--- title: "Steven R. Nichols | KnowJudges" canonical: "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/steven-r-nichols-circuit-court-judge-hawaii-circuit-court-first-circuit-hi" page_type: "judge_profile" updated: "2026-10-07" --- # Steven R. Nichols Hawaii Circuit Court, First Circuit · Circuit Court Judge ## Profile - Court: Hawaii Circuit Court, First Circuit - State: Hawaii - Role: Circuit Court Judge - Service status: active - Last verified: 2026-07-26 ## Summary Official statewide and applicable court procedural guidance applies to this judge. ## Biography ### Professional career - Sworn in as a First Circuit Court judge on September 27, 2024 for a ten-year term - The university’s July 17, 2024 appointment biography identifies him as a per diem District Family Court judge and private criminal-defense practitioner at the Law Office of Steven R. Nichols, formerly a deputy public defender. - Circuit Court Judge, Hawaii Circuit Court, First Circuit - Sworn in as a Circuit Court Judge of the First Circuit (Oʻahu) alongside Judges Rebecca Copeland, Brian Costa, and Dyan Medeiros - He also held the role of a law clerk for First Circuit Judge Dexter Del Rosario ### Education - University of Hawai‘i William S - Bachelor of Arts in History from the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa and a Juris Doctorate from the William S. Richardson School of Law at the same university. ### Additional information - He graduated from the William S. Richardson School of Law in 2002. - Colleagues and peers describe Nichols as fair, patient, and compassionate, with a strong judicial temperament. - Judge Steven R. Nichols brings decades of experience in criminal defense, family law, and public service to his role on the Circuit Court of the First Circuit. - focusing on criminal defense cases. - Recognized for his integrity, professionalism, and dedication to public service, consistently demonstrating respect and impartiality in his interactions with clients, attorneys, and the judiciary. - Prior to his private practice, Nichols spent 20 years as a Deputy Public Defender at the Honolulu Office of the Public Defender, where he conducted approximately 60 jury trials, including serious criminal cases such as murder and sexual assault. - Before his appointment, Nichols held the role of a per diem Family Court Judge in the First Circuit, presiding over cases involving divorces, paternity, adoptions, guardianships, and other family law matters. - He also operated the Law Office of Steven R. Nichols ## Before you appear - Read the judge-specific standing order first when one is listed. - Check the docket and case orders for requirements that supersede broader guidance. - Confirm current remote-access and courtroom technology arrangements before the proceeding. ## Courtroom Rules ### extended coverage notice Scope: statewide Hawaii requires news media to notify a court coordinator before electronic or photographic coverage of a judicial proceeding, including audio recording, film, videotape, or still photography. Evidence excerpt: The news media must notify a court coordinator of their intent to provide any electronic or photographic coverage of a judicial proceeding. [Cameras and Audio Equipment](https://www.courts.state.hi.us/news_and_reports/media_guidelines/cameras_and_audio_equipment) Source checked: 2026-07-26 ### camera microphone placement Scope: statewide Hawaii leaves courtroom camera and microphone placement to the judge and cautions that judges may differ on placement rules. Evidence excerpt: The judge will decide where cameras and microphones can be placed in the courtroom. Judges differ on this - so please ask. [Cameras and Audio Equipment](https://www.courts.state.hi.us/news_and_reports/media_guidelines/cameras_and_audio_equipment) Source checked: 2026-07-26 ## Sources - [Official profile](https://www.courts.state.hi.us/general_information/contact/judges_phone_listing_1c) - [Official roster](https://www.courts.state.hi.us/general_information/contact/judges_phone_listing_1c) - [Hawaii State Judiciary official judicial roster](https://www.courts.state.hi.us/general_information/contact/judges_phone_listing_1c) - [Cameras and Audio Equipment](https://www.courts.state.hi.us/news_and_reports/media_guidelines/cameras_and_audio_equipment) - [Remote Court Hearings via Zoom](https://www.courts.state.hi.us/remote-court-hearings-via-zoom-or-webex) - [Hawaii State Judiciary judicial profile or roster](https://www.courts.state.hi.us/general_information/contact/judges_phone_listing_1c) - [law.hawaii.edu](https://law.hawaii.edu/22293/) - [www.courts.state.hi.us](https://www.courts.state.hi.us/news_and_reports/2024/09/copeland-costa-medeiros-and-nichols-sworn-in-as-circuit-court-judges) - [Hawaii State Judiciary judicial profile or roster](https://www.courts.state.hi.us/general_information/contact/judges_phone_listing_1c) ## JSON-LD ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "WebPage", "@id": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/steven-r-nichols-circuit-court-judge-hawaii-circuit-court-first-circuit-hi", "url": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/steven-r-nichols-circuit-court-judge-hawaii-circuit-court-first-circuit-hi", "name": "Steven R. 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