Question: How does a person take care of a traffic or criminal warrant? For example: A motorist gets cited for no insurance, misses court, and then a traffic warrant is issued. If the person goes to the courthouse, can they pay the warrant there, or must they go to the police station and get arrested? Do the same rules apply to a criminal warrant, too? I was told conflicting information on how people can take care of their warrant. Any clarification is appreciated.
Answer: A warrant of arrest issued when someone fails to appear in court as ordered is commonly known as a bench warrant. Tammy Mori, director of communications for the state Judiciary, described three basic ways to clear such warrants, and said the methods apply both to traffic and criminal cases.
One approach is to turn yourself in. To confirm whether you have an active warrant, or to arrange to turn yourself in, call 587-3632, which is the warrants section of the Sheriff Division of the state Department of Public Safety.
Another option is to post bail, at which point your warrant will be recalled and a court date will be set, Mori said.
Last, you may petition the court to recall the warrant, but should go that route only if you have a valid reason for missing your original court date.
Mori said that individuals like you can file a motion pro se (on their own behalf) by writing a letter to the court or filing a motion to recall the bench warrant, with or without the help of an attorney. A judge will review the motion and use his or her discretion to grant or deny the motion, she said.
Q: Can a temporary restraining order include pets, too?
A: Yes. No-contact orders intended to protect parties involved in domestic disputes extend to the household’s animals, under state law.
Hawaii Revised Statutes Chapter 586, Section 4, states that a Family Court judge may grant an ex parte temporary restraining order without notice to restrain either or both parties involved in the dispute from contacting, threatening or physically abusing the protected party; contacting, threatening or physically abusing any person residing at the protected party’s residence; or entering or visiting the protected party’s residence.
“The ex parte temporary restraining order may also enjoin or restrain both of the parties from taking, concealing, removing, threatening, physically abusing, or otherwise disposing of any animal identified to the court as belonging to a household, until further order of the court,” according to the law.
The Latin phrase “ex parte” means “on one side only; by or for one party,” and describes an action done for the benefit of only one party, without the participation of the other. Ex parte judicial proceedings are allowed when notifying both parties would subject one party to irreparable harm, as in cases of domestic violence.
Auwe
Auwe to the driver of a black SUV who ran a stop sign at Oahu Avenue and Manoa Road at 9 a.m. Monday and then proceeded to run a red light at Punahou Street and Wilder Avenue. How do we report this type of dangerous behavior, especially since we don’t want to get on a cellphone while driving? — Concerned motorist
Mahalo
Mahalo to the nursing staff at the Queen’s Medical Center in Honolulu. I was flat on my back in the hospital for months, and the only way I got through it all was due to the wonderful and professional care I received from the nursing staff. These nurses gave me around-the-clock care, always with a smile on their faces. … It was a long struggle, but thanks to the care and grace of these people, I made a full recovery! — Grateful former patient
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