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HRS §804-18

Arresting witnesses who skip court

If a witness who was ordered to appear in court does not show up, the court can have them arrested. Once arrested, the witness may be fined up to $100 and must stay in custody until they testify or provide security for their future appearance.

courts

The statute, as written — Witness, summary process for

Courts may also, on motion of the public prosecutor, order any sheriff or chief of police or the sheriff's or chief's authorized subordinate to arrest and bring before them any person who has been bound by recognizance or summoned to appear and give testimony and who has not attended at the time appointed. When so arrested, the witnesses may be also fined in any sum not exceeding $100 for their neglect, and shall remain in custody until they give their testimony and are discharged from further attendance, or until they give such security as shall satisfy the court, for their appearance to testify. [PC 1869, c 50, §17; RL 1925, §3994; RL 1935, §5448; am L 1939, c 104, §7; am L 1943, c 62, §21 and c 64, §22; RL 1945, §10748; RL 1955, §256-18; HRS §709-18; ren L 1972, c 9, pt of §1; gen ch 1985; am L 1989, c 211, §10; am L 1990, c 281, §11]
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.