I was busted last night in Honolulu by a sting operation.
I called from an ad on Backpage, left a discreet message.  Got a call back and set to meet her.
We discussed stuff and I was dumb enough to mention oral sex.
when we walked around the corner to go to her place I was arrested.  The cops took me to an atm on the way to jail so I could get the money for bail ($500)
I go back to California Sunday but have a court date in September.
Other than the fact that I'm a total idiot, any suggestions on what I do?
By the way, I did a review on her which hasn't posted yet, but here is one of her ads:

Don't go to that court date unrepresented. Find an attorny that practices in Hawaii...

Hope this is an expensive lesson you learned to think with the head on your shoulders and not in your trousers and not deal with BP ads of the unreviewed.

You are lucky they took you to an ATM to get bail money.. I'd think most fuzz could care less what your problem is.

Good luck... Hope you do not have a SO to come clean too...

First thing I would do is get a lawyer that specializes in these kinds of situations. Then I would listen to him/her. I would also start saving my money, this is going to cost you even if you win. If you are married I would talk to a family law attorney as well, then tell your wife. She is going to find out because cops love to out people and it is better that she hear it from you first. Sorry about your bad luck. It is going to get worse before it is over. Thanks for the heads up on the ad.

First off, realize there is no way to make this "go away".  You need legal representation, who knows the local situation & what is possible.  Hopefully the damages can be minimized...  this is the time to not make any (more) mistakes.  
Sorry this happened to you.  Thanks for the heads up...  nothing in the ad looks out of place.  
skb

... at your first court date if you're represented by an attorney.  If your lawyer can negotiate a plea at that time, you may not have to appear at all, but simply pay a fine.  

Usually you do have to appear in person at some point to sign documents and make statements to the Court but Hawaii may be somewhat more lenient since it is a tourist destination and they are aware of the hardships of returning.

and then worry about being arrested for Failure to Appear if you are even stopped for a traffic imfraction anywhere in the conutry??? I am under the impression a failure to appear charge, snubbing your nose at the court, is pretty serious and becomes more serious than the original misdeameanor charge. I wouldn't want to go thru life with that concern on my shoulder.

I'm wondering what would happen if you simply did nothing?  Forfeited your bail and accepted the summary finding of guilty?  Is that the end of it?  In the worst case there would be a Bench Warrant for your arrest for Failure to Appear in Hawaii.  You don't get extradited for misdemeanor warrants nor would it be Honolulu PD's responsibility to pay for that and they aren't going to do it for something like this.   This sort of thing has to happen all the time in tourist towns.  
Might be you could just scratch Honolulu off your list of vacation spots and move on.  But there would be a possible issue of some mail coming from the Municipal Court though.  If thats an issue then I guess trying to get it stopped by engaging an attorney would be the only other option.

MVR

indicates that the John is considered to be equally treated by the court, that a fine of $500 and or thirty days in jail is the sentence for the first offense, that it is a misdemeanor charge and that you must appear in court so the court can decide if you need educational counseling to help you avoid further prosecution in the future. If anyone has first hand experience that contradicts this statement please advise. Although an attorney would be advised and could clarify if you have a way to not appear, once you have this advice an attorney might not be necessary. It seem that the bail is designed for cover the fine.
Sounds like the cops were out to earn some money for the city and you are not an idiot, they probably would have arrested you even if you had not mentioned oral sex. You will find that the mention of oral sex does not mean you will get any, ask most guys wives!



-- Modified on 8/12/2010 1:18:18 AM

I don't believe you are correct.  A misdemeanor bench warrant for failure to appear in Hawaii is probably only good in Hawaii.  Felony warrants are a different issue and may be served (an arrest made) in other states.

Personally I'd hate to find out the hard way! I'd rather face the music and be done with it so I can go about life with a clear conscious.  As they say what comes around goes around.

.... the FIRST step is to talk to an attorney.

MVR

Thanks for all the replies.
I can now give everyone some info from my discussions with attys etc.
A petty misdemeanor...
In Hawaii can be represented by an attorney without defendant present.
In my case I am told that since I've generally been a good boy, they can plead me innocent, accept 6 months probation with payment of the fine covered by bail and an extra $30 for processing.
After 6 months I'm safe in Hawaii again as long as I don't do that again.
For 4 years it will show as an arrest but NOT a conviction.  After 4 years it can be expunged completely for about $100.  (maybe more by then with inflation.)
I did get two letters from attorneys in Hawaii.  One of them was pretty good, with good details on what to expect.  I hired him for $1000 flat rate for the whole process.
I am very relieved.  (And I told my wife who laughed.  Thanks to a strong relationship.)

Laughed?! Your wife laughed?! Buddy, that's more than a strong relationship. That's a whole new and unfamiliar world for me.

My father had a misdemeanor bench warrant for failure to appear issued in the state of Iowa for reckless driving that he was required to appear for but didn't. A year latter he was pulled over for speeding and the warrant showed up on the cops computer and he was arrested. A few hours later they let him out because Iowa didn't want to spend the money to bring him back. Still, he was arrested and missed a day of work because of it.

Sorry this happened to you.

It does appear that correct legal management will minimize the long term damage for you.  It is money well spent.
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