A-1 Podcast with A-1 Nick

A-1 Nick of the A-1 Podecast recaps Tomi Lahren's presentation at the 2020 PBUS Winter Conference.

PBUS (Professional Bail Agents of the United States ™) is a professional association representing bail agents nationwide.

February 23-26, 2020, the PBUS winter conference took place in Las Vegas and hosted many keynote speakers.  

Tomi Lahren, a FoxNews contributor and host of FoxNation, spoke to a crowd of PBUS members at the Luxor Hotel and Casino.  

She mentioned the need for:

1) controlling the narrative of bail reform
-using buzzwords that help everyday people understand the bail industry and the dangers of badly engineered reforms

2) being true to oneself 
-never letting opponents silence you by calling you mean spirited names like bigot, nazi, or racist.  Just stay true to yourself and tell the factual truth, never be silenced.

3) skin in the game
-the rich and powerful people that are rarely the victim of crime predictably advocate the releasing of dangerous people, because this does not effect people in gated communities, or their own private security.  Instead, it only allows dangerous people, to continue the cycle of crime, within the marginalized communities they are re-released to. 

Lastly, A-1 Nick explains how Ms. Lahren's television persona differs from her in-person persona.  Yes, she is opinionated, but also yes, she is humble and willing to learn in order to relay the best, more accurate information on her show.

A1 Nick of the A1 Podcast sits down with city prosecutor candidate RJ Brown.

Mr.  Brown is a former deputy prosecutor and currently practices in the area of civil litigation.  As a Deputy Prosecuting Attorney for the City & County of Honolulu, he prosecuted more than 20 felony jury trials on charges ranging from drug possession to murder. 

Mr. Brown earned his Juris Doctor from William S. Richardson School of Law, University of Hawaii at Manoa.  

Mr. Brown has been selected to the 2019 Hawaii Super Lawyers®, "Rising Star" list  in the practice area of Business Litigation.

Mr. Brown has been a guest lecturer at the William S. Richardson School of Law, where he taught the Space Law and Policy class. He interned at the Hawaii Office of Aerospace Development which exists to help further growth of space and aerospace industries in Hawaii. 

In law school, Mr. Brown was a two-time “Co-Champion” of the Susan B. McKay Competition (2012, 2013), and a two-time quarter-finalist of the Manfred Lachs Space Law Moot Court Competition (2012, 2013). Mr. Brown was also selected by his peers to deliver the full-time student commencement speech for his graduating class.

Mr. Brown externed for Judge John F. Stavely, Boulder County Court, 20th Judicial District.

Mr. Brown attended the University of Colorado at Boulder where he earned his BA in Journalism while playing linebacker for the football team.  He was selected by players to be a team captain and earned Big XII academic honors.  Mr. Brown also graduated from Punahou School and has been a longtime volunteer for Big Brother Big Sisters Honolulu.

Former prosecuting attorney and current criminal defense attorney Megan Kau joins A1 Nick of A1 bail bonds to discuss her candidacy for Honolulu's 2020 City Prosecutor's race.

Megan K. Kau is a former city prosecutor (2010-2015) and current criminal defense attorney.  She has practiced in civil litigation, personal injury, and select felony criminal matters, mainly of which are white collar crime cases, homicides, and sexual assaults.  She has completely over 45 jury trials.

She is well known within legal circles for her successful prosecution of defendant Joseph Vaimili for promoting prostitution in the first degree.  Although Vaimili jumped bail, Ms. Kau successfully petitioned the court to allow for his prosecution, despite the fact his location was unknown during trial.  

Ms. Kau is a graduate of the University of Hawaii.  She graduated from Santa Clara Law School in 2003.  She is also a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) (non-practicing).

Link to the pretrial task force HCR 134 report available via link:
https://19of32x2yl33s8o4xza0gf14-wpengine.netdna-ssl.com/wp-content/uploads/HCR134-Task-Force-on-Pretrial-Reform_Final-Report_12.14.18.pdf

A1 Nick, aka GotBailNick, of A-1 Bail Bonds sits down with attorney David Hayakawa to discuss the January 19th 2020 diamond head shooting which left two Honolulu Police Officers (Officers Tiffany Enriquez  and Kaulike Kalama) and landlord Lois Cain dead.  Mr. Hayakawa has a unique perspective having fought a 7 year legal battle again shooter Jaroslav “Jerry” Hanel (who was known to his neighbors as "Jarda") and describes the now deceased shooter's erratic behavior, mental illness, and personality quirks.  

No one suspected Mr. Hanel was capable of killing his landlord, who let him live downstair for roughly 11-15 years rent free.  Unfortunate and disheartening, Mr. Hanel ambushed two police officers responding to the stabbing of a second neighbor after killing his landlord.  The presumed fire set thereafter by Mr. Hanel burned 7 of the surrounding houses.  Although the investigation is still ongoing, Ms. Cain remains were verifiedt, and Mr. Hanels remains are presumed to be the second of the two found in the ashes.  

This shooting has been a tragedy for Hawaii's community and I urge anyone wishing to help, to please donate to Officer Enriquez's gofundme page, which I have verified as legitimate through the Honolulu Star-Advertiser: 

Star-Advertiser article for link verification:
https://www.staradvertiser.com/2020/01/21/breaking-news/two-verified-gofundme-campaigns-pop-up-for-fallen-honolulu-police-officers/

Verified Gofundme for the Enriquez family
https://www.gofundme.com/f/tiffany-enriquez-ohana-fundraiser

According to a facebook post, by a trusted friend, former prosecutor, and very trustworthy attorney, here is the official gofundme page for Officer Kalama.  

https://www.gofundme.com/f/official-page-for-quotkkquot-kalama

There is also a gofundme page for Adam & Racheal Patterson, a family displaced by the fires.  The details are below:

https://www.gofundme.com/f/adam-amp-racheal-patterson?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=p_cp+share-sheet

Waikiki School PTO with the support of Waikiki School has set up a gofundme for the two school ohanas that were impacted by the tragic events of Sunday (Patterson Ohana - 7 members and Ricardi-King Ohana - 3 members).   The link to the gofundme is below.  

In addition to raising money for these two families that have lost everything, we are also looking for long-term housing within the vicinity of Waikiki School, vehicle for the Ricardi-King ohana and a rentable storage unit (3-months) for all the generous donations.   

The school and the PTO are working with these families on developing a list of items needed once housing is secured.   Please pass this message along to your viewers.   We are in need of the Aloha spirit!

https://www.gofundme.com/f/ohanas-need-our-support?utm_source=customer&utm_medium=copy_link&utm_campaign=p_cf+share-flow-1

Asian Massage Parlor Special

00:10 What is unique about the way Asian Massage Parlor workers are charged?
2:03 Are sealed indictments legal?
2:47 What are the advantages of hiring an attorney or bail agent BEFORE charges are filed?
4:53 Are sealed indictments necessary or appropriate?
5:29 What should a worker do once questioned or once identification is given to law enforcement?
6:33 Is it typical for defendants to be overcharged in Asian Massage Parlor cases? 
7:15 Is there a smarter way to stop prostitution?
8:44 Why are there so many co-defendants in Asian Massage Parlor cases?
10:00 Are the women charged actually engaging in predatory schemes to force victims of human trafficking into forced sexual acts?
12:00 Law enforcement rarely go after property owners of Asian Massage Parlors.
14:00 How should we be fighting human trafficking / sexual slavery in Honolulu?
Attorney Myles Breiner and A1NICK aka gotbailnick discuss the current sweeps/raids on Asian Massage Parlors here in Honolulu.

Currently, approximately 40 women in 2019 have been indicted for:

Illegal ownership of a business
promoting prostitution
prostitution

Politically, the prosecutor's office has branded the efforts an attempt to limit human trafficking.  

Attorney Myles Breiner has represented several women involved in the raids, and has earned favorable outcomes for each client.

Bail Bond Agent A1Nick has bailed out a majority of the women involved.

During this discussion, Mr. Breiner and A1Nick talk about the difficulties in helping clients involved in a sealed or confidential indictment.  

It's still very possible to make arrangements to turn in and bail out quickly, its just very difficult to get the information needed.

Consequently, attorneys may still represent clients, however, many of the details of the case, won't be available until AFTER the warrant has been served.  Which means, those exposed to criminal liability never truly know if the case is active or inactive.

A1Nick at A-1 Bail Bonds talks to attorney Myles Breiner about what to do if you have been arrested, but not yet charged with a crime. Attorney Breiner is currently a private criminal defense attorney with past experience as a deputy city prosecutor.  He has been practicing law for 30 years and has represented clients in state and federal court.

Find us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/gotbailhi/
Visit us online: https://www.gotbailhi.com/
In this interview, A1Nick, also known as "gotbailNick" asks:

"What do I do if I've been arrested, but not charged with a crime?"

Answer: its important not to make a statement

"When should I see an attorney?"

Answer: You should be proactive and see an attorney immediately.  

"Can an attorney visit me while in custody at HPD main?"

Answer: An attorney can visit you at any time.

"What are some advantages to turning in AFTER speaking with an attorney and/or bail bond agent?"

Answer:  An attorney can act as a representative on your behalf to make sure your rights are not violated.  An attorney can reach out to the detective involved in the case and state that you're not going to comment or participate in their investigation.  You always have the right to remain silent and having an attorney communicate "on your behalf" protects you from further criminal liability.

Having a bail agent lined up streamlines the process, so that in the event you are charged with a crime, you can make one phone call to your family or attorney, and they can arrange for a bail out.  Often times, you're only given ONE phone call, so it's important to make it count.

"Can you explain the 48 hour investigation period?"

Answer: The police have 48 hours to charge or release you on a felony investigation.  During that time, its important NOT to make any self incriminating statements.  Its takes discipline, commitment, and will power to patiently wait to see if you are charged with a crime.  But the key is to not fall victim to any scenario where you are promised a quick release, if you just confess or give a few details about a criminal matter.

"What's the difference between a felony or misdemeanor domestic violence case?"

Answer: The bail amount and penalties are far greater for felony abuse case.  It's important to reach out to an attorney early in the process, since many times, in the heat of the moment, poor choices or reactions to a stressful event, may in fact sort themselves out, WITHOUT the court sentencing a person to jail time.  In order to resolve such issues, its important to consult with an attorney earlier, rather than later so that a solution may be reached, without a mandatory term of imprisonment.  

*The questions and answers in this section have all been paraphrased.  Watch the interview to get the full transcript.