On 2/15/2013 at 10:00 A.M., before the Senate Judiciary and Labor Committee, Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Tricia Nakamatsu testified in support of SB192 that makes solicitation of a minor for prostitution a crime; increases the statute of limitations to bring a cause of action for coercion into prostitution from two to six years; clarifies the minimum and maximum fine for a person convicted of committing the offense of prostitution; adds the offenses of solicitation of a minor for prostitution, habitual solicitation of prostitution, and solicitation of prostitution near schools and public parks under the State’s forfeiture laws; and amends the definition of “sexual offense” under the sexual offender registry laws to include acts that consist of the solicitation of a minor who is less than eighteen years of age for prostitution. Nakamatsu also testified in support of SB194 that excludes certain offenses from eligibility to be granted a deferred acceptance of guilty plea.
At 2:00 P.M., Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Tricia Nakamatsu, Victim Witness Director Dennis Dunn, and I met with members of the Hawaii Prosecuting Attorney Association at our office.
At 3:45 P.M., I attended the swearing in ceremony of Dean E. Ochiai as judge for the Circuit Court of the First Circuit, and Kevin Souza as judge for the District Family Court of the First Circuit at the Hawaii Supreme Court.
At 6:30 P.M., I attended the karaoke social gathering of prosecutors and public defenders. I brought along my friend, private defense attorney Tommy Waters who served with me in the Hawaii State House of Representatives. Tommy is currently serving in the Judicial Selection Commission, appointed by House Speaker Calvin K.Y. Say, a mentor for the two of us. Also with us that evening was Hawaii State Representative Jimmy Tokioka who represents Western Kauai. I cherish the friendship I have with these two brothers of mine.
JON RIKI KARAMATSU 