other times as loss of employment, loss of driver’s license, a ruined reputation, or loss of constitutional rights.
Temporary Restraining Orders
Conflict may be a part of life, but when someone is threatening you or your child it may be time to seek a court order. A temporary restraining order (TRO) or an order of protection can order someone to leave you alone which can include provisions for not contacting you; approaching within a certain distance of you, your home, and/or workplace; and to not threaten you, among other things. At the same time, it’s important to know what a TRO can and cannot do and what that entails for the person seeking the court order against another.
If you’ve been accused of violating a TRO that was previously granted or if someone is trying to obtain a TRO against you right now, you may very well have a defense and it’s vital to consult with an attorney early on in the process
Civil Claims
Civil claims are generally any type of legal claim that is not criminal. Though there are many types of civil legal issues, some common issues include wrongful death and personal injury, neighbor and/or property disputes, breach of contract, and constitutional violations.
We evaluate civil cases on an individual basis to make sure we can best represent you in the area of law pertaining to your case or otherwise be able to refer you to an attorney who specializes in that area.
Juvenile Justice & Defense
In Hawaiʻi if your minor child is accused of a crime they will likely be seen in Family Court in a closed proceeding with different terminology and rules than “adult court”. Make sure your child is represented by an attorney who specializes in juvenile criminal law and understands the system, rights, and options your child has when going to court together.
Environmental Law
Not every attorney specializes in environmental law issues, and not every attorney has a background in environmental science with honors or an environmental law certificate. Many environmental law issues revolve around complicated or poorly written administrative rules, outdated statutes, and even (at least in Hawai’i) constitutional rights as well as science and its application within the legal system. Geothermal development in Puna, telescopes on Mauna Kea, wind farms at South Point, and illegal fish collecting are some examples of environmental law issues.
Additional Practice Areas
We welcome anyone looking for an attorney regarding a legal issue in Hawaii to contact us. On a case-by-case basis we will handle additional types of work including, but not limited to, trust and estate planning and will drafting, contract review, real estate consultation, and more. If we can’t take on your case, we will try to refer you to an attorney who specializes in your type of issue.