Hawaii House Bill HR200

Hawaii 2023 Regular Session

• Introduced: 3/10/23
• Refer: 3/15/23

Caption

Requesting The Office Of The Administrative Director Of The Courts Of The Hawaii State Judiciary To Collect, Compile, And Share Data On The Assessment Of Fees, Court Costs, Fines, And Restitution In Cases Against Minors.

Impact

If passed, HR200 would mandate the Office of the Administrative Director of the Courts to collect, compile, and share relevant data regarding these financial assessments against minors. This includes analyzing the total amounts of fees, costs, and fines imposed over the past five years, as well as creating a report that would inform legislative discussions in future sessions. The data collected will potentially guide changes to current practices and influence future policy decisions regarding juvenile penalties.

Summary

House Resolution 200 (HR200) addresses the issues surrounding the assessment of fees, court costs, fines, and restitution in cases involving minors within the state of Hawaii. It recognizes the negative impact such financial penalties can have on young individuals and their families, particularly emphasizing the disproportionate effects on Native Hawaiian, Pacific Islander, and Black youth, who often find themselves unable to afford these costs. The resolution acknowledges existing research suggesting that these financial requirements do not contribute positively to public safety and may instead lead to increased recidivism among youth offenders.

Contention

Though HR200 appears to advocate for the welfare of young people, it may face opposition. Some may argue that eliminating or limiting fees and fines could undermine accountability in the juvenile justice system. Additionally, discussions may arise around concerns regarding restitution for victims of juvenile offenses, as the resolution aims to assess rather than mitigate these financial burdens currently placed on young offenders. The argument that prohibiting fees does not adequately address the needs of crime survivors may lead to diverse opinions among legislators, particularly between those prioritizing rehabilitation versus accountability.