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Questions Answered by Mark Simonds
1 Answer | Asked in Criminal Law for Hawaii on
Q: Oh and I nearly forgot when they took me to the holding cell .I was repeatly asking to talk to my lawyer

They just kept ignoring me I felt like they were not honoring my rights so when they questioned me I just answered making up wat ever because I felt they were not respecting my rights

Mark Simonds
Mark Simonds
answered on Apr 3, 2023

When someone is in police custody, and subjected to interrogation, all questioning must cease if the person detained requests a lawyer. Also, if the person detained asserts their right to remain silent, police must cease questioning, however, my resume questioning at a later time. Please talk to... Read more »

1 Answer | Asked in Criminal Law and Traffic Tickets for Hawaii on
Q: Backing out of supermarket stall I bumped into someone behind. There was no damage.The lady said I dont know what to do

I told the lady there was no damage. There was lots of traffic backing up. I got back into my car pulled out and as I was moving forward the lady grabbed onto my cars driver side mirror almost pulling it off. I told the lady there was no damage get off my car. She let go. So I left thinking she... Read more »

Mark Simonds
Mark Simonds
answered on Oct 10, 2022

I recommend that you hire a competent attorney, or, if financial circumstances do not permit that, to apply for the services of a public defender. Depending on how you are charged, this is a matter which could result in the potential for jail time under these facts, possibly up to 10 days! While... Read more »

1 Answer | Asked in Criminal Law for Hawaii on
Q: If my friend is gonna get charged with a promoting a detrimental drug but everything was in my truck, if I come

Forward and say it wasn’t theirs? Would they get let go? It was in my truck so?….

Mark Simonds
Mark Simonds
answered on Sep 17, 2022

Aloha, as you could potentially incriminate yourself and get charged, I would advise you assert your 5th Amendment Right to remain silent. But, if your friend calls you as a witness at trial you should seek the advice of an attorney.

I wish you the best of luck.

1 Answer | Asked in Criminal Law for Hawaii on
Q: Is promoting gambling in the second degree a felony in hawaii?
Mark Simonds
Mark Simonds
answered on Sep 17, 2022

It is a misdemeanor. Hawaii Revised Statutes, § 712-1222 (2013 reads as follows:

Promoting Gambling In the Second Degree.

(1) A person commits the offense of promoting gambling in the second degree if the person knowingly advances or profits from gambling activity.

(2)...
Read more »

1 Answer | Asked in DUI / DWI and Civil Rights for Hawaii on
Q: What does saying "I don't answer questions" do you have legal rights?
Mark Simonds
Mark Simonds
answered on Jul 15, 2022

Under the 5th Amendment to the United States Constitution and the equivalent provision of the Hawai’i State Constitution you have the right to remain silent, in just about all interactions with the government. In other words, you cannot be compelled to speak with government officials, to... Read more »

1 Answer | Asked in Health Care Law, Gov & Administrative Law and Municipal Law for Hawaii on
Q: Does smoke penetrating homes from neighbors backyard fire, and creating health issues, come under Hawaii nuisance law?
Mark Simonds
Mark Simonds
answered on Jun 25, 2022

An open outdoor fire or open burning emits pollutants directly into the air and includes agricultural, residential, and prescribed burning. The rules regulating open burning are Hawaii Administrative Rules (HAR) Section 11-60.1 Subchapter 3. Generally open burning is prohibited with a few... Read more »

1 Answer | Asked in Criminal Law for Hawaii on
Q: I have a citation for assault 3rd. I am not guilty. My court date is June 2 2022
Mark Simonds
Mark Simonds
answered on Jun 10, 2022

Aloha,

You have some very important Constitutional rights. First of all, you have the 5th Amendment right against self incrimination; the 6th Amendment right to counsel, and to a jury trial if you so choose; and the 5th and 14th right to du process. Probably the most important of these...
Read more »

1 Answer | Asked in Criminal Law and Landlord - Tenant for Hawaii on
Q: Can a landlord make a police report on a tenant for criminal property damage? Tenant and guest damaged rental property.

Tenant and tenant's guest severely damaged glass windows and removed window screens of rental property. Tenant has overstayed their 45 days notice to vacate and has not paid any rent has become a nonpaying holdover tenant.

Mark Simonds
Mark Simonds
answered on Apr 25, 2022

In Hawaii, under your scenario, a person commits the offense of criminal property damage if by means other than fire (which would be arson), the person intentionally or knowingly damages the property of another without the other's consent. As the rental unit is your property you are well... Read more »

1 Answer | Asked in Traffic Tickets for Hawaii on
Q: Is it legal for field sobriety check points to block the only legal u turn area within the vicinity of the checkpoint

I was leaving marine corps base hawaii on 29 July, 2022 on John A. Burns hwy and took exit 15 to go to my home in Kailua. I encountered a field sobriety check point on Kaneohe bay Dr. right to the right of exit 15 under the bridge. The first and only legal u turn area in that direction was blocked... Read more »

Mark Simonds
Mark Simonds
answered on Aug 15, 2022

When you go to court, be prepared to show the prosecutor proof that your vehicle was insured on the day in question. The charge should be dismissed on proof shown.

1 Answer | Asked in DUI / DWI for Hawaii on
Q: I was charged with a DUI but the case was dismissed. Can’t the court just call the DMV to get driverslicense reinstated?
Mark Simonds
Mark Simonds
answered on Apr 17, 2022

If you were arrested for Operating a Vehicle Under the Influence of an Intoxicant in Hawaii, you are not only subject to the criminal charge in District Court, but Administrative Driver’s License Revocation Office proceedings as well. As such, even if the criminal case in court is dismissed, your... Read more »

1 Answer | Asked in Criminal Law for Hawaii on
Q: i have evidence of person telling me that he planted something on me so that the cops can raid my house

many things in my case being over looked by my layer and the police that makes me question the integraty of everything in my case

Mark Simonds
Mark Simonds
answered on Apr 17, 2022

Aloha, you have a Constitutional Right to not only have an attorney represent you, but to Effective Assistance of Counsel. To prove ineffective assistance of your attorney, you must show (1) that your trial lawyer's performance fell below an "objective standard of reasonableness" and... Read more »

1 Answer | Asked in Tax Law for Hawaii on
Q: I was given a motor vehicle by a widow who's husband did not register and not paid annual vehicle tax for 15 years

Is it possible to ask a judge to waive or reduce the tax, the vehicle is in poor condition and not worth much

Mark Simonds
Mark Simonds
answered on Mar 23, 2022

Aloha, this is a question best left to your local DMV. Usually, if a car is not to be used for an extended period of time, it is advisable to turn in the license plates and obtain a "storage certificate" the issuance of same would stop registration fees and taxes from accruing. The courts... Read more »

1 Answer | Asked in Landlord - Tenant for Hawaii on
Q: I have been helping someone move out. I've been here for 2 months during the eviction process. Am I considered a tenant?

It is against "house rules" to have a guest for more than 5 days without having them register with management. I was never registered a a guest, but have witnesses to show I've been here for more than 2 months. Now that my friend is almost completely moved out, management gave me one... Read more »

Mark Simonds
Mark Simonds
answered on Mar 23, 2022

No. As you were never on the lease, and the tenant (your friend) moved out, you have no legal right to remain in the unit. Not to be blunt, that is just the state of the law.

1 Answer | Asked in Landlord - Tenant, Appeals / Appellate Law, Civil Litigation and Civil Rights for Hawaii on
Q: Are landlord required to notify tenants when a writ of possession is issued after default summary possession

Default was granted when answer was unable to be filed do to medical emergency

Mark Simonds
Mark Simonds
answered on Mar 23, 2022

What makes this question unusual is the date of same, March 5, 2022. In July of last year, Governor Ige signed into law Act 57, which required landlords and tenants to avail themselves to mediation prior to landlords filing eviction proceedings based upon non-payment of rent. Typically, landlords... Read more »

1 Answer | Asked in Car Accidents for Hawaii on
Q: Hit empty parked car; parked in a no parking area. Dropped off kids returned, wrote note, and waited. Their unlicensed.

Minor damage on back bumper. I took my kids to school and returned to find owner. The driver of parked car has no license. She says her husband has a license and will finish work at 230p. Pictures were taken and she took her kida to school. I didn't see the car, but assumed there is no car... Read more »

Mark Simonds
Mark Simonds
answered on Mar 23, 2022

Aloha, being that this occurred 3 weeks ago, the urgency has most likely passed. That said, you do have a duty to report most serious accidents that occur in or along Hawaii's public roadways. As the person whose car you struck was not operating the vehicle at the time, it is unlikely... Read more »

1 Answer | Asked in Real Estate Law for Hawaii on
Q: Have there been any cases before the courts in Hawai involving pickleball playing on tennis courts in an AOAO
Mark Simonds
Mark Simonds
answered on Mar 23, 2022

Interesting question! While there are no reported appellate decisions directly on point, there are appellate opinions that speak to use and/or alteration of common elements and/or limited common elements in a condominium regime. For example, take a look at AOAO v. Bowers, 125 Hawai'i 242 (ICA... Read more »

1 Answer | Asked in Real Estate Law for Hawaii on
Q: Other reasons a member of an Association needs to solicit proxies if there is no ELECTION at the Annual Meeting?

Hawaii State Statutes 514B

Mark Simonds
Mark Simonds
answered on Feb 12, 2022

In order to answer this accurately, it would be best to review the by-laws, along with the agenda for the meeting to determine what, if anything, was being voted on and to determine when a proxy may be properly used.

1 Answer | Asked in Car Accidents for Hawaii on
Q: What can be done about a victim who is not responding to a defendant’s efforts to pay owed restitution?

Restitution is owed for damage to a vehicle. The defendant’s insurance company has been trying to reach the victim for nearly 6 months to schedule an appraisal and get pictures of the damage, but the victim is not providing the necessary information.

Mark Simonds
Mark Simonds
answered on Feb 12, 2022

An insurance company will hold a claim open, usually for a few years, but if the claimant abandons it, then the matter is closed. Was this a traffic crime case? If so, the District Court may take no further action at some point. Feel free to reach out to me if you have any other questions.

1 Answer | Asked in Car Accidents for Hawaii on
Q: I hit an illegally parked car in a handicap spot who is responsible
Mark Simonds
Mark Simonds
answered on Feb 12, 2022

You are responsible if you acted intentionally, knowingly, recklessly, or negligently with respect to the operation of your vehicle. Accidents happen. However, if the operator of the other car parked in a manner that was a contributing factor to the collision (ex. Out of stall, obstructing a... Read more »

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