Opinion
SCMF-20-0000152
09-30-2021
In the Matter of the Judiciary's Response to the COVID-19 Outbreak
Recktenwald, C.J., Nakayama, McKenna, and Eddins, JJ., with Wilson, J., concurring and dissenting
See Dissent to Amended Order Re: Felony Defendants (Filed August 18, 2020); Order Re: Petty Misdemeanor, Misdemeanor, and Felony Defendants at Maui Community Correctional Center, Hawai'i Community Correctional Center, and Kaua'i Community Correctional Center (Filed August 24, 2020); Order Re: Petty Misdemeanor, Misdemeanor, and Felony Defendants (Filed August 27, 2020); and Order Denying Petitioner's "Motion to Compel Compliance with This Court's Orders" (Filed September 1, 2020). The Dissent was filed on February 18, 2021, in SCPW-20-0000509. See also Concurrence and Dissent Re: Order Regarding Temporary Extension of the Time Requirements Under Hawai'i Rules of Penal Procedure Rule 10(a), (b), and (c), filed on August 20, 2020.
NINTH EXTENSION OF ORDER REGARDING TEMPORARY EXTENSION OF THE TIME REQUIREMENTS UNDER HAWAI'I RULES OF PENAL PROCEDURE RULE 10(A), (B), AND (C)
The COVID-19 pandemic has caused a public health emergency. In response to the pandemic, the Judiciary postponed non-urgent court business and limited in-person proceedings in an effort to ensure the health and safety of court users and Judiciary personnel, and to minimize the risk of spreading COVID-19 in the courts. As COVID-19 cases remained low, court operations resumed in accordance with public health safety guidance, and to the extent possible with available resources. Criminal proceedings have proceeded in-person and by video conference in accordance with court rules and as feasible.
In July 2020, there was a surge of COVID-19 cases in Hawai'i, with record numbers of positive cases and increased hospitalizations being reported. There was also a surge of COVID-19 cases in our community correctional centers and facilities, particularly at the O'ahu Community Correctional Center ("OCCC"). As a result, additional time was required to be afforded for arraignments in order to give sufficient opportunity for those released from OCCC to self-isolate or quarantine for possible COVID-19 exposure as necessary and to ensure the health and safety of court users and Judiciary personnel.
Thus, on August 18, 2020, this court entered the "Order Regarding Temporary Extension of the Time Requirements Under Hawai'i Rules of Penal Procedure Rule 10(a), (b), and (c)," which provided that the first circuit may temporarily extend the time requirements for arraignments no longer than reasonably necessary to protect public health and safety, while encouraging judges to utilize remote technology whenever possible. As the number of COVID-19 cases continued to remain high, this court extended the provisions of the August 18, 2020 order. Currently, the August 18, 2020 order, as extended, expires on September 30, 2021.
The rate of positive COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations on O'ahu, and within our community correctional centers, continues to fluctuate. In early August 2021, statewide infection and hospitalization rates surged, with record numbers of positive cases and rapidly increasing hospitalizations being reported. As the pandemic conditions continue to evolve and impact our community, health and safety precautions continue to remain in place. Given the current trajectory of the pandemic and the fluidity of these conditions, flexibility and vigilance in adapting to these extraordinary circumstances is vital, and the continued need to protect the health and safety of court users and Judiciary personnel during this unprecedented time remains paramount. A further extension of the August 18, 2020 order for first circuit criminal matters is therefore necessary.
Accordingly, pursuant to article VI, section 7 of the Hawai'i Constitution, Hawai'i Revised Statutes §§ 601-1.5 and 602-5(a)(6), and Governor David Y. Ige's Emergency Proclamations, IT IS HEREBY ORDERED that the August 18, 2 02 0 "Order Regarding Temporary Extension of the Time Requirements Under Hawai'i Rules of Penal Procedure Rule 10(a), (b), and (c)" for first circuit criminal matters is further extended until November 30, 2021, unless otherwise further modified or extended.