On Thursday, January 31, 2013, on behalf of the Department of the Honolulu Prosecuting Attorney, I testified in support of the following bills:
HB238 (Honolulu Prosecuting Attorney bill) that amends section 621-7, HRS, to increase the per diem payments for out-of-state witnesses in criminal cases from $110 to $145. Provides an additional $90 per diem payment for witnesses from any island other than the island on which the court is located, when that witness is required to stay overnight.
HB236 (Honolulu Prosecuting Attorney bill) that amends crime victims’ bill of rights to include notice as to an offender’s unfitness to stand trial, transfer to the state hospital or other psychiatric facility, or regaining fitness to proceed. Requires the department of health to provide notice of an offender’s unauthorized absences to the department of the prosecuting attorney in the county where the crime was committed.
HB239 (Honolulu Prosecuting Attorney bill) that requires the family court, when requested by the victim, to order the adjudicated minor to make restitution to the victim. Requires the family court to order the parents of the adjudicated minor to pay the remainder of the restitution, if any.
I testified with comments on:
HB148 that establishes a felony and misdemeanor offense for injuring or killing an animal engaged in law enforcement or corrections activities.
I testified in opposition on:
HB275 that proposes a constitutional amendment authorizing the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court to appoint judges who have retired upon attaining the age of seventy years as emeritus judges, permitting the appointed judges to serve as temporary judges in courts no higher than the court level they reached prior to retirement and for terms not to exceed three months.
JON RIKI KARAMATSU 