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HRS §804-3

When bail can be denied for serious crimes

This section explains that people charged with crimes can usually get bail, but bail can be denied for serious crimes in certain situations, like if the person might flee, hurt someone, or break the law. It also lists situations where the court assumes these risks are present.

courts

The statute, as written — Bailable offenses

(a) For purposes of this section, "serious crime" means murder or attempted murder in the first degree, murder or attempted murder in the second degree, or a class A or B felony, except forgery in the first degree and failing to render aid under section 291C-12, and "bail" includes release on one's own recognizance, supervised release, and conditional release. (b) Any person charged with a criminal offense shall be bailable by sufficient sureties; provided that bail may be denied where the charge is for a serious crime, and: (1) There is a serious risk that the person will flee; (2) There is a serious risk that the person will obstruct or attempt to obstruct justice, or therefore, injure, or intimidate, or attempt to thereafter, injure, or intimidate, a prospective witness or juror; (3) There is a serious risk that the person poses a danger to any person or the community; or (4) There is a serious risk that the person will engage in illegal activity. (c) Under subsection (b)(1) a rebuttable presumption arises that there is a serious risk that the person will flee or will not appear as directed by the court where the person is charged with a criminal offense punishable by imprisonment for life without possibility of parole. For purposes of subsection (b)(3) and (4) a rebuttable presumption arises that the person poses a serious danger to any person or community or will engage in illegal activity where the court determines that: (1) The defendant has been previously convicted of a serious crime involving violence against a person within the ten-year period preceding the date of the charge against the defendant; (2) The defendant is already on bail on a felony charge involving violence against a person; or (3) The defendant is on probation or parole for a serious crime involving violence to a person. (d) If, after a hearing the court finds that no condition or combination of conditions will reasonably assure the appearance of the person when required or the safety of any other person or community, bail may be denied.
Read the official text at capitol.hawaii.gov ↗as published Jan 6, 2026our copy taken Aug 20, 2026

Sections this one refers to

§291C-12 Stop and stay after a crash that kills or seriously hurts someone

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