Hawaiʻi
The state of Hawaii funds all indigent defense services in adult criminal trials. The state administers almost all services, with local governments being responsible for some cases. A state commission provides oversight of state-administered services only.
The state of Hawaii funds all indigent defense services for adult criminal cases in its appellate courts. The state administers almost all services, with local governments being responsible for some cases. A state commission provides oversight of state-administered services only.
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5 Counties State Funded
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5 Counties Primarily State Administered
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5 Counties with a Commission With Limited Authority
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5 Counties State Funded
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5 Counties Primarily State Administered
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1 County with No Commission, But Statewide Authority
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4 Counties with a Commission With Limited Authority
The state Office of the Public Defender administers almost all adult and juvenile trial and appellate representation across the state. The state agency provides representation through branch public defender offices located on Hawaii’s four most populated islands (Oahu, Hawai’i, Maui, and Kauai). If a public defender office has a conflict, local judges have the authority to appoint private attorneys who are paid hourly. The state does not have oversight of these private attorneys. All indigent defense services are state funded.
The state public defender leads the Office of the Public Defender, and the Defender Council oversees the office. The Defender Council is composed of five members, one from each county and one at-large, all appointed by the governor, and is responsible for appointing the state public defender.
The state Office of the Public Defender administers almost all adult and juvenile trial and appellate representation across the state. The state agency provides representation through branch public defender offices located on Hawaii’s four most populated islands (Oahu, Hawai’i, Maui, and Kauai). If a public defender office has a conflict, local judges have the authority to appoint private attorneys who are paid hourly. The state does not have oversight of these private attorneys. All indigent defense services are state funded.
The state public defender leads the Office of the Public Defender, and the Defender Council oversees the office. The Defender Council is composed of five members, one from each county and one at-large, all appointed by the governor, and is responsible for appointing the state public defender.
Dig Deeper
Is there any pay parity between indigent defense providers and prosecutors in the state?
Can public defenders be part-time and practice law outside of their duties as a public defender?
In which branch of state government does the indigent defense system reside?
Support Our Work
Criminal justice issues that disproportionately harm poor people, such as wrongful convictions and over-incarceration, cannot be fixed if indigent defendants are given attorneys who do not have the time, resources, or qualifications, to be a constitutional check on government. Yet, investment in improving indigent defense services remains largely neglected. The Sixth Amendment Center is the only nonprofit organization in the country that exclusively examines, uncovers, and helps fix the root of the indigent defense crisis in which inequality is perpetuated because poor defendants do not get a fair fight.
The Sixth Amendment Center is a tax-exempt 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization under EIN: 45-3477185.
Donations are tax-deductible to the fullest extent allowable under the law.