Deputy Prosecutor Ben Rose is BACK - The Return of the Lead Chair

The Scoop: Rose’s Return

Hold onto your hats, because I’ve got a scoop currently buzzing through the First Circuit Judiciary circles. If you haven’t heard it through the coconut wireless yet, I’ll break it for you here: Prosecuting Attorney Ben Rose is back. After a brief stint over at the Attorney General’s office, Rose has officially returned to the City Prosecutor’s office. It is arguably the most significant return to the office in recent memory, trailing only the homecoming of City Prosecutor Steve Alm himself.

Vibes, Rumors, and the Coconut Wireless

Now, let’s move into the territory of speculation and pontification. None of this is rooted in cold, hard depositions, but hey, it’s my newsletter, so we’re going with the "vibe check."

At one time, I almost fooled myself into thinking I was a "real" investigatory journalist, I did some digging into a story I thought could be meaningful. I’d noticed a visible exodus from the City Prosecutor’s office and couldn't help but be influenced by the coconut wireless.

The rumors suggested that longtime prosecutors were being "gently pushed out," while simultaneously, I noticed a handful of future stars transitioning from the Prosecutor’s office to the Deputy Attorney General’s office. My mind immediately jumped to a headline: "Are the best young prosecutors in Hawaii actually Deputy Attorney Generals?"

The AG Office: A New Frontier?

My preliminary research into those "up-and-comers" revealed a simple truth: for many, the Attorney General’s office is becoming a more desirable gig. Generally speaking, the caseload is lower, you have more autonomy to pursue specific types of cases, and the pay is actually higher.

This is a massive shift from the sentiment of a decade or more ago. Back then, the AG’s office was where you went to "run out the clock" on your government career. For a young attorney, the Prosecutor’s office used to be the primary place to get real "trench" experience. Now, the algebra seems to have flipped. Again, this is “all vibes,” not facts.

Mission Over Money: The Return of Ben Rose

Setting the scene with those details makes Ben Rose’s move even more bold. Rose wasn't just a rising star; he was already lead chair on serious felony cases. He just finished one of the biggest convictions of the decade—the Eric Thompson "Waipahu Acupuncture" love triangle case—and then mysteriously left for the AG’s office.

The rumors were swirling, but now it’s official: the coconut wireless is once again undefeated. While the City Prosecutor’s office is a grind, they handle the cases that directly impact our quality of life and public safety. The AG’s office handles important white-collar and civil-leaning matters, but the City Prosecutor’s office is a more direct criminal law pure play.

The Backbone of the Community

The prosecutor's office is the backbone of a productive community. Civil and property rights have to be upheld and safeguarded by a well-run agency. Otherwise, you've got the alternative: unsafe streets, lower property values, broken communities, and a downward death spiral that can cause an exodus of tourists, businesses, and productive residents.

As I approach the apex of my own professional career, things hit differently. You look ahead and see the peers you idolized retiring; you look behind and see the younger crowd nipping at your heels, exactly where you once were. But there is a noticeable drop-off in the number of attorneys on the scene, and it’s especially pronounced on the neighbor islands. Which is why I’m personally happy that attorneys of the values and competency of Mr. Rose are choosing the public sector, when obviously they could pursue any number of other opportunities.

So welcome back Ben Rose! The City Prosecutor’s office, as well as pubic safety, is today stronger with your return.

-Jail Mail Nick