LIHU‘E — There is still one more chance after a fourth probation violation for a Kapa‘a man. Sebastian Ujano, 31, was in 5th Circuit Court on Monday to address his fourth violation of Hawaii’s Opportunity Probation with Enforcement, or HOPE,
LIHU‘E — There is still one more chance after a fourth probation violation for a Kapa‘a man.
Sebastian Ujano, 31, was in 5th Circuit Court on Monday to address his fourth violation of Hawaii’s Opportunity Probation with Enforcement, or HOPE, a high-intensity supervision program. It is a last-chance probation for offenders facing prison time, and Ujano was admitted following charges of family or household member abuse, drug paraphernalia and promotion of a third-degree dangerous drug last.
Judge Kathleen N. A. Watanabe granted a defense motion for modification of the terms and conditions of the HOPE probation. She ordered five days jail, in addition to five days already served.
Watanabe said she would have ordered 30 days as requested by State Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Lisa Arin, were it not for reports of progress with his counseling and other probation requirements. The goal is to help him succeed in the program, but there are no promises for another violation, she added.
State Deputy Public Defender Stephanie Sato said that two violations, the first and fourth, were positive tests for methamphetamine use. The other two were for missed appointments, but that overall Ujano was succeeding in the program.
