Which Judges are Most Likely to Grant Release?
REDUCTION POWER RANKING!
I’m genuinely shocked at how fast time has moved. I remember when Alen Kaneshiro—arguably one of the best private defense attorneys on the island—was still a Public Defender. I remember attending Judge William Domingo’s confirmation ceremony; now, he’s already served his term and retired.
Heck, I even remember when my fellow UCLA alumnus, Peter Carlisle, was the City Prosecutor.
I blinked, and suddenly I’m 20+ years into this career. It’s a strange reality: I’ve gotten to know so many major players.
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Those decades of proximity mean I have a mental database of their tendencies, personalities, and sensibilities. Having filed tens of thousands of bonds and witnessed thousands of arraignments, I’ve dialed in a "Power Ranking" of who is liberal, moderate, or conservative regarding bail.
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Here is a preview of the "First Circuit Bail Reduction Power Ranking" featuring three judges I’ve watched closely. Let’s start with the most likely judge to grant clients Supervised Released (SR).
1. The "SR Heavyweight": Judge Kawashima
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- The Vibe: When I say "liberal," I don’t mean politics—I mean he is the most agreeable to granting SR.
- The Stats: In my estimation, your best chance of walking out without paying a dime resides here. I have seen Judge Kawashima grant SR on $250,000 and even $500,000 bails for Class A and B felonies.
- The Verdict: If your attorney can make a compelling argument that you aren't a danger to the public, Judge Kawashima is the most likely to give you the "green light" on release with conditions.
What truly sets Judge Kawashima apart is his sense of compassion and his ability to look at the "big picture." He understands that pretrial detention isn't just about the defendant—it’s about the ripple effect on the community. If a client is a provider who is currently working and earning to support a family, Judge Kawashima takes that into account.
He recognizes that in many cases, keeping a breadwinner locked up before they’ve even been convicted is a "pure punishment" that is served by the family, not just the accused. If you can show him a stable family structure and a clear path to remaining a productive member of society while your case moves forward, he is remarkably inclined to favor release.
2. The "Fair Realist": Judge Ronald Johnson
- Background: Former District Attorney (Prosecutor by trade).
- The Vibe: Don’t let the "prosecutor" label fool you. He is one of the most moderate and balanced judges in the First Circuit.
- The Strategy: Because he serves as both the Grand Jury and Administrative Judge, he usually knows your case better than anyone. He’s already heard the details once; the arraignment is his second look.
- The Verdict: If you have no history of rearrest while on release previously, and a dated criminal record, you have a chance for SR in your current case. However, if you have an edge weapon or a "ghost gun," he isn’t afraid to increase your bail if he thinks it was set too low.
3. The "Consistent Arbiter": Judge Paul Wong
- The Vibe: Judge Wong is the definition of "due process." I have seen him hand my clients major wins and major losses, but his decisions are always objectively grounded.
- The Case Study: I once had a client he held without bail—an extraordinary move. But he only did it after a thorough, multi-day hearing where the defense had a fair shot to rebut the prosecution.
- The Turning Point: Proving he isn't "locked" into one mindset, that same client was later granted SR. Judge Wong isn't a "lock 'em up" extremist or a "bleeding heart" liberal; he simply waits for the evidence.
The Bottom Line
I’m thinking about publishing my full, detailed Power Ranking as a newsletter in the future. But until then, feel free to call A-1 Bail Bonds if you want the insider’s perspective on your loved one’s bail status.
Be smart folks!
Jail Mail Nick
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