COM 0140.002 2002-2004 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Successful forfeiture prosecutions are joint efforts by the Hawaii County Police Department, the Prosecutor's Office, and the Department of the Attorney General. The Police and Prosecutor's Office each receive 25% of the forfeited asset after the asset is sold. These monies or forfeited items may be used for law enforcement purposes and cannot be used to supplant the County's budget. In fiscal year 2002 the Office processed a total of $289,117 worth of assets for forfeiture and received $34,467 of those proceeds. Our goal is to continue efforts to forfeit assets acquired through illegal activity or used for illegal activity. Forfeitures take the profitability out of illegal activity and places the asset or the proceeds from the assets to use for law enforcement. We have found that forfeitures are an effective deterrent to criminal activity. Presently, forfeitures are done part-time by one attorney, a legal assistant and a secretary. They manage all forfeiture cases and network with local police, the Attorney General's Office, Federal drug enforcement agencies, and the Federal Postal Forfeiture Unit. Our office has networked with State law enforcement agencies on the mainland when defendants have been active in illegal drug activities both here and in other states. We have initiated and participated in a joint effort with the Federal DEA on seizures from major drug dealers. Statistics reflect that this effort has also brought thousands of dollars to the County of Hawaii from forfeited assets giving the County of Hawaii additional funds for law enforcement purposes. Domestic Violence Unit Two attorneys, one each in Hilo and Kona, are specially assigned to prosecute domestic violence cases in District Family Court. These cases principally involve abuse of family or household member and violation of an order for protection charges. Another attorney is also specially assigned to handle domestic violence cases in Circuit Family Court. The primary benefits to specially assigning deputies to these cases are: 1) prompt intervention by our office; 2) deputies knowledge of the background of repeat offenders and victims; 3) consistency in the prosecution of the cases; and 4) familiarity of the DPA with people and agencies that are involved in the area of domestic violence. Violence Against Children Unit (VAC) One deputy prosecuting attorney, an investigator, a victim assistance counselor and a legal clerk are specially trained to handle child victims of physical and sexual abuse. This unit extends to concepts of protection for the community by better protecting children and holding offenders accountable by improved interagency response. Unfortunately the victim assistance counselor position remains vacant due to lack of present grant funding.