Misdemeanors

Misdemeanor Lawyer in Honolulu

Defending Your Record & Reputation Across Oʻahu

It is a mistake to treat a misdemeanor charge as a minor matter or a simple "ticket." While misdemeanors are less severe than felonies, they are still criminal offenses under Hawaii law. 

An arrest for a misdemeanor means you are facing a formal prosecution by the government that can result in immediate jail time, mandatory probation, financial penalties, and a permanent criminal record. 

Many people mistakenly assume they should plead guilty at their initial arraignment just to get the process over with. However, a misdemeanor conviction creates a permanent criminal record that shows up on background checks for the rest of your life, jeopardizing your current employment, professional licenses, housing applications, and future opportunities. 

Law Office of Brian S. Kim provides the strategic, trial-prepared defense necessary to aggressively fight back to protect your freedom, record, and future. We serve clients across Honolulu, Pearl City, Waimalu, East Honolulu, and all of Oʻahu, offering both office and virtual consultations with our Honolulu misdemeanor attorney.

Call (808) 207-7192 or contact us online to request a free initial consultation to discuss your misdemeanor arrest or charge.

Take Control of Your Misdemeanor Defense Strategy

Waiting to see what the state will do only gives the prosecution a head start. If you are facing a misdemeanor charge on Oʻahu as a local or as an island visitor, the choices you make right now can dictate your personal freedom and professional reputation for years to come. 

Our firm is ready to step in immediately to review your police file, identify law enforcement overreach, and construct a proactive plan to optimally resolve this matter with minimal disruption to your life. 

Take the first step forward by contacting our firm online or at (808) 207-7192 to arrange a free case evaluation with our Honolulu misdemeanor attorney today.

  • “Thanks to his hard work, we had a great outcome.”
    “We’re incredibly thankful to Lawyer Brian Kim for the amazing job he did representing our son.”
    - Satisfied Client
  • “Brian is Awesome.”
    “Very easy-going and handled everything like a true professional.”
    - Tory W.
  • “They will help you with your problems and make them go away.”
    “This was an amazing relief and amazing work by the Brian Kim Office, I highly recommend anyone dealing with traffic or speeding lawsuits.”
    - Jalen Y.
  • “I was satisfied with the outcome of my case!”
    “Highly recommend him to friends and family!”
    - JD
/

Why Choose Law Office of Brian S. Kim?

  • Free Initial Consultation
    Get clear answers about your legal options at no cost. Speak directly with an experienced defense attorney and learn how we can help protect your future.
  • Former Prosecutor Advantage
    Benefit from the unique insight of attorney Brian S. Kim, a former Honolulu deputy prosecuting attorney who understands how prosecutors build cases and how to challenge them effectively.
  • Dedicated Criminal & DUI Defense
    Whether you're facing DUI, drug charges, assault allegations, theft accusations, or other criminal offenses, we fight aggressively to protect your rights and future.
  • Traffic Ticket & License Protection
    From speeding and reckless driving citations to serious traffic violations, we work to minimize penalties and help you keep your driving privileges.

How We Work Against the Prosecution in Misdemeanor Cases

When you retain our firm, you gain a distinct, built-in advantage. Attorney Kim is a former Honolulu Deputy Prosecuting Attorney. Because he spent years building misdemeanor files for the state, he has an intimate understanding of how local Honolulu prosecutors evaluate evidence, how judges rule on procedural motions, and where flaws and weaknesses may lie in the government’s case. 

We implement a strategic, phased approach to your defense. 

Seeking direct dismissals: We comprehensively audit the police reports, bodycam footage, and witness statements. If local law enforcement violated your constitutional rights or lacked probable cause, we file formal motions to suppress the evidence, aiming to have your charges dropped before a trial is ever considered.

Leveraged negotiations: If a dismissal is unavailable, we negotiate from a position of investigative and strategic strength. We fight to secure alternative outcomes, such as a deferred acceptance of a guilty or no-contest plea. 

Under a deferred plea, the court pauses the conviction; as long as you stay out of trouble for a specified period, the charges are dismissed, leaving you with a clean record. 

Uncompromising litigation: If the prosecution refuses to drop the charges or offer a fair diversion program, Attorney Kim uses his courtroom experience and skills to take your case to trial before a judge and jury. 

Continue Reading Read Less

Why You Must Fight a Misdemeanor Charge

Accepting a misdemeanor conviction without a fight is a direct threat to your future. You should aggressively contest these charges for three vital reasons. 

The trap of collateral consequences: A domestic violence misdemeanor conviction will permanently strip away your constitutional right to own a firearm. A drug possession or theft misdemeanor can get you expelled from university programs, invalidate military security clearances, and cause employers to immediately discard your job application.

The risk of habitual escalation: Pleading guilty to a misdemeanor can set a legal trap for your future. For instance, while a first-time DUI or domestic abuse charge is a misdemeanor, Hawaii law dictates that repeat offenses within a specific lookback window automatically escalate into high-stakes, mandatory-jail felonies.

The case may be inherently weak: Police officers frequently rush misdemeanor investigations, rely on hearsay, conduct unlawful searches without a warrant, or fail to properly read Miranda rights. An experienced defense attorney can expose these flaws to cripple the prosecution's case.