Hawaii Revised Statutes, Chapter 845 — Career Criminals

Division 5. Crimes and Criminal Proceedings — Title 38. Procedural and Supplementary Provisions

Hawaii Revised Statutes as published by the Hawaii State Legislature (files updated 1/5/2026 7:15 PM).

Division 5 Crimes and Criminal Proceedings

Title 38 Procedural and Supplementary Provisions

Chapter 845 Career Criminals

§845-1 Findings and purpose

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, commonly known as career criminals. In enacting this chapter, the legislature intends to support increased efforts by prosecuting attorneys' offices to prosecute career criminals through organizational and operational techniques that have been proven effective in selected counties in other states.

[L 1979, c 104, pt of §1]

§845-2 Career criminal prosecution program

(a) There shall be established a career criminal prosecution program, whose purpose shall be the investigation and prosecution of those persons identified as habitual or career criminals.

(b) The office of the attorney general shall administer the program, and develop a plan of financial and technical assistance for prosecuting attorneys' offices. The attorney general shall direct the program and may allocate and award funds to counties in which career criminal prosecution units are established in substantial compliance with the policies and criteria established by the attorney general. The establishment of these policies and criteria shall not be subject to chapter 91, but the criteria shall be based on the general definition in section 845-3.

[L 1979, c 104, pt of §1]

§845-3 Persons subject to career criminal prosecution efforts

(a) An individual shall be the subject of career criminal prosecution efforts if the individual falls into categories 1, 2, or 3 in subsection (b) and may be the subject of career criminal prosecution efforts if the individual falls into any other category of subsection (b).

(b) Subject to the restrictions in subsection (a), career criminal prosecution applies to an individual who:

(1) Has had two or more felony convictions within the last five years.

(2) Has had one or more felony and two or more misdemeanor convictions and/or arrests within the last three years. Misdemeanors will be limited to prostitution, theft II and place to keep firearm.

(3) Is convicted and/or arrested for the offense of "felon in possession of a firearm" within the last five years.

(4) Is on parole.

(5) Is on probation.

(6) Is on bond awaiting an appeal.

(7) Is on bond awaiting trial.

(8) Is known or suspected to be an associate of organized crime.

(9) Is known or suspected of recurring or ongoing criminal activity.

(10) Has no adult record but who has an extensive juvenile record.

(11) Is a juvenile with an extensive record who has been waived to the circuit court for trial.

[L 1979, c 104, pt of §1; am L 1980, c 166, §1; gen ch 1985]