Criminal Law

If someone is suspected of drunk driving, the police may perform a traffic stop. The police can use several tactics to investigate a driver of inebriation, typically starting with questions. Officers can also use field sobriety tests to investigate drivers. These...

Since Hawaii is considered a liberal state, many residents and visitors assume they can possess and use cannabis without consequence. Although the state does not have extremely harsh marijuana laws, the substance is not entirely legal. Users of the drug should realize...

For teenagers, obtaining a driver's license is often a rite of passage that marks their proximity to adulthood. For adults, having a driver's license is often a basic requirement of everyday life. There are many employers who expect new hires to have their own...

If a person feels threatened in some way, they might issue a restraining order. A restraining order — sometimes called an order of protection or protective order — is a tool that victims use to protect themselves from perpetrators. It orders abusers to stay away from...

Many people who maintain that they are innocent of criminal wrongdoing ultimately plead guilty to criminal charges. They believe they didn't do anything illegal, but they also convince themselves that they would never be able to win a criminal trial. Some people fall...

People react differently during DUI traffic stops. Some comply with the officer’s instructions and do not assert their rights. Others become agitated or angry, especially when they feel the stop was unwarranted. It is natural to feel upset if the police waste your...

Alcohol intoxication is a concern for anyone who has a few drinks and then needs to drive home. Not only is it unsafe to drive when alcohol is affecting a motorist’s driving ability, it is also illegal for people to operate motor vehicles when their blood alcohol...

If you're pulled over on suspicion of drunk driving in Hawaii, the police officer may ask you to take a Breathalyzer test. If you refuse, you may face serious consequences.  Here's what you need to know about Breathalyzers and DUI laws in Hawaii: Implied consent laws...

Illegal drugs have been a problem in Hawaii for many years, as anyone who was a fan of the original Hawaii Five-O back in the 1960s and 70s can tell you. However, many drugs – both legal and illegal – have gotten far more dangerous. Even drugs already known to be...

No matter the circumstances, resisting an arrest is never a great idea. Besides risking bodily harm, resisting an arrest can complicate your case and lead to additional charges. In fact, resisting arrest in Hawaii amounts to a misdemeanor. If convicted, you can serve...