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HRS §803-44.5

How officials apply for a pen register or trap and trace device

This section explains how the state attorney general or a county prosecutor can ask a judge for permission to use a pen register or trap and trace device. The request must be in writing, under oath, and include who is asking and why they believe it will find evidence of a crime.

courtsstate agencies

The statute, as written — Application for a pen register or a trap and trace device

(a) The attorney general of this State or the prosecuting attorney for each county, or a subordinate designated to act in either's absence or incapacity, may apply in writing under oath or equivalent affirmation to a designated judge or any other circuit court judge or district court judge, if a circuit court judge has not been designated by the chief justice of the Hawaii supreme court, or is otherwise unavailable, for an order or an extension of an order to authorize the installation and use of a pen register or a trap and trace device. (b) The application shall include: (1) The identity of the official making the application and the law enforcement agency conducting the investigation; and (2) The facts and circumstances relied upon by the applicant to conclude that there is probable cause to believe that information will be obtained through the installation and use of a pen register or trap and trace device that will constitute the fruits, instrumentalities, or evidence of a crime covered under this part.
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.