HRS §52D-8
County pays for police officer's lawyer in job-related cases
If a police officer is charged with a crime or sued for something they did while on duty, the county where they work must provide and pay for a lawyer. In criminal cases, the county hires the lawyer. In civil cases, the county's own attorney handles the defense.
counties
The statute, as written — Police officers; counsel for
Whenever a police officer is prosecuted for a crime or sued in a civil action for acts done in the performance of the officer's duty as a police officer, the police officer shall be represented and defended: (1) In criminal proceedings by an attorney to be employed and paid by the county in which the officer is serving; and (2) In civil cases by the corporation counsel or county attorney of the county in which the police officer is serving.
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