← Back to search

HRS §806-38

How to describe a document in a criminal charge

When someone is charged with a crime involving a document, like forging or stealing it, the charge only needs to name the document in a way people usually recognize it. The charge does not have to include a copy or a detailed description of the document.

courts

The statute, as written — Instrument, how described

In any indictment for forging, altering, offering, uttering, disposing of, or for stealing, embezzling, extorting, converting, disposing of, destroying, or concealing, or for obtaining by false pretenses any instrument, it shall be sufficient to describe the instrument by any name or designation by which the same may be usually known or by the purport thereof, without setting out any copy or facsimile thereof or otherwise describing the same or the value thereof.
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.