§704-407  Special hearing following commitment or release on conditions.  (1)  At any time after commitment as provided in § 704 406, the defendant or the defendant’s counsel or the director of health may apply for a special post-commitment or post-release hearing.  If the application is made by or on behalf of a defendant not represented by counsel, the defendant shall be afforded a reasonable opportunity to obtain counsel, and if the defendant lacks funds to do so, counsel shall be assigned by the court.  The application shall be granted only if the counsel for the defendant satisfies the court by affidavit or otherwise that, as an attorney, the counsel has reasonable grounds for a good faith belief that the counsel’s client has an objection based upon legal grounds to the charge.

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Terms Used In Hawaii Revised Statutes 704-407

  • Affidavit: A written statement of facts confirmed by the oath of the party making it, before a notary or officer having authority to administer oaths.
  • Defendant: In a civil suit, the person complained against; in a criminal case, the person accused of the crime.
  • 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.
  • Indictment: The formal charge issued by a grand jury stating that there is enough evidence that the defendant committed the crime to justify having a trial; it is used primarily for felonies.

     (2)  If the motion for a special post-commitment or post release hearing is granted, the hearing shall be by the court without a jury.  No evidence shall be offered at the hearing by either party on the issue of physical or mental disease, disorder, or defect as a defense to, or in mitigation of, the offense charged.

     (3)  After the hearing, the court shall rule on any legal objection raised by the application and, in an appropriate case, may quash the indictment or other charge, find it to be defective or insufficient, or otherwise terminate the proceedings on the law.  Unless all defects in the proceedings are promptly cured, the court shall terminate the commitment or release ordered under § 704-406 and:

     (a)  Order the defendant to be discharged;

     (b)  Subject to § 334-60.2 regarding involuntary hospitalization criteria, order the defendant to be committed to the custody of the director of health to be placed in an appropriate institution for detention, care, and treatment; or

     (c)  Subject to § 334-121 regarding assisted community treatment criteria, order the defendant to be released on conditions as the court deems necessary.