(a) A person guilty of contempt under this chapter shall be fined not more than $1,000 or imprisoned not more than one year or both.

Terms Used In Hawaii Revised Statutes 21-15

  • Evidence: Information presented in testimony or in documents that is used to persuade the fact finder (judge or jury) to decide the case for one side or the other.
  • Hearing: means any meeting in the course of an investigatory proceeding, other than a preliminary conference or interview at which no testimony is taken under oath, conducted by an investigating committee for the purpose of taking testimony or receiving other evidence. See Hawaii Revised Statutes 21-2
  • Investigating committee: means any of the following which are authorized to compel the attendance and testimony of witnesses or the production of books, records, papers, and documents for the purpose of securing information on a specific subject for the use of the legislature:

    (1) A standing or special or select committee or committee of the whole of either house of the legislature;
    (2) A joint committee of both houses;
    (3) An authorized subcommittee of a legislative committee; and
    (4) Any body created by law, the members of which may include nonlegislators. See Hawaii Revised Statutes 21-2
  • Subpoena: A command to a witness to appear and give testimony.
  • Subpoena duces tecum: A command to a witness to produce documents.
  • Testify: Answer questions in court.
  • Trial: A hearing that takes place when the defendant pleads "not guilty" and witnesses are required to come to court to give evidence.
(b) If any investigating committee fails in any material respect to comply with the requirements of this chapter, any person subject to a subpoena or a subpoena duces tecum who is injured by the failure shall be relieved of any requirement to attend the hearing for which the subpoena was issued or, if present, to testify or produce evidence therein; and the failure shall be a complete defense in any proceeding against the person for contempt or other punishment.
(c) Any person other than the witness concerned or the witness’ counsel who violates subsection 21-12(g) or (h) shall be fined not more than $500 or imprisoned not more than six months, or both. The attorney general, on the attorney general’s own motion or on the application of any person claiming to have been injured or prejudiced by an unauthorized disclosure may institute proceedings for trial of the issue and imposition of the penalties provided herein. Nothing in this subsection shall limit any power which the legislature or either house thereof may have to discipline a member or employee or to impose a penalty in the absence of action by a prosecuting officer or court.

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