Hawaiʻi State Judiciary judges and staff dedicated a Saturday afternoon to assist individuals with bench warrant and penal summons recalls at the Waiʻanae Public Library. The clinic, which focused on traffic and petty misdemeanor cases, processed 46 ex-parte motions prepared by the Office of the Public Defender. New hearing dates were assigned for those seeking assistance.
The event also saw volunteer attorneys helping 72 people initiate expungement of criminal arrest records, according to the Hawaiʻi Workers Center. In total, over 100 people attended this inaugural clinic held on September 28.
"People were lined up when the doors opened," stated First Circuit Deputy Chief Judge Melanie May, who organized the event alongside Deputy Chief Court Administrator Michelle Acosta. "We expected those living on the west side of Oʻahu, but people came from all over the island. Those who took advantage of the services offered were tremendously appreciative."
Chief Justice Mark E. Recktenwald expressed gratitude towards Judge May for her efforts in facilitating access to justice for community members facing challenges with outstanding District Court bench warrants. He also thanked several volunteers including Judge Michelle Comeau, Judge Tracy Fukui, and others for their contributions in processing recalls and coordinating new hearing dates.
"This community service event would not have been possible without the Office of the Public Defender, the Hawaiʻi Criminal Justice Data Center, William S. Richardson School of Law, Hawaiʻi Workers Center, ACLU Hawaii, Project e4, Volunteer Legal Services Hawaiʻi, and our host, the Waiʻanae Public Library," added Chief Justice Recktenwald.