HRS §802-3

How to ask a judge for a free lawyer

If you qualify for a public defender or another appointed lawyer, you can ask any judge to assign one to you. You can make this request at any reasonable time. This section only explains how to make the request.

everyone

The statute, as written — Request for appointment of counsel

Any person entitled to representation by a public defender or other appointed counsel may at any reasonable time request any judge to appoint counsel to represent the person.

Read the official text at capitol.hawaii.gov ↗as published Jan 6, 2026our copy taken Aug 20, 2026

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