Honolulu Violent Crimes Lawyer

30+ Years Defending Violent Crime Cases in Honolulu

A violent crime charge in Hawaii moves fast. Police make arrests quickly, prosecutors file charges with serious sentencing exposure, and the decisions made in the first hours after an arrest can shape the entire case. I’ve handled criminal defense in Honolulu for over 30 years, and I represent clients at every stage: from the moment police begin investigating to the resolution of charges at trial or through negotiation.

Under Hawaii law, violent crimes cover a broad range of offenses. They include acts that cause direct physical harm, offenses where harm was intended but not necessarily completed, such as assault, and certain property-related offenses involving force or the threat of force. If you’re under investigation, you don’t have to wait for a formal arrest before retaining counsel. Early representation can affect how charges are filed, what evidence is gathered, and how your constitutional rights are protected during questioning. For a broader overview, visit my Honolulu criminal defense page.

Schedule a consultation at Law Offices of Steve Cedillos today by calling (808) 201-0496.

Violent Offense Types I Handle

Violent offenses in Hawaii are prosecuted across a spectrum of courts, from misdemeanors heard at Honolulu District Court to serious felonies tried at the First Circuit Court (Ka’ahumanu Hale). Some charges carry violent crime designations even without physical contact. Terroristic threatening and burglary, for example, can be charged as violent offenses based solely on the use of force or threat. My firm handles:

• Murder
• Assault and Battery
• Domestic violence and temporary restraining orders
• Rape
• Manslaughter
• Burglary
• Kidnapping
• Terroristic threatening

Penalties for Violent Crimes in Hawaii

The consequences of a violent crime conviction extend well beyond the courtroom. Hawaii classifies violent offenses as petty misdemeanors, misdemeanors, or Class A, B, or C felonies. A Class C felony carries up to five years in prison. A Class A felony carries a mandatory indeterminate term of twenty years. Where a charge lands on that range depends on factors the prosecution may use against you.

Sentencing exposure turns on prior criminal history, whether a weapon was involved, the severity of injury to the victim, and whether the offense involved a minor or a household member. Domestic and spouse abuse, for instance, is charged as a misdemeanor in many cases but can escalate to a Class C felony under certain circumstances. Beyond imprisonment, a conviction may require mandatory sex offender registration, and a permanent criminal record follows a defendant into every future job application, housing search, professional licensing proceeding, and firearm eligibility determination. The stakes are high, and the time to act is before those consequences become irreversible.

Why Honolulu Defendants Choose My Firm

I begin every case with a thorough assessment of the facts before recommending any course of action. That means reviewing the evidence, evaluating how the arrest was made, identifying constitutional issues, and determining what the prosecution will need to prove. Only after that review do I recommend a path forward: whether that means fighting charges at trial, negotiating a reduction, or pursuing dismissal.

More than 30 years of criminal defense practice in Honolulu has given me direct experience with the courts, the prosecutors, and the procedural landscape that shapes how violent crime cases are handled here. My consultations are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, because charges don’t wait for business hours and neither should your defense. For Honolulu’s large active-duty and veteran population, I also handle military criminal defense, including cases ranging from non-judicial punishment hearings to general courts-martial.

Contact my firm today at (808) 201-0496. We can work together to protect your rights and freedom.