Criminal records in Honolulu, Hawaii, can be accessed through several channels, including online tools, official court systems, law enforcement agencies, and the clerk's office. HonoluluCourt.us can help find publicly available criminal case information. The Hawaii State Judiciary maintains the official court records system, while the Hawaii Criminal Justice Data Center (HCJDC) serves as the state criminal history repository. The Honolulu Police Department and the First Circuit Court on Oʻahu also handle record inquiries.
How to Search Criminal Records in Honolulu
There are several ways to search for criminal records in Honolulu, depending on the type of information you need and how you plan to use it.
Online Search Tools
- HonoluluCourt.us — Search for publicly available court record information, including criminal cases filed in Honolulu.
- eCourt Kokua — The Hawaii Judiciary's free public portal for searching traffic, District Court, Circuit Court, and Family Court (adult) criminal cases. You can search by person name or case number. Available 24/7, though the system goes offline briefly for maintenance.
- eCrim — Maintained by the HCJDC, this tool lets you search adult criminal conviction information statewide. It displays conviction records that are considered public under Hawaii law.
- Honolulu Police Department Arrest Logs — HPD publishes arrest log data online, which includes recent booking information.
In Person
Visit the Legal Documents Branch at the First Circuit Court (Kaʻahumanu Hale) in downtown Honolulu. Public access terminals may be available for searching court records. You can also speak with a clerk about specific case inquiries.
For questions about eCourt Kokua or general court records, call 808-539-4909 or email pao@courts.hawaii.gov.
By Mail or Written Request
- Court records: Submit a written request to the Oʻahu First Circuit Legal Documents Branch at the address above. Include the defendant's full name, case number (if known), and the type of record you need.
- Criminal history (state repository): Request an official criminal history record check through the Hawaii Criminal Justice Data Center. Fingerprint-based checks require an appointment and submission of fingerprint cards. Name-based checks can be submitted through the HCJDC name-based background check process.
What You Need to Start a Search
- Defendant's full legal name (first and last; middle name helps narrow results)
- Date of birth (if available)
- Case number (if known)
- Social Security Number (required only for fingerprint-based HCJDC checks)
Search Honolulu Criminal Cases by Case Number
If you already have a case number, searching is faster and more precise. Hawaii uses a standardized case numbering format across its courts.
A typical Hawaii case number follows this pattern:
- 1CPC-XX-XXXXXXX — where 1 indicates the First Circuit (Oʻahu/Honolulu), CPC designates a Circuit Court criminal case, XX is the two-digit filing year, and the remaining digits are the sequential case number.
- 1DTA — District Court traffic cases
- 1DCW — District Court criminal cases
- 1FFC — Family Court cases (adult criminal matters in Family Court)
The first digit always identifies the circuit. For Honolulu, it is 1. The letter codes that follow indicate the court division and case type. Enter the full case number into eCourt Kokua to pull up charges, hearing dates, and dispositions.
Charges, Case Status, Hearings, and Court Results in Honolulu
Criminal case records in Honolulu typically include several key data points. Here is what each one means:
Charges
| Element | Description |
|---|---|
| Statute code | Hawaii Revised Statutes (HRS) section cited in the charge (e.g., HRS §708-840 for Robbery) |
| Severity | Felony (Class A, B, or C), misdemeanor, or petty misdemeanor |
| Amended charges | Original charges may be amended by the prosecutor before or during trial; both versions typically appear in the record |
| Count number | Each separate offense is listed as a distinct count |
Case Status
- Pending — Case is open and awaiting resolution
- Active — Proceedings are underway (hearings scheduled, trial in progress)
- Disposed — A final outcome has been reached (conviction, dismissal, acquittal)
- Closed — All post-disposition requirements are complete
Hearing Types
- Arraignment — Defendant is formally advised of charges and enters a plea
- Preliminary hearing — Judge determines whether probable cause exists (felony cases)
- Pre-trial conference — Attorneys discuss case status, possible plea agreements, and trial readiness
- Trial — Bench or jury trial on the merits
- Sentencing — Judge imposes penalties after a guilty verdict or plea
- Review hearing — Follow-up on probation compliance or other post-sentencing conditions
Court Results (Dispositions)
- Guilty — Convicted by plea or verdict
- Not guilty — Acquitted at trial
- Dismissed — Charges dropped by the court or prosecution (with or without prejudice)
- No contest (nolo contendere) — Defendant does not contest the charge; treated as a conviction for sentencing
- Deferred acceptance of guilty plea (DAGP) — Court defers judgment; if conditions are met, the case may be dismissed
- Acquitted — Found not guilty after trial
How to Request Certified Criminal Records in Honolulu
Certified copies carry an official court seal and are accepted for legal, employment, and licensing purposes. The process depends on the type of record.
Court Records (Certified Case Documents)
- Submit a request to the First Circuit Legal Documents Branch in person or by mail.
- Provide the case number, defendant name, and the specific documents needed (e.g., judgment, minutes, complaint).
- Pay the applicable certification and copy fees.
- Bring a valid government-issued photo ID if requesting in person.
Criminal History Record Check (HCJDC)
For an official criminal history report (sometimes called a "police clearance" or "police abstract"), submit a request through the Hawaii Criminal Justice Data Center.
- Fingerprint-based check: Required for most employment and licensing purposes. Submit fingerprint cards and the applicable fee to HCJDC.
- Name-based check: Returns adult criminal arrest information. Available through the HCJDC name-based background check service.
- Identification needed: Valid government-issued photo ID; fingerprint cards for fingerprint-based checks.
Fees, Copy Costs, and Processing Times for Criminal Records in Honolulu
Fees vary depending on the agency and the type of record. The table below summarizes common costs based on published schedules.
| Service | Fee | Source / Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Court document copies (uncertified) | $1.00 per page | Hawaii Judiciary fee schedule |
| Certification of court document | $5.00 per document | Hawaii Judiciary fee schedule |
| eCrim online search (conviction info) | Free | HCJDC / eCrim portal |
| Fingerprint-based criminal history check (Hawaii applicant) | $30.00 | HCJDC — per HRS §846-2.7 |
| Name-based background check | $15.00 | HCJDC name-based service |
| Federal court record search (PACER) | $0.10 per page (capped at $3.00 per document) | PACER |
Processing Times
- eCourt Kokua / eCrim online searches: Immediate results
- In-person court record copies: Often same-day if the record is readily available; older or archived records may take several business days
- Mail requests for court documents: Typically 1–2 weeks
- HCJDC fingerprint-based checks: Approximately 2–4 weeks, depending on volume
- HCJDC name-based checks: Results are generally available within a few business days
Fees are subject to change. Confirm current amounts with the issuing office before submitting payment. For court-related fees, contact the First Circuit clerk's office. For HCJDC fees, visit the criminal history records check page.