HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0124.028 2004-2006 OFFICE OF THE PROSECUTING ATTORNEY
2005 - 2006 FISCAL YEAR
The Office of the Prosecuting Attorney has submitted a budget and supp]emental
requests that will enable us to carry out our mission of "pursuing justice with integrity
and commitment'. The main focus areas of the Office continue to be: 1) core
prosecution and vletim services, 2) improvement to the criminal justice system and 3)
community initiatives to promote crime prevention through education and collaboration.
We continue to face growing demands and challenges while working tirelessly to serve
our community.
As shown in the chart below, referrals have increased from 14,261 in 1995 to
21,100 in 2004, an increase of41%. County funded operating expenses have increased in
recent years to exceed the 1995 operating budget by 10%.
FISCAL YEARS 1995 - 2005
$1,006,090 i T zs,aoo
$950,000 T 21 ~ L2~0~ ~
i"-~
[21100 ~'~0
L 8~ _ - _ 20,8001 20.500
19,755 20,120
$900,000 1 _ 20,000
$067,870'
$BW,000 L6'3 } 17,500
115,866 C
$800,000 - 14,261 - 15,000
i
$751,
$750,000 _ 12,500
$716,7
$703,800
$700,000 ~ 684,500 ~ 10,000
L71,915
$650,000 L36.04~ 7,500
x$607400 ~ r ~ r
- __J $6G0,295 $598842 $5 6498
2
$600,000 } 5,000
$550,000 1 2,500
$500.000 I - - 0
94-95 95-96 96-97 97-98 98-99 9&00 00-01 Ot-02 02-03 03-04 04-OS
OOperating +Referrals
' 2003-2004 -Operating expenses $747,870 + Case Tracking Migration expenses $120,000 = $867,870
c~$. Na-12-y~Z
S--
Ref. To:~4usow f' G.
r:->< o•^ MAR 3 0
t
Our budget request of $6,264,053 includes $1,615,000 from federal and state
sources (26%), $200,000 from federal and state forfeitures and $4,449,053 (7l from
general funds. This includes conversion of five grant funded positions to County funded
during the next fiscal year and two additional deputies to cover adult and juvenile drug
court and increased Circuit Court caseloads in East and West Hawaii. It also includes a
6.4% increase in operating expenditures for the HITS case tracking software subscription,
increases in rents, utilities, research subscriptions, and increased reserves for forensic
analysis and reconstruction experts.
While we are grateful for these increases there are still several critical items that
are not included and require attention for which we request your support. These items are
funding for a phone system and network switch for the new office, an account clerk, a
clerical position for the Waimea office and a clerical position to support the Circuit Court
Unit in Hilo.
The current phone system is over ] 0 years old and has limited voice mail,
expansion and upgrade capability. We desire to install a Voice Over [P system which
shares computer network infrastructure resulting in cost savings and efficiency. The
network switch requires replacement to improve transmission efficiency within the local
and wide area network. Present switch transmission speed is l OMbps, far below the
100Mbps transmission speed newer personal computers are capable of.
An account clerk is needed to assist the fiscal section with payroll and travel
arrangements for witnesses, extraditions and staff. In 2004 we processed travel
arrangements for 97 witnesses, 349 escorts, 174 prisoners and 130 staff, an average of 10
per week. This includes making airline reservation, processing meal allowances or per
diem, reimbursement of allowable expenses and closing travel claims. The fiscal section
of two staff also processed over $735,000 of general, grant and forfeiture expenditures
and over $430,000 for state reimbursement which requires additional documentation. An
additional clerk would also assist with payroll for the authorized 100 positions and allow
that function to be performed within that section. Currently there is no breathing room
and minimal back up in the fiscal section.
The North Hawaii office currently does not have onsite clerical support.
Assignment of a clerk III to Waimea would allow the clerk who presently covers North
Hawaii to provide more assistance to the Hilo District Court unit. A legal clerk III is
needed to support the Hilo Circuit Court unit. Presently four clerical staff support seven
deputies.
We have continued to proactively seek federal and state funding that support the
main focus areas of the Office. Available funding, however, is decreasing due to
changing priorities of the federal government. Programs affected include: Victims of
Crime Act (VOCA), Violence Against Women (VAWA), Juvenile Accountability Block
Grant (JABG); Title V Juvenile Delinquency Prevention, Local Law Enforcement Block
Grant and Edward Byrne Memorial Grant programs. These cuts in addition to continued
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reduction in the Stare's Career Criminal and Victim-Witness funding will greatly impact
the Office and the services provided to victims and the community we serve.
The Office continues to work actively with other public and private agencies and
community groups to collaborate on development of various grant projects. We
successfully obtained Weed and Seed designation for Pahoa and continue to coordinate
the Youth Builder initiative. VOCA funding is provided to Mothers Against Drunk
Driving, Child and family Services, Turning Point for Families and SAVE (Sex Assault
Victim Empowerment) to provide direct services to victims.
As you review our budget, please consider as our policy statement the following:
That prosecution and public safety are cure functions of the County of Hawaii;
That prosecution is a component of law enforcement;
That an effective Prosecutor's Office is part of providing for the safety of our
community;
That the necessary resources will he provided to those who go face to face with
murderers, drug dealers, robbers, rapists and give support to victims of their
crimes; and
That the laws establishing our community's norms and holding people
accountable for their actions will be fairly and effectively enforced.
We are grateful for the support of the Council and Administration for the efforts
of our dedicated staff who strive to pursue justice every day. It is vital to this community
that we maintain our law enforcement efforts to address the myriad problems we face
which include drugs, thefts, sexual assaults, domestic violence andjuvenile crime. We
continue to work with the community in a balanced way to deal with the full spectrum of
crime and are committed to working with you toward a safer and stronger Big Island.
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OFFICE OF THE PROSECUTING ATTORNEY
COUNTY OF HAWAII
The Office of the Prosecuting Attorney is the legal agency responsible for
prosecuting all violations of State and County laws, ordinances, rules and/or regulations
on behalf of the Big Island community as provided by Hawaii County Charter Article IX:
Chapter 28; H.R.S. 28-1.
Offices are located in Hilo, Kealakekua and Waimea to serve Big Island residents.
The Office is divided into five units: The Administrative Unit; Attorneys Unit; Victim
Assistance Unit; Investigative Unit; and Clerical Support Unit. Staffing includes: 63
county funded; and 37 State/Federal funded positions.
ADMINISTRATIVE UNIT
Administration: The Prosecuting Attorney, First Deputy Prosecuting Attorney and
Business Manager direct the day to day operations of the office with regard to managing
the legal, fiscal, personnel, equipment and facilities maintenance of the operation and
coordinating staff meetings, training and other administrative services.
Secretarial Services: This section provides clerical support to Administration and
assists in the day to day operations of the office.
Fiscal Services: Provides for professional accounting in accordance with standard
accounting practices while coordinating the fiscal efforts of the State, County, and
Federal programs. These employees provide financial analysis, budgeting, and
preparation of financial statements and reports, in addition to day to day operational
needs with regard to requirements of the County's Department of Finance. The Fiscal
section coordinates travel arrangements for extraditions, prisoner transports and staff
attending probation hearings, interviews, interagency meetings and trainings. They also
process discovery payments, State reimbursements for allowed court expenses and record
keeping for federal and state grants.
Management Information Services: Coordinates daily operation of the PC network
and telecommunications linking the system to the City & County of Honolulu and State
of Hawaii. We successfully converted a Wang based case management system to a PC
platform and are beginning work to interface the Police Records Management System to
Hawaii Island Tracking System (HITS) to improve efficiency and productivity.
Volunteer Services Coordinator: Recruits, trains and places volunteers to assist within
the Office. The volunteer services coordinator also assists in supporting special projects
within the office.
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Special Projects: Coordinates community and interagency initiatives that promote crime
prevention through education, collaboration and strategic planning. Projects include
Youth Builders, Big Island Juvenile Intake and Assessment Center (BIJIAC) and Serious
Habitual Offender Comprehensive Action Plan (SHOCAP).
ATTORNEY'S UNIT
The Attorney's Unit, divided among East, West and North Hawaii offices,
handles all criminal cases that occur in their respective districts. East Hawaii's 19
deputies cover the districts of North and South Hilo, Puna and Ka'u. The seven West
Hawaii deputies cover the districts of North and South Kona and Ka'u. One attorney in
North Hawaii covers the districts of Hamakua, South Kohala and North Kohala with the
exception of felony trials. There exist specialized sub-units within the attorney's unit.
Attomey Responsibilities
ADVISING: Police (HPD)/Law Enforcement Agencies
Other Government Agencies
Victim/Witnesses
General Public -not witness or victim
Legislators
Crime Prevention Groups
Private Law Enforcement Groups (security)
TRAINING: Intra-Office Personnel
Police Department, i.e., police recruits, recall training
Other law enforcement agencies, i.e., DLNR
Public/Private Agencies, i.e., CPS, DHS, SANE, Hospitals,
Fire Department, DOE
Students in Mock Trial Program
ADMINISTRATIVE HEARINGS:
Parole Hearings
MISCELLANEOUS:
Public Speaking
Committee meetings/membership
Networking with other agencies
Public education relations
Interagency assistance
Deputy prosecutors provide ongoing assistance to police by carrying pagers for
after hour calls regarding potential criminal charging of defendants and review of search
warrant affidavits. Calls from Hawaii County Police Department are received at all hours
of the night. Deputy prosecutors rotate on-call duty and all supervisors are required to
carry cell phones and r, emain available to the police and other deputy prosecutors for
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consultation on cases after hours. The number of after hour calls average nine per week
with deputy prosecutors on pager duty approximately 600 hours per week.
Deputies typically spend time beyond the normal 8 hour day to complete the work
needed on their cases. The range of hours expended varies depending on the needs of the
case, whether the case is in trial, trial preparation, whether witnesses can be contacted
during business hours and the like. On average, the attorney's unit spends over 170 hours
per week over the normal work week. Overtime hours range from 90 hours to in excess
of 250 hours in any given week.
Career Criminal Program
The concept of the Career Criminal program (CCP) in the Prosecutor's Office is
contained in the findings and purpose section of Chapter 845 of the Hawaii Revised
Statutes which states that "The legislature finds that a substantial and disproportionate
amount of serious crime is committed against the people by a relatively small number of
multiple and repeat felony offenders..." This belief is borne out in actual cases where we
prosecute career criminal defendants with numerous prior arrests and convictions.
The State provides funding as approved by the Legislature to support CCP
programs in all counties. We have three Circuit Court, one District Court and one
Screening deputy assigned to Career Criminal cases. There is also support staff of four
clerical, one legal assistant and one investigator. Over the years, funding has declined
and resulted in an attorney and investigator position being left vacant for many years. In
addition, with approval from the Attorney General, the attorney positions have had to be
"backfilled" so experienced deputies can be assigned to these more difficult cases. Funds
provided by the State are not sufficient to handle all of the defendants identified as career
criminals, requiring assistance from other deputies to also handle CCP cases.
Individuals subject to career criminal prosecution efforts as provided in Chapter
845 of the Hawaii Revised Statutes include those who:
1. Have 2 or more felony convictions within the last 5 years
2. Have 1 or more felony conviction and 2 or more misdemeanor convictions
and/or arrests within the last 3 years
3. Have been convicted and/or arrested for the offense of felon in possession of a
firearm within the last 5 years
4. Are on parole
5. Are on probation
6. Are on bond awaiting appeal
7. Are on bond awaiting a trial
8. Are known or suspected to be an associate of organized crime
9. Arc known or suspected of recurring or ongoing criminal activity
10. Have no adult record but have an extensive juvenile record
I Are juveniles with extensive records who have been waived to the circuit
court for trial
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From the onset, the objectives have been incarceration of the criminal at all stages
of the criminal justice process; conviction on the most serious charge, whether by plea or
trial; expedited processing of cases; and maximum incarceration of convicted career
criminals. 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 financia] 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
hearings, assistance to the Police Department with officer training, review of search
warrants, and after hour pager duty.
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District Court
The Hawaii County Prosecutor's Office covers seven district courts island wide.
Two and a half deputies in East Hawaii, one in North Hawaii and two in West Hawaii,
handle all of the misdemeanor and Traffic cases for Hawaii County. District Court
deputies spend approximately l/4 to 1/3 of their time processing traffic violations on
calendars as well as in trials.
District court deputies handle a total of 97 traffic/criminal calendars per month
island wide. These caleudars do not include the misdemeanor domestic violence cases as
those are heard on different days in East Hawaii. The traffic/criminal calendars cover
every type of crime/violation from barking dogs and no-fault insurance to assaults, drug
cases and criminal property damage. The calendars also include regulatory violations
from the Department of Land and Natural Resources, the State Harbors Division, the
Department of Transportation and other departments.
Family Court
The Office of'the Prosecuting Attorney continues to assign one Hilo and one
Kona deputy to handle Family Court cases. Additionally, our North Hawaii deputy
handles all of the Family Court cases for the Hamakua, North and South Kohala areas.
The goals of the Family Court unit are:
• Early identification by al] participants of the criminal justice system;
• Expedited processing through the criminal justice system;
• Intense monitoring ofajuvenile's criminal activity and more meaningful sentencing;
• Maintaining a network with other agencies to exchange information on gang
identification, gang activities and case dispositions. These agencies include
probation, police, Department of Education, Family Court and other private agencies;
• Promoting prevention programs through schools and Community organizations.
Forfeiture Project
Federal and S1:ate Forfeiture programs are intended to impose economic sanctions
on persons for the profits derived from criminal activity. The instrumentality used or
intended to be used to facilitate the commission of covered offenses can be forfeited. The
State Forfeiture Program is administered by the State Attorney General's Office and the
federal program by the U.S. Department of Justice Drug Enforcement Administration.
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 for use by law enforcement. We have found that
forfeitures are an effective deterrent to criminal activity.
K
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) deputy's 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 Aeainst Children Unit (VAC)
A deputy prosecuting attorney, an investigator, a victim assistance counselor and
a legal clerk focus on handling cases involving child victims of physical and sexual
abuse. This wait extends to concepts of protection for the community by better protecting
children and holding offenders accountable by improved interagency response.
Community Oriented Prosecution Project (COPS
The Community Oriented Prosecution project seeks to improve the quality of life in
Hawaii County by creating and fostering partnerships between the community and other
agencies in order to reduce crime. Community Oriented Prosecution offers a major link
between the police, prosecutors and the judicial branch of government, giving citizens a
better sense of community. It encourages cooperation between all people on the Big
Island and fosters an atmosphere of community empowerment.
One deputy in Hilo and one in Kona are assigned as the Community Oriented
Prosecutors who wor}: closely with Community Police officers in educating and
empowering communities to unify against crime. Edward Byrne Memorial State and
Local Law Enforcement Assistance Grant funding will end in September 2005. Begun as
a demonstration project three years ago, the COP unit has provided leadership bringing
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law enforcement and the community together to address crime problems proactively and
cooperatively. The unit also includes an investigator and legal clerk who work closely
with the project deputy for casework and interagency and community activities.
Conversion of these grant funded positions will ensure that the direct ]ink between the
criminal justice system and the community is continued to further develop safe and
strong communities.
Community Gun Violence Prosecution Program
The goal of the Community Gun Violence Prosecution program is to deter crime
and positively affect the community's perception of safety by prosecuting firearm related
crimes in a rapid, responsive and effective manner. The primary objectives of the
program are to develop and implement an intake process to expedite screening and
charging of violent crimes involving guns and to employ a vertical prosecution strategy.
Two deputy prosecutors are funded by the project and are supported by two other
deputies who have been cross designated as special assistant U.S. Attorneys as part of the
Project Safe Neighborhood Community Gun Violence program. We have worked
cooperatively with the U.S. Attorney's Office to identify dangerous defendants in our
community who represent a significant risk to the community and who are now being
prosecuted in the Federal system under the Project Safe Neighborhood program. The
majority of these defendants would qualify as career criminal defendants under the
current statutory criteria. Many of these defendants who are drug users or commit
domestic violence with firearms have now been removed from the community.
Drug Prosecution Unit
Federal funding for the Mayor's War on Ice has provided our office with two
deputy prosecuting attorneys. Their work has concentrated on individuals and
organizations distributing large quantities of ice and other drugs. In the two year funding
cycle of the project, the impact of their work on criminality, rehabilitation, drug treatment
and social and health indicators will not be evident. In fact, as focus on the issue
heightcns,these measures generally increase before they decrease.
We anticipate the eventual need for two legal clerk lII positions to provide legal
clerical support and an investigator to support these deputies as cases move through the
judicial process. The full measure and impact of the unit will not be known for at least
five to ten years, well beyond the federal funding cycle. Continued funding of the
program in all aspect, of treatment/prevention, intervention and law enforcement must be
obtained to successfully impact the Ice problem for Hawaii County.
VICTIM/WITNESS ASSISTANCE UNIT fVAU)
The State established victim-witness assistance programs in the Department of the
Attorney General to be implemented by the County prosecutors under HRS 28-1 11 "to
to
provide information, assistance, and support services to the victims of and witnesses to
crimes committed in the state."
HRS 801 D, more commonly known as the Victims' Bill of Rights, recognized the
civil and moral duty of victims and witnesses to cooperate with law enforcement and
prosecutorial agencies, and the importance of such cooperation for the general
effectiveness and well being of the criminal justice system of this State. HRS 801D also
declared the intent bo ensure that all victims and witnesses of crimes are treated with
dignity, respect, courtesy and sensitivity, and that the rights are honored and protected in
a manner no less vigorous than the protections afforded criminal defendants.
Since 1978, the Victim/Witness Assistance Program has been a part of Hawaii
County's Prosecutor's Office. The staffprovide a multitude of services to victims, their
significant others, and witnesses of crimes to minimize the ofrentimes adverse impact of
the criminal justice system. The services include, but are not limited to, notification of
case and offender status; court procedure orientation; court accompaniment to provide
support; assistance with criminal injuries compensation and property return; assistance
with victim input for sentencing, plea agreements, and Parole Board minimum term
hearings; transportation; emergency services (food, clothing, shelter, restraining orders);
intercession with employers and creditors; referrals; short term and crisis counseling;
making travel and other arrangements for returning witnesses; witness coordination to
lessen the amount of time spent waiting at court; providing a secure waiting area for
witnesses away from defendants; and providing support during interviews of victims of
child abuse, domestic violence, sex assault and other sensitive cases. In addition, the unit
provides other services to deputies, presentations to community organizations, and
training to other agencies.
During the last six mouths of 2004, the unit provided services to 2,471 victims
and 828 witnesses and others. Of the 16 positions in the unit, three have been unfilled for
more than two years because of insufficient finding. One position has been vacant for
almost ten years.
INVESTIGATIONS UNIT
The Investigations Unit consists of seven investigators. Five are county funded,
one is funded under the State Career Criminal Prosecution (CCP) grant and one is
federally funded by the Community Oriented Prosecution project.
The CCP investigator is assigned all cases that involve offenders that qualify as a
career criminal under the Hawaii Revised Statutes. This allows the investigator to
concentrate on assisting solely in the preparation of cases for these types of offenders.
The VACA investigator is assigned all felony cases where a violent act has been
committed against a child victim. Also part of the VACA investigator's duties is to
develop a database of offenders and to track offenders as they progress through the
system.
]t
Generally, this unit conducts investigations in a variety of cases, from simple
traffic cases to cases of the most complex, confidential and diverse nature. The primary
responsibility of the. unit is to assist the attorneys in preparing cases for trial. This
includes: conducting follow-up investigations on cases referred to the office by the
Hawaii County Police Department, preparing exhibits for courtroom presentations,
locating and securing the testimony of expert witnesses, coordinating appearance of
witnesses at trial and monitoring bench warrants.
In addition, the unit is also responsible for assisting in locating and apprehension
of fugitives. The unit, with the cooperation and assistance of the Hawaii County Police
Department and other law enforcement agencies locally, nationally and internationally,
attempts to locate and return fugitives back to Hawaii County.
LEGAL CLERICAL UNIT
The Office of the Prosecuting Attorney has the largest legal clerical staff in
Hawaii County with seventeen clerical employees in the Hilo Office, five clerical
employees in the Kona Office, and one island-wide supervisor. The unit provides
assistance to office attorneys and investigators. Administration and the Victim
Assistance Unit have their own clerical staff.
Unique demands placed upon the legal clerical staff -time constraints, ever-
increasing court requirements, and the public's and other agencies' demands for more
services done in less time -continue to strain the unit. Over the past several years there
has been a significant increase in the volume of cases, without a corresponding increase
in clerical staff. They continue to work diligently to handle the volume, however, the
current level of staffing does not provide for spikes in workload or coverage. This
ongoing situation affects morale, accuracy and efficiency. It also affects our ability to
retain and recruit staff.
In addition to doing traditional legal work, the clerical staff is responsible for
input and update of case information to the Office's HITS case tracking system. HITS is
utilized by staff as well as by Police and is interfaced with the State Juvenile Justice
Infornation System (JJ1S) and Criminal Justice Information System (CJIS). An average
of 360 to 420 new charges are input weekly once cases are referred from the Police
Department or when defendants are detained pending arraignment. Traffic citations are
not generally input into the system until the offender elects to go to trial. This then
requires input to the case tracking system and additional processing, including creation of
case files, processing of discovery, and issuing subpoenas to witnesses. Throughout,
computer tracking input must be done to document the status, file location, and calendar
disposition of each case.
As Hawaii County's economy has declined, an increasing number of defendants
have been unable to make restitution payments, pay fines or do required community
service. This results iin their returning to District Court prompting further tracking by our
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clerical staff. The increase in contempt of court charges, domestic abuse cases, and
defendants requesting legal counsel also requires additional processing by legal clerks.
It has been difficult for our Kona clerical staff to keep up with the rising number
of cases, and over the past two years we have shifted work to the Hilo office to provide
assistance. Through. active recruitment by our Volunteer Services Coordinator, we have
utilized volunteers to provide much needed assistance. While their assistance is greatly
appreciated, the general short-tcrm nature and constant training required places additional
demands on the staff.
Our office is the largest litigation office in Hawaii County. We are proud of our
clerical staffs professionalism and the contribution they make to our litigation efforts.
Along with the other support units, the clerical staff provides quality legal services to the
public.
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Hawaii County Comprehensive Strategy for Juvenile Justice
"Every Youth in Hawaii County will be a Responsible, Healthy, and Caring Community Member'
S.H.O.C.A.P.
Serious Habitual Offender Comprehensive Action Plan
(Pilot Program)
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The mission of SHOCAP is to prevent juvenile recidivism and graduation to the adult
criminal justice system. High-risk juveniles will be encouraged to refrain from delinquent
activity by a mechanism of intensive intra-agency monitoring as well as immediate
consequences for violations of court orders, status offenses, and new law violations.
Pilot program focuses on Big Island youth who have been incarcerated as minority i
commitments to HYCI=, as the nature of incarceration identifies these youth as Serious
Habitual Offenders. Minority commitments being released to the Big Island from HYCF
number between six to ten annually. ~
Upon the success of the pilot program, the definition of a Serious Habitual Offender will
be expanded to include other specific criteria, and will thereby increase the number of ~
participants in SHOCAP.
Active participating agencies include: ~
Hawaii County Office of the Prosecuting Attorney
University of Hawaii at Hilo
State of Hawaii Department of the Attorney General, Crime Prevention and Justice Assistance Division
State of Hawaii Department of the Attorney General, CPJAD -Juvenile Justice Information System
State of Hawaii Office of Youth Services
Third Circuit Family Court Probation
2005 Meeting Schedule:
Dates: 05/13/05, 07/08/05, 09/09/05, 11!18/05
Time: 9:OOam to 10am
Place: Hawaii County Office of the Prosecuting Attorney
3~d Floor Conference Room
34 Rainbow Drive, Hilo, Hawaii
(Video-canferencing is available)
Contact: Lisa Faulkner, Comprehensive Strategy Coordinator
(808)934-3310
Youthbldrs@yahoo.com
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