$ 100-350 per hour
Jasen Bodie Nielsen
About Jasen
Biography
I became an attorney in California in 2006, worked as a prosecutor in 2007 and 2008, and then in private practice as a defene attorney from 2008-2020 from LA to San Luis Obispo.
I moved to Kauai at the end of 2017. At the time I was married, and my third son was born here in 2018. I spent 2018 and 2019 living in Koloa with my family and running my Santa Barbara based law practice, where we had moved here from. I went back and forth to Santa Barbara. When I was on Kauai - I was living the dream. Surfing, hanging out with my kids, going to Crossfit - living the life.
I passed the Hawaii bar exam in February 2020, right before the world shut down. I spent 2020 going back and forth to California, and officially shut my CA practice down in early 2021. I am still licensed there.
Throughout 2020 and 2021, regular issues in my marriage mushroomed. Up to present day, those issues continue to plague my family, and I lost everything in the process: my house, my money, my kids, and my dreams of a future. I've come out of that on that other side and am ready to fight for you.
In 2023, I started working as a public defender on Kauai. Because of my then 15 years of experience, I was quickly able to get up to speed and handle a heavy caseload of traffic, OVUII (aka DUI) and criminal cases.
I caught the Kauai Police Department redhanded giving people duplicate citations and got hundreds of cases dismissed as a result. I left the Kauai public defender's office in December 2024 and am now in private practice. When you call, you always speak directly to me, and I always personally handle every aspect of your case. I pride myself not only on aggressive representation of my clients but also on knowing how to help clients make the best of a bad situation.
I have an established track record of achieving excellent results and a long history of satisfied clients. I also like to fight. Please give me a call or send me an email to put my experience, knowledge and determination to work for you.
Mahalo,
Jasen B. Nielsen, Esq.
Practice Areas
4
Practice Areas
Criminal Defense
25%
19 years | 1,000 cases
DUI and DWI
25%
19 years | 5,000 cases
Fees and Rates
Cost
Hourly Rates
Retainer
Sometimes
Payment Methods
- Cash
- Check
- Credit Card
Looking for an attorney? Avvo can help.
Search our directory
Quickly connect with top attorneys through our legal directory to get help with your legal issue.
Avvo's live chat agents can help coordinate a consultation with a local attorney.
Chat with a live agent who can match you with the right attorney for your legal needs.
Chat withLicenses
Licensed in Hawaii for 5 years
State: Hawaii
Acquired: 2020
No misconduct found
Licensed in California for 19 years
State: California
Acquired: 2006
No misconduct found
Location
Jasen B. Nielsen, Esq.
5485 Koloa Road, Ste 31, Koloa, HI, 96756
Ad
Transform legal challenges into solutions.
Connect now to review your situation.
Jasen Bodie Nielsen's Reviews
Avvo Review Score
72 Client Reviews
Filter Avvo Reviews (72)
Refine reviews to match your needs. Use the filters to quickly surface reviews that align with your case or priorities.
Practice Areas
What Clients Mention
Showing 61 - 65 of 72 reviews
Posted by Craig | December 29, 2011 | Criminal Defense
Very friendly and helpful
He saved me from getting an M.I.P (which carries a $500 dollar fine and a year suspension of your license) and got it lowered to just a payment fine of a $100 and got to keep my license. I was very impressed and it saved me a lot of stress.
Posted by Doug | December 22, 2011
Great attorney
I'm in "the legal business" but in another state and needed help for a relative. I specifically wanted an ex-prosecutor with a good reputation. I spent a lot of time talking with him and he knows what he's doing, plain and simple.
Posted by Jan | September 25, 2011 | DUI & DWI
Reliable, Informative and Effective
I made the worst decision of my life the night I got my DUI, but I made a great decision when I hired Jasen Nielsen as my attorney. Jasen won a better outcome for me than I anticipated. He was especially helpful by being able to file my court papers and represent me in Santa Barbara County, 300 mil...
Posted by anonymous | September 19, 2011 | DUI & DWI
Excellent DMV Hearing outcome re:DUI
Jasen Nielsen represented me in a DMV hearing in Ventura County CA regarding a DUI charge. I have been told that my case is 99% more complicated than most DUI cases. Jasen Nielsen's strategies and extensive research resulted in the DMV concluding that I will not lose my driver's license and that I ...
Posted by anonymous | June 04, 2011 | Criminal Defense
When it comes down to it your just another file.
When you get a DUI, or commit a crime. Take it seriously. Do research. Do not trust your life, license or anything else you have on the line in the hands of someone you found on the internet or who sent you a letter. Most lawyers depend on quantity to make their money, not quality. Thats what I felt ...
Jasen Nielsen
Replied last June 06, 2011It is always unfortunate as an attorney to be blamed for the outcome of a case that you did everything possible to avoid. Particularly when you have been misinformed by the client regarding her criminal history, and have given the client a $1000 discount on your services. This client, from the initial meeting, did not remember anything leading up to getting pulled over, and her recollection of the entire night was spotty at best. Exacerbating matters further, this client never responded to my requests for feedback on her police reports. She also failed to mention that she had a previous DUI conviction, as well as another previous alcohol related action against her license. In the current case, this client nearly hit an officer who was involved in another traffic stop. Upon being stopped, unexplained damage to her vehicle was found, as if she had hit something else, of which she was completely unaware. Making matters worse, this client decided to refuse the blood test, and had to be held down by 3 officers in order for them to obtain a blood sample. The blood test subsequently came back at a .18 level, more than an hour after she had driven. Unfortunately, combined with her previous DUI conviction, and the additional alcohol related suspension against her license, the DMV suspended her license for 3 years due to her refusal. While I am never happy to have a customer displeased with my service, sometimes it easier to blame your attorney than it is to realize that perhaps you have a problem with alcohol, and that there are serious consequences for refusing a blood test, particularly when you have a previous DUI conviction and a separate alcohol relatied suspension against your license.
Jasen Bodie Nielsen's Lawyer Endorsements
"I endorse this lawyer. Attorney Nielsen is an outstanding attorney with an exceptional reputation He is a strong and zealous advocate for his clients and a credit to the legal profession."
"I endorse this lawyer. Attorney Nielsen is one of the finest criminal defense attorneys in his state. He is the first and only attorney I would refer my clients to. I highly recommend his legal services."
"I have known Mr. Nielsen for many years and highly endorse his advocacy. He’s smart and professional. I confidently recommend his legal counsel."
"I endorse this lawyer."
Alexandra Gonzalez-Waddington
Criminal defense lawyer | Oct 13
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
"I endorse this lawyer."
"I endorse this lawyer."
"I highly endorse Mr. Nielsen. Truly exceptional and caring attorney who achieves great results in representing clients! I want all people to contact him for help."
"I endorse this lawyer."
"I endorse this lawyer."
"I endorse this lawyer. He enjoys a great reputation in the field."
"I endorse this lawyer."
"I endorse this lawyer."
"I endorse this lawyer."
"I endorse Jay. As a former prosecutor Jay has one huge advantage. "They know that he knows what they know". Call him first for a consultation."
"I endorse this lawyer."
"I endorse Jasen. He is a highly skilled attorney that is well respected in the legal community."
"I endorse this lawyer. An extremely talented and well respected attorney in the legal community."
"I endorse this lawyer."
"I endorse this lawyer. Mr. Nielsen is a highly experienced and well respected member of the legal community. He is a zealous advocate for the rights and interests of his clients."
"I endorse this lawyer. An outstanding and well respected attorney in the legal community. I would recommend him wholeheartedly to anyone needing legal representation."
Christy Horowitz
Criminal defense lawyer
Ike Sherman
Corporate and incorporation lawyer
Colin McCallin
DUI and DWI lawyer
Dmitriy Shakhnevich
Business lawyer
Brian Hurwitz
Personal injury lawyer
Peter Marek
Criminal defense lawyer
Hovanes Margarian
Consumer protection lawyer
Sean Cleary
Personal injury lawyer
Michael Waddington
Criminal defense lawyer
Jason Pietryga
Criminal defense lawyer
Richard Rosenstein
Personal injury lawyer
John O'Brien
Personal injury lawyer
Daniel Tam
Foreclosure lawyer
Debra Crawford
Family lawyer
Jonathan Frank
Estate planning lawyer
Rickey Farrow
Criminal defense lawyer
Edward Beckham
Family lawyer
Michael Gerace
Criminal defense lawyer
Paul Stanko
DUI and DWI lawyer
John Felter
Litigation lawyer
Experience
Honors
2008
Misdemeanor Gavel Award, Ventura County District Attorney Office
2007
Misdemeanor Gavel Award, Ventura County District Attorney Office
2004
Academic Excellence in Remedies, Remedies
2004
Excellence for the Future Award in Remedies, CALI
2004
Academic Achievement - Legal Writing, SBCL
2004
Academic Achievement - Remedies, SBCL
2003
Academic Achievement - Torts, SBCL
2003
Academic Achievement - Contracts, SBCL
Work Experience
2024 - Present
Owner and Attorney, The Law Offices of Jasen B. Nielsen, Esq.
2023 - 2024
Deputy Public Defender, Kauai Public Defender's Office
2012 - 2023
Owner and Criminal Defense Attorney, The Law Offices of Jasen B. Nielsen, Esq.
2008 - 2012
Associate, Law Offices of David Lehr
2007 - 2008
Deputy District Attorney, Ventura County District Attorney's Office
2006 - 2007
Associate, Myer & Fock
2005 - 2005
Certified Law Clerk, Santa Barbara County Public Defender
2004 - 2005
Clerk, Santa Barbara County Counsel
2002 - 2004
Clerk, Sanger & Swysen
Associations
2020 - Present
Kauai Bar AssociationMember
2020 - Present
Hawaii State Bar AssociationMember
2006 - Present
American Bar Association
2006 - Present
State Bar of California
2013 - 2020
California DUI Lawyers AssociationRegular Member
2012 - 2017
The William L. Gordon American Inn of CourtAssociate Member
Sample of Legal Cases
People v. M.E.
License returned and all charges dismissed.
People v. E.B.
DMV Set Aside. No License Suspension.
People v. D.S.
DUI charges dismissed. No license suspension.
Education
2005
Santa Barbara College of Law
JD - Juris Doctor
2000
University of California - Santa Barbara
BA - Bachelor of Arts
Speaking Engagements
2013
William L. Gordon American Inn of Court
Substance Abuse
2006
Orientation
New Law School Student Orientation
Publications
2009
Avvo Legal Guide
DUI: Breath Tests or Blood Tests
Languages
English
Activity
Legal Answers
Legal Guides
Legal Answers
Q&A
How long does CHP have to inform DMV of a DUI?
23 May 2014
Q&A
Is it too late to change the plea bargain?
22 May 2014
Q&A
Restricted License and IID for 2nd DUI Offense.
26 Mar 2014
Legal Guides
Legal Guide
Elevated BAC in a California DUI
01 May 2013
Legal Guide
DUI Probation in Ventura County
11 Mar 2013
Legal Guide
Field Sobriety Tests - An Overview
11 Mar 2013