HI SCR98

Requests the Hawaii Judiciary to study traffic offenses, crimes, petty misdemeanor offenses, and misdemeanor offenses that create disproportionate workload for district courts and may be appropriate for decriminalization as infractions.

Requires the Judiciary to collaborate with county Prosecuting Attorneys and the State Public Defender in conducting the study.

Directs the Judiciary to include in the study the types and number of cases adjudicated in each of the past four years.

Requires the Judiciary to report findings and recommendations to the Legislature no later than twenty days before the 2016 Regular Session convenes.

References Act 222 (1978) and Hawaii's civil violations system as examples of successful decriminalization efforts intended to streamline judicial processing and reduce unnecessary court appearances.