HRS §806-50
What happens if a defendant refuses to answer charges
Read the official text at capitol.hawaii.gov ↗If someone accused of a crime refuses to answer the charges on purpose, the court can enter a 'not guilty' plea for them. This plea works the same as if the person said it themselves.
courts
The statute, as written — Standing mute
A copy, taken August 20, 2026. The version published by the Legislature is the one that governs, and it may have changed since. Check it before relying on anything here.
If any person being arraigned upon or charged with any offense, stands mute of malice, or will not answer directly to the indictment, the court (if it shall so think fit) may order the proper officer to enter a plea of "not guilty" on behalf of that person, and the plea so entered shall have the same force and effect as if the person had actually pleaded the same.
LawTrove is not legal advice. The summary above is a computer-generated restatement — the authoritative text is the official version linked above.