Honolulu Arrest Procedures - City Law Guide

Public Safety Hawaii 3 Minutes Read ยท published February 09, 2026 Flag of Hawaii

This guide explains how to find local arrest procedures in Honolulu, Hawaii, who enforces them and how to request records or challenge an arrest. Start by checking the Honolulu Police Department materials and the city code to see local policies and ordinances, then confirm applicable criminal charges under Hawaii state law. The steps below show where to look for official procedures, how to request arrest and booking records, and practical appeal or complaint routes for residents and attorneys in Honolulu. For formal requirements and timelines, consult the agencies listed and follow the record-request or complaint procedures they publish.[1]

Always verify the agency page for the most current procedures.

Penalties & Enforcement

Arrest penalties and criminal fines are set by state criminal statutes and by the charging instrument; the municipal code and police procedure pages referenced here do not enumerate fixed fines for arrests themselves. Enforcement is carried out by the Honolulu Police Department and prosecutions by the State of Hawaii Attorney General or the City/County Prosecuting authority where applicable.[2]

  • Enforcer: Honolulu Police Department is the primary arresting agency; prosecutions are handled by state or county prosecutors.
  • Fines: specific dollar amounts for criminal penalties are not specified on the cited municipal and police pages; see controlling state statutes for charge-specific fines.
  • Escalation: penalties escalate by charge class (misdemeanor, felony) and by repeat or continuing offenses; exact ranges are set in state law, not enumerated on the cited city pages.
  • Non-monetary sanctions: orders, custody, probation, license suspension, property seizure and court-imposed conditions can apply depending on the charge and court disposition.
  • Inspection and complaints: file complaints or records requests with HPD Records or internal affairs as shown on the HPD official site.
  • Appeals and review: criminal convictions may be appealed through the state court system; time limits and procedures are governed by court rules or statute and are not listed on the cited city pages.
If a specific fine or deadline is required, confirm it in the statute or the prosecutor's charging documents.

Applications & Forms

For arrest/booking record copies, background checks or incident reports consult the HPD Records section. If a city form is required for complaints or record requests, the HPD Records or Records Request pages provide the necessary forms and submission instructions; if a published form number or fee is not visible on those pages, it is not specified on the cited page.

  • Records requests: follow HPD Records instructions for submitting a request, required identification and any fees.
  • Deadlines: appeal and court deadlines vary by charge and court; check the charging documents or consult a lawyer promptly.

Action Steps

  • Identify the arrest charge and case number from the arrest report or citation.
  • Request a copy of the arrest/booking report from HPD Records following their published procedure.
  • If you believe misconduct occurred, file a complaint with HPD Internal Affairs or the appropriate oversight body.
  • To challenge charges or pursue an appeal, contact the prosecutor's office or consult a criminal defense attorney promptly to preserve rights and deadlines.

FAQ

How do I obtain a copy of an arrest report?
Submit a records request to Honolulu Police Department Records using their published request form or online portal; identification and fees may be required.
Can arrests be appealed or reviewed?
Criminal charges are prosecuted by state or county authorities and convictions can be appealed through the Hawaii court system; time limits depend on the charge and court rules.
Where do I report alleged police misconduct?
File a complaint with HPD Internal Affairs or follow the complaint process on the HPD official site; you may also contact the prosecuting authority if criminal conduct is alleged.

How-To

  1. Find the incident number or citation from the arresting officer or arrest paperwork.
  2. Visit the HPD Records request page and submit the required form or online request for the arrest report.
  3. If you need to complain about conduct, follow HPD's complaint instructions or contact Internal Affairs.
  4. For legal challenges, consult the prosecutor's office for charging details and retain counsel to preserve appeal rights.
  5. Keep copies of all requests, receipts and correspondence to document deadlines and responses.

Key Takeaways

  • HPD enforces arrests; prosecutions follow state or county charging decisions.
  • Request arrest records through HPD Records; forms and fees are posted by HPD.
  • Appeals and fines depend on the specific criminal charge and state law; check statutes or charging documents.

Help and Support / Resources

  1. [1] Honolulu Police Department official site
  2. [2] Revised Ordinances of Honolulu (municipal code)

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