HRS §571-14
Family court's power over adult cases
This section explains which adult cases the family court handles. It has the main authority over crimes against children, adult crimes like desertion or abuse, and family matters like support and guardianship. It can share authority with other courts in some situations.
childrencourtsguardiansparentsspousesvulnerable adults
The statute, as written — Jurisdiction; adults
(a) Except as provided in sections 603-21.5 and 604-8, the court shall have exclusive original jurisdiction: (1) To try any offense committed against a child by the child's parent or guardian or by any other person having the child's legal or physical custody, and any violation of section 302A-1135, 707-726, 707-727, 709-902, 709-903, 709-903.5, 709-904, 709-905, or 709-906, whether or not included in other provisions of this paragraph or paragraph (2); (2) To try any adult charged with: (A) Deserting, abandoning, or failing to provide support for any person in violation of law; (B) An offense, other than a felony, against the person of the defendant's spouse; (C) Any violation of an order issued pursuant to chapter 586; or (D) Any violation of an order issued by a family court judge; (3) In all proceedings under chapter 580, and in all proceedings under chapter 584A; (4) In proceedings under chapter 575, the Uniform Desertion and Nonsupport Act, and under chapter 576B, the Uniform Interstate Family Support Act; (5) For commitment of an adult alleged to be mentally defective or mentally ill; (6) In all proceedings for support between parent and child or between spouses; (7) In all proceedings for pre-trial detention or waiver of jurisdiction over an adult who was a child at the time of an alleged criminal act as provided in section 571-13 or 571-22; (8) In all proceedings under chapter 586, Domestic Abuse Protective Orders; and (9) For the protection of vulnerable adults under chapter 346, part X; provided that in any case within paragraph (1) or (2), the court, in its discretion, may waive its jurisdiction over the offense charged; provided further that in any case within paragraph (3), (4), or (6), the attorney general, through the child support enforcement agency, may exercise concurrent jurisdiction as provided in chapter 576E. (b) The court shall have concurrent jurisdiction with the district court over violations of sections 707-712, 707-717, 707-722, 708-822, 708-823, 710-1010.5, 711-1106, and 711-1106.5 when multiple offenses are charged through complaint or indictment and at least one offense is a violation of an order issued pursuant to chapter 586 or a violation of section 709-906. (c) The court shall have concurrent jurisdiction with the circuit court over violations of section 711-1106.4. [(d)] The court shall have concurrent jurisdiction with the circuit court in all proceedings to appoint a guardian of an adult.
Sections this one refers to
§302A-1135 Penalty for a child missing school
§571-13 Court can keep a case after a minor turns 18
§603-21.5 What cases the circuit court can hear
§707-712 When hurting someone becomes a crime
LawTrove is not legal advice. The summary above is a computer-generated restatement — the authoritative text is the official version linked above.