← Back to search

HRS §806-49

What happens when you plead not guilty

When you are formally charged and say 'not guilty' in court, that plea automatically means you are asking for a trial by jury. The court will then set up a jury for your trial in the usual way.

The statute, as written — Arraignment; plea of not guilty

If any person being arraigned upon any indictment for any offense pleads thereto a plea of "not guilty", the person shall by that plea without any further form, be deemed to have put oneself upon the country for trial, and the court shall in the usual manner order a jury for the trial of the person accordingly.
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.