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Domestic Violence Protective Order Statutes
Hawaii Revised Statutes

CHAPTER 586

DOMESTIC ABUSE PROTECTIVE ORDERS

Part I. General Provisions

• 586-1 Definitions
• 586-2 Court jurisdiction
• 586-3 Order for protection
• 586-4 Temporary restraining order
• 586-5 Period of order; hearing
• 586-5.5 Protective order; additional orders
• 586-5.6 Effective date
• 586-6 Notice of order
• 586-7 Assistance of police in service or execution
• 586-8 Right to apply for relief
• 586-9 Modification of order
• 586-10 Copy to law enforcement agency
• 586-10.5 Reports by the department of human services
• 586-11 Violation of an order for protection

Part II. Foreign Protective Orders

• 586-21 Foreign protective orders
• 586-22 Valid protective order
• 586-23 Filing of foreign protective order
• 586-24 Enforcement of foreign protective orders
• 586-25 Good faith immunity
• 586-26 Penalties

CHAPTER 604

DISTRICT COURTS

• 604-10.5 Power to enjoin and temporarily restrain harassment.

CHAPTER 586

DOMESTIC ABUSE PROTECTIVE ORDERS
Part I. General Provisions

§586-1 Definitions.

As used in this chapter:

"Dating relationship" means a romantic, courtship, or engagement relationship, often but not necessarily characterized by actions of an intimate or sexual nature, but does not include a casual acquaintanceship or ordinary fraternization between persons in a business or social context.

"Domestic abuse" means:

(1) Physical harm, bodily injury, assault, or the threat of imminent physical harm, bodily injury, or assault, extreme psychological abuse or malicious property damage between family or household members; or

(2) Any act which would constitute an offense under section 709-906, or under part V or VI of chapter 707 committed against a minor family or household member by an adult family or household member.

"Extreme psychological abuse" means an intentional or knowing course of conduct directed at an individual that seriously alarms or disturbs consistently or continually bothers the individual, and that serves no legitimate purpose; provided that such course of conduct would cause a reasonable person to suffer extreme emotional distress.

"Family or household member" means spouses or reciprocal beneficiaries, former spouses or former reciprocal beneficiaries, persons who have a child in common, parents, children, persons related by consanguinity, persons jointly residing or formerly residing in the same dwelling unit, and persons who have or have had a dating relationship.

"Malicious property damage" means an intentional or knowing damage to the property of another, without his consent, with an intent to thereby cause emotional distress. [L 1982, c 123, pt of §2; am L 1987, c 359, §2; am L 1997, c 383, §64; am L 1998, c 172, §1; am L 2000, c 186, §2; am L 2000, c 186, §2]

[§586-2] Court jurisdiction.

An application for relief under this chapter may be filed in any family court in the circuit in which the petitioner resides. Actions under this chapter shall be given docket priorities by the court. [L 1982, c 123, pt of §2]

§586-3 Order for protection.

(a) There shall exist an action known as a petition for an order for protection in cases of domestic abuse.

(b) A petition for relief under this chapter may be made by:

(1) Any family or household member on the member's own behalf or on behalf of a family or household member who is a minor or who is incapacitated as defined in section 560:5-101(2) or who is physically unable to go to the appropriate place to complete or file the petition; or

(2) Any state agency on behalf of a person who is a minor or who is incapacitated as defined in section 560:5-101(2) or a person who is physically unable to go to the appropriate place to complete or file the petition on behalf of that person.

(c) A petition for relief shall be in writing upon forms provided by the court and shall allege, under penalty of perjury, that: a past act or acts of abuse may have occurred; threats of abuse make it probable that acts of abuse may be imminent; or extreme psychological abuse or malicious property damage is imminent; and be accompanied by an affidavit made under oath or a statement made under penalty of perjury stating the specific facts and circumstances from which relief is sought.

(d) The family court shall designate an employee or appropriate nonjudicial agency to assist the person in completing the petition. [L 1982, c 123, pt of §2; am L 1983, c 18, §1; am L 1985, c 136, §1; am L 1987, c 315, §1 and c 359, §1; am L 1997, c 322, §1; am L 2000, c 186, §3]

§586-4 Temporary restraining order.

(a) Upon petition to a family court judge, an ex parte temporary restraining order may be granted without notice to restrain either or both parties from contacting, threatening, or physically abusing each other, notwithstanding that a complaint for annulment, divorce, or separation has not been filed. The order may be granted to any person who, at the time the order is granted, is a family or household member as defined in section 586-1 or who filed a petition on behalf of a family or household member. The order shall enjoin the respondent or person to be restrained from performing any combination of the following acts:

(1) Contacting, threatening, or physically abusing the protected party;

(2) Contacting, threatening, or physically abusing any person residing at the protected party's residence; or

(3) Entering or visiting the protected party's residence.

(b) For any person who is alleged to be a family or household member by virtue of a dating relationship, the court may consider the following factors in determining whether a dating relationship exists:

(1) The length of the relationship;

(2) The nature of the relationship; and

(3) The frequency of the interaction between the parties.

(c) The family court judge may issue the ex parte temporary restraining order orally, if the person being restrained is present in court. The order shall state that there is probable cause to believe that a past act or acts of abuse have occurred, or that threats of abuse make it probable that acts of abuse may be imminent. The order further shall state that the temporary restraining order is necessary for the purposes of: preventing acts of abuse or preventing a recurrence of actual domestic abuse; and ensuring a period of separation of the parties involved. The order shall describe in reasonable detail the act or acts sought to be restrained. Where necessary, the order may require either or both of the parties involved to leave the premises during the period of the order, and also may restrain the party or parties to whom it is directed from contacting, threatening, or physically abusing the applicant's family or household members. The order shall not only be binding upon the parties to the action, but also upon their officers, agents, servants, employees, attorneys, or any other persons in active concert or participation with them. The order shall enjoin the respondent or person to be restrained from performing any combination of the following acts:

(1) Contacting, threatening, or physically abusing the protected party;

(2) Contacting, threatening, or physically abusing any person residing at the protected party's residence; or

(3) Entering or visiting the protected party's residence.

(d) When a temporary restraining order is granted and the respondent or person to be restrained knows of the order, a knowing or intentional violation of the restraining order is a misdemeanor. A person convicted under this section shall undergo domestic violence intervention at any available domestic violence program as ordered by the court. The court additionally shall sentence a person convicted under this section as follows:

(1) For a first conviction for violation of the temporary restraining order, the person shall serve a mandatory minimum jail sentence of forty-eight hours and be fined not less than $150 nor more than $500; provided that the court shall not sentence a defendant to pay a fine unless the defendant is or will be able to pay the fine; and

(2) For the second and any subsequent conviction for violation of the temporary restraining order, the person shall serve a mandatory minimum jail sentence of thirty days and be fined not less than $250 nor more than $1,000; provided that the court shall not sentence a defendant to pay a fine unless the defendant is or will be able to pay the fine.

Upon conviction and sentencing of the defendant, the court shall order that the defendant immediately be incarcerated to serve the mandatory minimum sentence imposed; provided that the defendant may be admitted to bail pending appeal pursuant to chapter 804. The court may stay the imposition of the sentence if special circumstances exist.

The court may suspend any jail sentence, except for the mandatory sentences under paragraphs (1) and (2), upon condition that the defendant remain alcohol and drug-free, conviction-free, or complete court-ordered assessments or intervention. Nothing in this section shall be construed as limiting the discretion of the judge to impose additional sanctions authorized in sentencing for a misdemeanor.

(e) Any fines collected pursuant to subsection (d) shall be deposited into the spouse and child abuse special account established under section 601-3.6. [L 1982, c 123, pt of §2; am L 1985, c 136, §2; am L 1987, c 315, §2; am L 1992, c 290, §2; am L 1998, c 172, §2; am L 1999, c 200, §1; am L 2000, c 186, §4] 

§586-5 Period of order; hearing.

(a) A temporary restraining order granted pursuant to this chapter shall remain in effect at the discretion of the court, for a period not to exceed ninety days from the date the order is granted.

(b) On the earliest date that the business of the court will permit, but no later than fifteen days from the date the temporary restraining order is granted, the court, after giving due notice to all parties, shall hold a hearing on the application requiring cause to be shown why the order should not continue. In the event that service has not been effected, the court may set a new date for the hearing; provided that the date shall not exceed ninety days from the date the temporary restraining order was granted. All parties shall be present at the hearing and may be represented by counsel.

The protective order may include all orders stated in the temporary restraining order and may provide further relief, as the court deems necessary to prevent domestic abuse or a recurrence of abuse, including orders establishing temporary visitation with regard to minor children of the parties and orders to either or both parties to participate in domestic violence intervention. [L 1982, c 123, pt of §2; am L 1983, c 186, §1; am L 1987, c 315, §3; am L 1992, c 290, §3; am L 1998, c 172, §3]

§586-5.5 Protective order; additional orders.

(a) If after hearing all relevant evidence, the court finds that the respondent has failed to show cause why the order should not be continued and that a protective order is necessary to prevent domestic abuse or a recurrence of abuse, the court may order that a protective order be issued for such further period as the court deems appropriate, not to exceed three years from the date the protective order is granted.

The protective order may include all orders stated in the temporary restraining order and may provide for further relief as the court deems necessary to prevent domestic abuse or a recurrence of abuse, including orders establishing temporary visitation and custody with regard to minor children of the parties and orders to either or both parties to participate in domestic violence intervention services. If the court finds that the party meets the requirements under section 334-59(a)(2), the court further may order that the party be taken to the nearest facility for emergency examination and treatment.

(b) A protective order may be extended for a period not to exceed three years from the expiration of the preceding protective order. Upon application by a person or agency capable of petitioning under section 586-3, the court shall hold a hearing to determine whether the protective order should be extended. In making a determination, the court shall consider evidence of abuse and threats of abuse that occurred prior to the initial restraining order and whether good cause exists to extend the protective order.

The extended protective order may include all orders stated in the preceding restraining order and may provide such further relief as the court deems necessary to prevent domestic abuse or a recurrence of abuse, including orders establishing temporary visitation and custody with regard to minor children of the parties and orders to either or both parties to participate in domestic violence intervention services. The court may terminate the extended protective order at any time with the mutual consent of the parties. [L 1987, c 315, §4; am L 1991, c 235, §2; am L 1996, c 199, §1; am L 1998, c 172, §4]

§586-5.6 Effective date.

The temporary restraining order shall be effective as of the date of signing and filing; provided that if a temporary restraining order is granted orally in the presence of all the parties and the court determines that each of the parties understands the order and its conditions, if any, then the order shall be effective as of the date it is orally stated on the record by the court until further order of the court. Protective orders orally stated by the court on the record shall be effective as of the date of the hearing until further order of the court; provided that all oral protective orders shall be reduced to writing and issued forthwith. The judiciary shall provide forms which will enable the court to issue all temporary restraining orders forthwith. [L 1987, c 315, §6; am L 1992, c 290, §4]

§586-6 Notice of order.

Any order issued under this chapter shall either be personally served upon the respondent, or served by certified mail, unless the respondent was present at the hearing in which case the respondent shall be deemed to have notice of the order. A filed copy of each order issued under this chapter shall be served by regular mail upon the chief of police of each county. [L 1982, c 123, pt of §2; am L 1987, c 315, §5; am L 1992, c 290, §5; am L 1993, c 215, §2; am L 1998, c 172, §5]

[§586-7] Assistance of police in service or execution.

When an order is issued under this chapter upon request of the petitioner, the court may order the police department to serve the order and related documents upon respondent and to accompany the petitioner and assist in placing the petitioner in possession of the dwelling or residence. [L 1982, c 123, pt of §2]

[§586-8] Right to apply for relief.

(a) A person's right to apply for relief shall not be affected by the person's leaving the residence or household to avoid abuse.

(b) The court shall not require security or bond of any party unless it deems [it] necessary in exceptional cases. [L 1982, c 123, pt of §2]

[§586-9] Modification of order.

Upon application, notice to all parties, and hearing, the court may modify the terms of an existing order for protection. [L 1982, c 123, pt of §2]

§586-10 Copy to law enforcement agency.

(a) Any order for protection granted pursuant to this chapter shall be transmitted by the clerk of the court within twenty-four hours to the appropriate county police department.

(b) Each county police department shall make available to other law enforcement officers in the same county, through a system for verification, information as to the existence and status of any order for protection issued pursuant to this chapter. [L 1982, c 123, pt of §2; am L 2000, c 186, §5]

§586-10.5 Reports by the department of human services.

In cases where there are allegations of domestic abuse involving a family or household member who is a minor or an incapacitated person as defined in section 560:5-101(2), the employee or appropriate nonjudicial agency designated by the family court to assist the petitioner shall report the matter to the department of human services, as required under chapters 350 and 587, and shall further notify the department of the granting of the temporary restraining order and of the hearing date. The department of human services shall provide the family court with an oral or written report of the investigation's progress on or before the hearing date. [L 1987, c 315, §7; am L 1988, c 141, §58; am L 1991, c 141, §3; am L 2000, c 186, §6]

§586-11 Violation of an order for protection.

(a) Whenever an order for protection is granted pursuant to this chapter, a respondent or person to be restrained who knowingly or intentionally violates the order for protection is guilty of a misdemeanor. A person convicted under this section shall undergo domestic violence intervention at any available domestic violence program as ordered by the court. The court additionally shall sentence a person convicted under this section as follows:

(1) For a first conviction for violation of the order for protection:

(A) That is in the nature of non-domestic abuse, the person may be sentenced to a jail sentence of forty-eight hours and be fined not more than $150; provided that the court shall not sentence a defendant to pay a fine unless the defendant is or will be able to pay the fine;

(B) That is in the nature of domestic abuse, the person shall be sentenced to a mandatory minimum jail sentence of not less than forty-eight hours and be fined not less than $150 nor more than $500; provided that the court shall not sentence a defendant to pay a fine unless the defendant is or will be able to pay the fine;

(2) For a second conviction for violation of the order for protection:

(A) That is in the nature of non-domestic abuse, and occurs after a first conviction for violation of the same order that was in the nature of non-domestic abuse, the person shall be sentenced to a mandatory minimum jail sentence of not less than forty-eight hours and be fined not more than $250; provided that the court shall not sentence a defendant to pay a fine unless the defendant is or will be able to pay the fine;

(B) That is in the nature of domestic abuse, and occurs after a first conviction for violation of the same order that was in the nature of domestic abuse, the person shall be sentenced to a mandatory minimum jail sentence of not less than thirty days and be fined not less than $250 nor more than $1,000; provided that the court shall not sentence a defendant to pay a fine unless the defendant is or will be able to pay the fine;

(C) That is in the nature of non-domestic abuse, and occurs after a first conviction for violation of the same order that was in the nature of domestic abuse, the person shall be sentenced to a mandatory minimum jail sentence of not less than forty-eight hours and be fined not more than $250; provided that the court shall not sentence a defendant to pay a fine unless the defendant is or will be able to pay the fine;

(D) That is in the nature of domestic abuse, and occurs after a first conviction for violation of the same order that is in the nature of non-domestic abuse, the person shall be sentenced to a mandatory minimum jail sentence of not less than forty-eight hours and be fined not more than $150; provided that the court shall not sentence a defendant to pay a fine unless the defendant is or will be able to pay the fine;

(3) For any subsequent violation that occurs after a second conviction for violation of the same order for protection, the person shall be sentenced to a mandatory minimum jail sentence of not less than thirty days and be fined not less than $250 nor more than $1,000; provided that the court shall not sentence a defendant to pay a fine unless the defendant is or will be able to pay the fine.

Upon conviction and sentencing of the defendant, the court shall order that the defendant immediately be incarcerated to serve the mandatory minimum sentence imposed; provided that the defendant may be admitted to bail pending appeal pursuant to chapter 804. The court may stay the imposition of the sentence if special circumstances exist.

The court may suspend any jail sentence under subparagraphs (1)(A) and (2)(C), upon condition that the defendant remain alcohol and drug-free, conviction-free, or complete court-ordered assessments or intervention. Nothing in this section shall be construed as limiting the discretion of the judge to impose additional sanctions authorized in sentencing for a misdemeanor offense. All remedies for the enforcement of judgments shall apply to this chapter.

(b) Any fines collected pursuant to subsection (a) shall be deposited into the spouse and child abuse special account established under section 601-3.6. [L 1982, c 123, pt of §2; am L 1992, c 290, §6; am L 1993, c 229, §1; am L 1999, c 200, §2]

Part II. Foreign Protective Orders

[§586-21] Foreign protective orders.

Any valid protective order, as defined in 18 U.S.C. §2266, issued by a court or tribunal of another state, tribe, or territory of the United States shall be accorded full faith and credit by the courts of this State and shall be enforced as if it were an order issued in this State. [L 2000, c 186, pt of §7]

[§586-22] Valid protective order.

(a) A protective order issued by another state, tribe, or territory shall be considered valid if:

(1) The issuing court or tribunal had jurisdiction over the parties and matter under the laws of the state, tribe, or territory; and

(2) The respondent received notice and an opportunity to be heard before the foreign protective order was issued; provided that, in the case of an ex parte order, notice and opportunity to be heard were provided within a reasonable period of time, sufficient to protect the respondent's right to due process.

(b) Failure to provide reasonable notice and opportunity to be heard shall be an affirmative defense to any charge or process filed seeking enforcement of an out-of-state protective order. [L 2000, c 186, pt of §7]

[§586-23] Filing of foreign protective order.

A certified copy of a foreign protective order, accompanied by a sworn affidavit that the order remains in effect and has not been vacated or modified, may be filed with the court; provided that no filing fee shall be required. Filing of a foreign protective order with the court shall not be required for enforcement of the foreign protective order in this State. [L 2000, c 186, pt of 7]

[§586-24] Enforcement of foreign protective orders.

(a) A law enforcement officer shall enforce a foreign protective order that appears to be authentic on its face. For purposes of this section, "authentic on its face" means the protective order contains the names of both parties and remains in effect.

(b) If a paper copy of the order is unavailable and the officer verifies the existence and status of the order through a national or state centralized registry for protective orders or through communication with appropriate authorities in the issuing state, tribe, or territory, the officer shall enforce the order.

(c) A law enforcement officer shall make an arrest for a violation of a foreign protective order in the same manner as for violations of protective orders issued in this State. [L 2000, c 186, pt of §7]

[§586-25] Good faith immunity.

Any law enforcement officer acting in good faith shall be immune from civil or criminal liability in any action arising in connection with enforcement of a valid foreign protective order pursuant to this part. [L 2000, c 186, pt of §7]

[§586-26] Penalties.

Any violation of a foreign protective order entitled to full faith and credit under this part is a misdemeanor. The court shall sentence a person convicted under this section as follows:

(1) For a first conviction for violation of the protective order, the person shall serve a mandatory minimum jail sentence of forty-eight hours but not more than thirty days and be fined not less than $150 nor more than $500; provided that the court shall not sentence a defendant to pay a fine unless the defendant is or will be able to pay the fine; and

(2) For a second and any subsequent conviction for violation of the protective order, the person shall serve a mandatory minimum jail sentence of thirty days and be fined not less than $250 nor more than $1,000; provided that the court shall not sentence a defendant to pay a fine unless the defendant is or will be able to pay the fine.

Upon conviction and sentencing of the defendant, the court shall order that the defendant immediately be incarcerated to serve the mandatory minimum sentence imposed; provided that the defendant may be admitted to bail pending appeal pursuant to chapter 804. The court may stay the imposition of the sentence if special circumstances exist. [L 2000, c 186, pt of §7]

CHAPTER 604

DISTRICT COURTS

§604-10.5 Power to enjoin and temporarily restrain harassment.

(a) For the purposes of this section:

"Course of conduct" means a pattern of conduct composed of a series of acts over any period of time evidencing a continuity of purpose.

"Harassment" means:

(1) Physical harm, bodily injury, assault, or the threat of imminent physical harm, bodily injury, or assault; or

(2) An intentional or knowing course of conduct directed at an individual that seriously alarms or disturbs consistently or continually bothers the individual, and that serves no legitimate purpose; provided that such course of conduct would cause a reasonable person to suffer emotional distress.

(b) The district courts shall have power to enjoin or prohibit or temporarily restrain harassment.

(c) Any person who has been subjected to harassment may petition the district court of the district in which the petitioner resides for a temporary restraining order and an injunction from further harassment.

(d) A petition for relief from harassment shall be in writing and shall allege that a past act or acts of harassment may have occurred, or that threats of harassment make it probable that acts of harassment may be imminent; and shall be accompanied by an affidavit made under oath or statement made under penalty of perjury stating the specific facts and circumstances from which relief is sought.

(e) Upon petition to a district court under this section, the court may temporarily restrain the person or persons named in the petition from harassing the petitioner upon a determination that there is probable cause to believe that a past act or acts of harassment have occurred or that a threat or threats of harassment may be imminent. The court may issue an ex parte temporary restraining order either in writing or orally; provided that oral orders shall be reduced to writing by the close of the next court day following oral issuance.

(f) A temporary restraining order that is granted under this section shall remain in effect at the discretion of the court for a period not to exceed ninety days from the date the order is granted. A hearing on the petition to enjoin harassment shall be held within fifteen days after the temporary restraining order is granted. In the event that service of the temporary restraining order has not been effected before the date of the hearing on the petition to enjoin, the court may set a new date for the hearing; provided that the new date shall not exceed ninety days from the date the temporary restraining order was granted.

The parties named in the petition may file or give oral responses explaining, excusing, justifying, or denying the alleged act or acts of harassment. The court shall receive all evidence that is relevant at the hearing, and may make independent inquiry.

If the court finds by clear and convincing evidence that harassment as defined in paragraph (1) of that definition exists, it may enjoin for no more than three years further harassment of the petitioner, or that harassment as defined in paragraph (2) of that definition exists, it shall enjoin for no more than three years further harassment of the petitioner; provided that this paragraph shall not prohibit the court from issuing other injunctions against the named parties even if the time to which the injunction applies exceeds a total of three years.

Any order issued under this section shall be served upon the respondent. For the purposes of this section, "served" shall mean actual personal service, service by certified mail, or proof that the respondent was present at the hearing in which the court orally issued the injunction.

Where service of a restraining order or injunction has been made or where the respondent is deemed to have received notice of a restraining order or injunction order, any knowing or intentional violation of the restraining order or injunction order shall subject the respondent to the provisions in subsection (h).

Any order issued shall be transmitted to the chief of police of the county in which the order is issued by way of regular mail, facsimile transmission, or other similar means of transmission.

(g) The court may grant the prevailing party in an action brought under this section, costs and fees, including attorney's fees.

(h) A knowing or intentional violation of a restraining order or injunction issued pursuant to this section is a misdemeanor. The court shall sentence a violator to appropriate counseling and shall sentence a person convicted under this section as follows:

(1) For a violation of an injunction or restraining order that occurs after a conviction for a violation of the same injunction or restraining order, a violator shall be sentenced to a mandatory minimum jail sentence of not less than forty-eight hours; and

(2) For any subsequent violation that occurs after a second conviction for violation of the same injunction or restraining order, the person shall be sentenced to a mandatory minimum jail sentence of not less than thirty days.

The court may suspend any jail sentence, except for the mandatory sentences under paragraphs (1) and (2), upon appropriate conditions, such as that the defendant remain alcohol and drug-free, conviction-free, or complete court-ordered assessments or counseling. The court may suspend the mandatory sentences under paragraphs (1) and (2) where the violation of the injunction or restraining order does not involve violence or the threat of violence. Nothing in this section shall be construed as limiting the discretion of the judge to impose additional sanctions authorized in sentencing for a misdemeanor offense.

(i) Nothing in this section shall be construed to prohibit constitutionally protected activity. [L 1986, c 69, §1; am L 1992, c 291, §1; am L 1993, c 215, §3; am L 1996, c 245, §1; am L 1999, c 143, §1]

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