Criminal Citation Given for Being in Park After Closing

[specialized]

My question involves criminal records for the state of: Hawaii

Greetings!

I am vacationing in Hawaii. The other night I was riding my bicycle home from the gym and I fell, got all scraped up, and was bleeding. I walked down to the beach to wash my wounds in the salt water, and police showed up and gave me a criminal citation for being in the park after it had closed. It was 11:15 and the park had closed at 10pm. I explained the circumstances to the officers and they were not sympathetic, but they told me I could probably get this dismissed at my mandatory hearing. I'm skeptical, if they thought it was going to be dismissed why bother writing the citation in the first place? Anyway, I do not have any criminal record until now and I am very nervous. I am about to go on a trip to several countries in Asia and possibly Europe as well, and I have an interest in teaching English as a Foreign Language. I am concerned that this could affect my chances of acquiring either a travel visa, work visa, or a job with the school. I will plead my case in court and hope for the best. I don't really want to pay for a lawyer yet. If they do not dismiss the charges, is there a way I can get this removed from my record after the fact with legal assistance?

Thank you very much for your help!

[PTPD22]

It will be MUCH harder to "get this removed from my record" after a conviction. The time to get your best deal is now. If you don't want to spend money on an attorney right away, go to the preliminary hearing and plead "not guilty." If the prosecutor goes forward with the charges, you can ask for a public defender if you are eligible. You may also be able to speak with the prosecutor prior to the hearing and see if he/she is willing to drop or reduce the charge or offer some deferment.

[specialized]

Thanks so much! Unfortunately I have a flight out scheduled 6 days after my "preliminary" hearing... didn't realize there would be multiple hearings, ugh what a mess. Someone suggested I talk to the chief of police also and I might go back to court again to try to talk with someone else there. It was clear that one of the officers just plain did not like me but the other guy felt bad for me, and after they gave me the citation he told me to continue washing off if I needed to. Maybe I should try to get him involved in this process... if I only get the other cop I think she will be negative about me.