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Segal Law Hawaiʻi
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Facing Criminal Charges? Build a Defense That’s Ready for Trial.

We defend criminal cases across Hawaiʻi, from DUIs and abuse charges to serious felonies like homicide and sexual assault. Brandon Segal is a former prosecutor. He knows how the government builds its case, and how to take it apart.

You have a right to an attorney if you are charged with a crime in Hawaiʻi.

The Sixth Amendment to the United States Constitution (along with its State counterpart, Article I, Section 14 of the Hawaiʻi State Constitution) is one of the most important constitutional rights you have.

The Sixth Amendment provides:

In all criminal prosecutions, the accused shall enjoy the right to a speedy and public trial, by an impartial jury of the State and district wherein the crime shall have been committed, which district shall have been previously ascertained by law, and to be informed of the nature and cause of the accusation; to be confronted with the witnesses against him; to have compulsory process for obtaining witnesses in his favor, and to have the Assistance of Counsel for his defence.

U.S. Const. amend. VI

In short, when the charges you are facing could result in your being imprisoned, then you have the right to an attorney. It does not matter whether or not you actually receive jail time. If imprisonment is even a possibility, then you have the right to a lawyer.

If you are indigent and cannot afford an attorney, one will be appointed to you, usually with the Office of the Public Defender. You are typically not able to choose your court-appointed attorney.

If you can afford an attorney, you have the right to hire an attorney of your choice. If you are facing criminal charges, you should immediately contact a private criminal defense attorney. A good criminal defense lawyer will make sure your rights, freedom, and liberties are preserved and protected as you navigate through the criminal justice system.

Why You Should Exercise Your Constitutional Right to an Attorney

A criminal defendant is facing the possibility of losing their freedom. An effective, competent criminal defense attorney is essential to ensure the defendant has somebody in their corner that understands the legal system. An experienced criminal defense attorney often can have a very positive influence on the outcome of a client’s case.

Defense by a Trial Attorney Who Was Once a Prosecutor

Brandon Segal began his career on the other side of these cases, as a Deputy Prosecuting Attorney for the County of Maui. There he supervised the Vehicular Homicide and Traffic Safety Unit and tried cases to verdict. His work included the office’s most technical cases: vehicular homicide and serious injury crashes built on accident reconstruction, crash data, toxicology and expert testimony.

That background helps when you are accused of a crime. He has stood where the prosecutor across the courtroom stands now. He knows how charging decisions get made and how a case is judged for trial. He knows how police reports are put together and where they are weak. He knows how the State prepares its experts, and what a prosecutor privately sees as the weak spots in their own case. He also knows how reconstruction and forensic findings are produced, so he can test them instead of just accepting them.

Most cases are settled based on what would likely happen at trial. A lawyer who is in court regularly, and who will take a case to a jury when that is the right call, has a stronger position in negotiations. Prosecutors know which lawyers try cases.

Fees and What to Expect

You tell us what you have been charged with, or what you are being investigated for, and where the case stands. There is no charge, and what you tell us is kept confidential.

We tell you honestly whether we think we can help and what the next steps would be. You are under no obligation to hire us, and nothing you say in the consultation commits you to anything. To schedule one, call us or send a message through our contact form.

We handle criminal defense on a flat fee. Instead of billing by the hour, we agree on one fee before you hire us. The fee, and exactly what it covers, is set out in a written fee agreement that we go over with you.

A criminal charge is stressful enough without an open-ended bill. With a flat fee, you know the cost of your defense from the start. You don’t have to watch an hourly bill grow.

Brandon Segal spent almost a decade as a Deputy Prosecuting Attorney for the County of Maui. He tried jury cases in Circuit Court, prosecuted felonies at every level, handled Family Court offenses, and worked the screening division, where he decided which cases would be charged and presented them to the grand jury. He later supervised the Vehicular Homicide and Traffic Safety Unit.

He knows how a police report is written and how a prosecutor reads it. He knows where investigations tend to cut corners, and what actually leads a prosecutor to reduce or dismiss a charge. We look at your case the way the State will, before the State does.

Not necessarily. Most criminal cases end without a trial. But how they end depends on what would likely happen at one. When we prepare a case for trial, we know how strong the evidence really is when we negotiate. And the other side always knows who tries cases.

If a case can’t be resolved on fair terms, Brandon is comfortable taking it to a jury. He has done it many times. Whether to accept an offer or go to trial is always your decision. Our job is to make sure you have what you need to make it.

A criminal case comes with unfamiliar terms, court dates and conditions you have to follow. We return your calls and messages promptly, and we explain where your case stands, what your rights are and what your options are in plain language.

Every major decision is yours, including whether to accept a plea offer. Our job is to make sure you have what you need to make it.

We update you as your case moves: when discovery comes in from the State, when an offer is made, and ahead of every court date.

You can also see your file any time, day or night, through our client portal.

Going through the criminal justice system can be overwhelming and frightening. You can start by contacting Segal Law at 808-865-2100 or online for a free consultation. Segal Law is located on Maui, but we represent criminal defendants throughout the State of Hawaiʻi.

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Talk to a lawyer who has worked as both a prosecutor and a defense attorney.

Segal Law offers a free consultation. Tell us what happened. Every conversation is confidential.

(808) 865-2100Contact us