FAQ

criminal defense

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  • Get Legal Help For Your DUI – Contact Our Oahu Office For A Free Consultation
    You don’t have to accept a potentially damaging outcome from your DUI arrest without a fight. To learn how a DUI attorney in Honolulu can help you fight drunk driving charges, contact our office by sending us an email or by calling (808) 207-7192. We provide free consultations.
  • Can I refuse a field sobriety test if I am pulled over for suspected drunk driving in Hawaii?
    In Hawaii, you have the right to refuse field sobriety testing if you are pulled over for suspected drunk driving, and your refusal cannot be used against you in court. However, you might still be arrested for drunk driving based on other evidence the officer observes.
  • Do I need to install an ignition interlock device on my vehicle for my DUI?

    If you are convicted of a DUI in Hawaii, you may be required to install an ignition interlock device (IID) on your vehicle. An IID may be ordered by a judge as part of your sentence, especially if you refuse a breath or blood test. It might also be ordered as a condition of obtaining restricted driving privileges during your period of license suspension (often called a hardship license).

    This device is essentially a breathalyzer test connected to your vehicle, and it doesn’t allow the vehicle to start unless the driver can pass. The IID must be installed at your own expense, and you will need to use it for a specified period determined by the court.

  • What happens if I refuse to take a blood alcohol content test in Hawaii?
    By operating a vehicle, you give your implied consent to take a blood alcohol content (BAC) test. If you refuse to take such a test, the state can revoke your driver’s license for two to four years.
  • What are the penalties associated with a second DUI offense in Oahu?

    The sentence for each consecutive DUI is more severe than the one prior. For instance, the punishment for a second DUI conviction may include:

    • Fines between $1,000 and $3,000
    • Community service of up to 240 hours
    • License revocation between two and three years
    • Jail time of five to 30 days

    A subsequent offense will include even higher fines, greater community service hours and longer incarceration periods.

  • Do I really need a lawyer for my DUI charge in Hawaii?

    You have the right to represent yourself in court. However, this is not always wise and hiring a DUI lawyer in Hawaii is your best bet. Judges in Hawaii have a lot of discretion when it comes to assigning sentences. Your best chance of receiving a light sentence – or even of getting your charge dismissed – is to have a drunk driving defense lawyer who understands how to work with judges and the DA, or prosecutor.

    A drunk driving defense lawyer can also assist with matters involving the Administrative Driver’s License Revocation Office, usually called the ADLRO in Hawaii. Issues the Hawaii ADLRO is responsible for in drunk driving cases include:

    • Reviews and hearings regarding people’s driving privileges (and the subsequent decisions)
    • Issuing special permits to people who need to drive while their license is revoked
    • Keeping records related to license revocation

    With a DUI attorney from Honolulu by your side, these administrative processes will likely be easier to handle.