Hawaii Warrant Search

A Hawaii warrant search is the process of inspecting or obtaining copies of warrant records maintained by local and state law enforcement agencies. Warrant searches help interested individuals verify the warrant status of another person. This allows people to identify if a person is on the most wanted list or has violated a court order. Record seekers can conduct a warrant search at local police departments, county sheriff’s offices, and local courts. Alternatively, warrant information can be retrieved from third-party websites.

What is a Warrant?

A warrant is an official document with legal backing that gives a law enforcement officer permission to take actions such as the search, seizure, and/or arrest of a person. Under the U.S. Fourth Amendment and the Hawaii constitution, warrants are issued by judges or magistrates based on probable ground verified by an oath or affirmation. Typical warrants issued by judicial officers in Hawaii are bench, search, arrest, warrant, and tax warrants.

Are Warrants Public Records in Hawaii?

Yes. The Hawaii Freedom of Information Act states that all government records are available for public inspection unless access is prohibited or restricted by law. Therefore, law enforcement agencies in Hawaii are required by law to make warrant records available for viewing and copying during regular business hours upon request from any individual.

However, the Uniform Information Practices Act (92F-14) prohibits private or sensitive information, such as the social security number of a warrant subject, from being revealed during a warrant search. Until law enforcement officers have executed a search warrant and returned it to the court that issued it, the public cannot access it.

How Do I Look Up Warrants in Hawaii?

To find out if there is an active warrant in Hawaii, interested persons can begin by utilizing the services rendered by third-party websites. Many third-party websites provide warrant records search services to members of the public who wish to look up warrants. These websites may compile warrants from various government archives, allowing users to search for warrants issued in other jurisdictions simultaneously.

The requesting party must provide a first and last name to initiate a warrant search on a third-party website. Basic warrant information is usually free, but full warrant reports come with a fee. Prices are typically less than $5 and may increase with monthly or yearly subscriptions based on the frequency of searches. While third-party sites provide easy access to warrant records, the information they offer may differ because they are not government-run sources.

What is a Search Warrant in Hawaii?

The Hawaii Rules of Court §803-31 defines a search warrant as a judge or magistrate's order directing a law enforcement officer to search property for:

• Items that have been obtained or retained illegally or
• Items intended to be used to commit a specified crime

The Fourth Amendment Constitution and the Hawaii Rules of Penal Procedure (Rule 41) shield Hawaii's citizens from random seizures and searches without a judge's warrant. This typically implies that authorities must get a warrant justified by probable cause before looking through an individual's residence.

• Are Search Warrants Public Records in Hawaii

  Yes. The Hawaii FOIA requires law enforcement agencies to provide search warrant information to the general public upon request. However, any information on a search warrant that may infringe on a citizen's privacy is not accessible to the general public. Also, unexecuted search warrants are deemed confidential.

• How Long Does it Take to Get a Search Warrant in Hawaii?

  There is no specified time frame for obtaining a warrant in Hawaii. A judge will only issue a search warrant when they are satisfied that the grounds for the warrant application exist or that there is probable cause to believe they exist.

• How Long Does a Search Warrant Last

  Per Haw. R. Pen. P. 41,** **a search warrant is only effective for ten days after it has been issued. A search warrant will be declared void and returned to the magistrate or court as unexecuted if not carried out before the time elapses.

What is a Bench Warrant in Hawaii?

The Hawaii Department of the Attorney General defines a bench warrant as a formal court order that gives the police or sheriff the authority to arrest an offender. Anyone charged with a crime by the Grand Jury, who has refused to appear in court, or has disregarded a court order, may be issued a bench warrant. The bench warrant is in effect from the moment it is issued until the subject shows up in court or the court decides to take an alternative approach to the case.

What is an Arrest Warrant in Hawaii?

An arrest warrant grants a law enforcement officer the right to legally detain or arrest a person accused of committing a crime. Hawaii Revised Statutes § 803-1 states that no one may be arrested without obtaining a warrant or other procedure from a magistrate except in the circumstances specified or as otherwise authorized by law.

How to Check if You Have a Warrant in Hawaii

Interested persons can find out if there is an outstanding warrant in Hawaii by contacting the appropriate law enforcement agencies within their vicinity. For instance, an individual may contact the Records & Identification Division of the Honolulu Police Department in person or by phone at (808) 723-3258 to search for active warrants.

Alternatively, a person may conduct a criminal history record check by mail or in person at the Hawaii Criminal Justice Data Center (HCJDC). Mail requesters must submit a completed Request For Criminal History Record Check Form alongside a $30 fee to:

Hawaii Criminal Justice Data Center

Attn: CHRC Unit

465 S. King Street, Room 102

Honolulu, HI 96813

Can You Check Warrants Online in Hawaii?

Yes. Anyone seeking a warrant search online may visit the Hawaii Criminal Justice Data Center website and click on the Adult Criminal Conviction Information Website (eCrim). Record seekers are required to register or log in using an email address. This digital service allows users to access a person's conviction information using the search criteria supplied. The search requirements may include name, social security number, date of birth, and/or gender. Each unique search incurs a $5.00 cost. The official eCrim report costs $10.

Interested persons can also find warrant information online by looking up court cases via the eCourt Kokua database and the Electronic Bench Warrant System, which provides online access to bench warrant information. The eBench warrant system is only open to law enforcement and criminal justice agencies.

How To Find Out If You Have a Warrant for Free

Authorized persons and members of the public can conduct a warrant search for free by:

• Conducting a search online via the eCourt Kokua database and the Electronic Bench Warrant System
• Putting a call to the police department that executed the warrant
• Visiting the local police department and the court where the warrant was issued in person

How to Find Out if Someone Has a Warrant Online For Free in Hawaii

Local law enforcement agencies in Hawaii provide free warrant search services online to members of the public. For example, the Honolulu Police Department has a Wanted Persons List where individuals can find warrant information at no cost.

How Long Does a Warrant Stay Active in Hawaii?

Warrants in Hawaii generally remain active until the statute of limitations for the relevant crime or infraction ends. The time frame of an active warrant varies depending on the type of warrant issued. The Hawaii Statute of Limitations specifies various periods whereby an arrest warrant may remain valid. For instance:

• Serious cases of felonies are set at six years.
• Other classes of felonies are fixed at three years.
• Misdemeanor warrants are subject to a two-year execution time frame.
• Warrants for petty offenses and violations must be executed within one year.
• Arrest warrants for a capital offense, or bench warrants, are valid for an infinite period unless the court recalls them or the subject of the warrant passes.
• A search warrant is only valid for ten (10) days after it has been issued.

How Do I Find Out If I Have a Federal Warrant?

The US Marshall Service grants authorized individuals access to federal warrants through its Warrant Information System (WIN). The Warrant Information System tracks the status of all federal warrants to help investigate federal fugitives. Interested persons may also find subjects with a federal warrant by looking up the “Most Wanted” list made available by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)