Hawaii Charge Code Lookup

Type a Hawaii charge code from a booking sheet, jail roster or ticket and see which law book and section it points to, with a link to the official text. It runs in your browser and nothing is stored.

Enter a code to see which law book it comes from and open the official text.

Hawaii criminal code books and abbreviations

Hawaii defines offenses in more than one law book, so the abbreviation on the record tells you which one:

  • Hawaii Revised Statutes, chapters 701-853 (Penal Code and criminal procedure) (HRS). Sections are written as chapter-section (707-712), for example 707-712, 708-830, 712-1243. See section 707-712
  • Hawaii Revised Statutes, chapters 261-319 (incl. 291C traffic, 291E OVUII) (HRS). Sections are written as chapter-section (291E-61), for example 291E-61, 291C-102. See section 291E-61
  • Hawaii Revised Statutes, chapters 321-344 (includes chapter 329, Uniform Controlled Substances Act) (HRS). Sections are written as chapter-section (329-43.5), for example 329-43.5, 329-42. See section 329-43.5

After an arrest in Hawaii: the first court appearance

It is unlawful to fail, within 48 hours of an arrest on suspicion of a crime, to either release the arrested person or charge the person with a crime and take the person before a magistrate. (HRS § 803-9(5))

(5) To fail, within forty-eight hours of the arrest of a person on suspicion of having committed a crime, either to release or to charge the arrested person with a crime and take the arrested person

Hawaii courts call this hearing the initial appearance.

What this page does not do

  • It does not look up a person, a booking or a case.
  • It does not say what a charge will lead to; the prosecutor decides what is filed.
  • It collects nothing; what you type stays in your browser.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I read a Hawaii charge code?

Find the number and the abbreviation. HRS is used for the Hawaii Revised Statutes, chapters 701-853 (Penal Code and criminal procedure) and the Hawaii Revised Statutes, chapters 261-319 (incl. 291C traffic, 291E OVUII) and the Hawaii Revised Statutes, chapters 321-344 (includes chapter 329, Uniform Controlled Substances Act), so the title or chapter number in the cite tells them apart. A section is written as chapter-section (707-712). The lookup above links the official text.

How long can you be held in Hawaii before seeing a judge?

It is unlawful to fail, within 48 hours of an arrest on suspicion of a crime, to either release the arrested person or charge the person with a crime and take the person before a magistrate. (HRS § 803-9(5)).

Sources

Checked against the sources above on October 20, 2026.

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