Legal Question in Criminal Law in Hawaii

Hi

I was arrested for prostitution this weekend in Honolulu, and I am really scared as I am teacher.

Will I go to jailon the 28th of sep which is my court date? Or is it just to say your plea that day? I have already paid 500 for my bond. Please advise. I have provided you with some useful info about the prostitution law in hawaii.

Please advise.

Iman

A person convicted of committing the offense of prostitution shall be sentenced as follows:

(a) For the first offense, when the court has not deferred further proceedings pursuant to chapter 853, a mandatory fine of $500 and the person may be sentenced to a term of imprisonment of not more than thirty days or probation; provided that in the event the convicted person defaults in payment of the $500 fine, and the default was not contumacious, the court may sentence the person to perform services for the community as authorized by section 706-605(1).


Asked on 8/31/09, 5:03 am

1 Answer from Attorneys
Rustam Barbee Rustam A. Barbee, Attorney at Law

Yes, the offense is charged as a petty misdemeanor. Your first appearance is an arraingment for entry of not guilty plea and the court will refer you to get a lawyer or meet with the public defenders office for legal representation and schedule a trial date, probably for November. Depending on the facts of the case your lawyer can assess your chances of acquittal at trial or seek to obtain a reduced charge or a deferral.

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Answered on 9/10/09, 2:37 pm


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