COM 0140.002 2002-2004 - Laserfiche WebLink

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The objectives of the unit have not changed. It is still to arrest, charge and incarcerate career criminals as quickly as possible. Once incarcerated, our goal is to keep them in jail, pretrial and after sentencing. In order to meet our goals, a CCP deputy is accessible by pager 24 hours a day. Personal contact is maintained with the Criminal Investigation Division of the Hawaii County Police Department through an expedited conferral process to get the career criminal cases quickly into our system. We also do the following to achieve our goals: • Assign experienced attorneys to the CCP cases; • Begin early tracking of high risk juveniles who most likely will be considered CCP defendants as adults; • Increase the number of arrested and charged cases involving CCP defendants; • Request high bail or commitment without bail; • Immediately file revocations of bail and revocations of supervised release; • File motions for enhanced sentencings such as mandatory minimum terms, consecutive terms of imprisonment, and extended terms of imprisonment. Our communities need to feel safe from these criminals, and the only way to do that is to devote a special unit to prosecute them aggressively and expeditiously. We have done that, and we pledge to continue our efforts with the continued financial support of the legislature. Circuit Court The Circuit Court Units of the Office of the Prosecuting Attorney services three courtrooms, one in Kona and two in Hilo. The Kona office unit is comprised of four attorneys and the Hilo unit is comprised of five. These units are responsible for the prosecution of all felonies within the County of Hawaii for crimes ranging from theft cases to the most vicious homicides. Felony cases consist of any case where there is the possibility of a state prison sentence, while misdemeanor cases can subject the defendant to a period of up to one year in jail. Defendants in misdemeanor cases are entitled to jury trials. When such a request is made the circuit court unit is responsible for the prosecution of misdemeanor jury trials. The unit continues to actively prosecute these cases. The bulk of cases result in a plea of guilty or no contest by the defendant but must still be prepared as if the case were to be tried by a jury. The preparation of the case often results in its disposition short of trial. Defendants do not have to plead guilty to any crime and can insist that this office prove their guilt beyond a reasonable doubt to a jury or to a judge. The Circuit Court Unit is also responsible for a variety of other matters including all appeals from felony convictions, writ practice in both Federal and State Court, evidentiary hearings relating to motions in felony and misdemeanor cases that are set for jury trial, felony sentencing proceedings, probation revocation hearings, parole board