In a letter addressed to David Ige, Senator Kurt Fevella (District 19 – ‘Ewa Beach, Ocean Pointe, ‘Ewa by Gentry, Iroquois Point, a portion of ‘Ewa Villages) requested that the governor veto House Bill 1567, HD1, SD1, CD1 relating to criminal pretrial reform.
If Governor Ige puts his signature on the bill, thus, enacting it into law, the use of monetary bail would be eliminated. Defendants could be ordered by the courts to be released on their own recognizance for traffic offenses, violations, nonviolent petty misdemeanor offenses, nonviolent misdemeanor offenses, or nonviolent class C felony offenses.
In response to “an overwhelming number of calls and texts from my constituents and residents of neighboring islands expressing strong opposition to this bill,” Senator Fevella stated that he voted against the bail reform bill at Final Reading “because I share the concerns of my constituents regarding the potential for the automatic release of a defendant for ‘nonviolent,’ but dangerous class C felony offenses,” such as:
- Burglary in the Second Degree
- Aggravated Harassment by Stalking
- Arson in the Third and Fourth Degree
- Violation of Privacy in the First and Second Degree
- Promoting Gambling in the First and Second Degree
- Promoting Pornography
- Habitual Solicitation of Prostitution
- Negligent Injury in the First and Second Degree
- Unlawful Imprisonment in the Second Degree
- Unauthorized Possession of Confidential Personal Information
- Identity Theft
In the letter to the governor, the senator expressed that he understands the bail reform bill attempts to reduce unnecessary pretrial incarceration. However, he countered that “I believe the offenses listed above are serious enough to veto this bill that establishes a blanket policy for releasing suspects without posting bail.”
“For the reasons outlined above,” Senator Fevella wrote, “I humbly ask for your serious consideration of my request to veto House Bill 1567, HD1, SD1, CD1.”