Hawaii House Bill HR70

Hawaii 2023 Regular Session

• Introduced: 3/9/23
• Refer: 3/15/23

Caption

Requesting The Office Of The Prosecuting Attorney Of Each County To Collect Certain Socioeconomic Data For Each Case Prosecuted By The Office.

Impact

The resolution proposes the collection of detailed information including a defendant's race, gender, educational background, job status, neighborhood of arrest, and duration of residence in Hawaii. This data can be instrumental in understanding broader patterns within the criminal justice system, particularly related to mass incarceration and racial disparities. The availability of such data is expected to inform legislative policymaking concerning the Penal Code and the criminal justice system at large.

Summary

House Resolution 70 (HR70) requests that the Office of the Prosecuting Attorney for each county in Hawaii collect certain socioeconomic data for every case they prosecute. The bill emphasizes the pivotal role that prosecuting attorneys play in the criminal justice system, particularly in making decisions regarding charges, pretrial detention, and sentencing that can have significant effects on individuals and their communities. By gathering and publicly sharing this information, HR70 aims to enhance the transparency of prosecutorial processes and decision-making.

Contention

There may be concerns surrounding privacy and the potential misuse of collected data, as well as the implications it has for prosecutorial discretion and autonomy. Critics could argue that mandatory data collection might burden administrative processes, and there are questions about how effectively the data can lead to meaningful changes in policy or practice. The success of HR70 will largely depend on the willingness and ability of county offices to implement these measures effectively.