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HRS §603-21.5

What cases the circuit court can hear

This section explains which cases the circuit court can handle. It covers criminal cases, penalties, civil cases, and impeachment of county officers. It also lists cases the circuit court shares with family court, like certain felonies and guardianships for incapacitated adults.

courts

The statute, as written — General

(a) The several circuit courts shall have jurisdiction, except as otherwise expressly provided by statute, of: (1) Criminal offenses cognizable under the laws of the State, committed within their respective circuits or transferred to them for trial by change of venue from some other circuit court; (2) Actions for penalties and forfeitures incurred under the laws of the State; (3) Civil actions and proceedings, in addition to those listed in sections 603-21.6, 603-21.7, and 603-21.8; and (4) Actions for impeachment of county officers who are subject to impeachment. (b) The several circuit courts shall have concurrent jurisdiction with the family court over: (1) Any felony under section 571-14, violation of an order issued pursuant to chapter 586, or a violation of section 709-906 when multiple offenses are charged through complaint or indictment and at least one other offense is a criminal offense under subsection (a)(1); (2) Any felony under section 571-14 when multiple offenses are charged through complaint or indictment and at least one other offense is a violation of an order issued pursuant to chapter 586, a violation of section 709-903.5, 709-904, 709-905, or 709-906, or a misdemeanor under the jurisdiction of section 604-8; (3) Any violation of section 711-1106.4; and (4) Guardianships and related proceedings concerning incapacitated adults pursuant to article V of chapter 560.
Read the official text at capitol.hawaii.gov ↗as published Jan 6, 2026our copy taken Aug 20, 2026

Sections this one refers to

§571-14 Family court's power over adult cases

§603-21.6 What the circuit court can do in probate cases

§604-8 What crimes district courts can handle

§709-903.5 Serious harm or drugs to a child is a felony

§709-906 Rules for police and courts in domestic abuse cases

§711-1106.4 Stalking again within five years is a more serious crime

LawTrove is not legal advice. The summary above is a computer-generated restatement — the authoritative text is the official version linked above.