In the state of Hawaii felonies are classified in classes of A, B, or
C. Class A are the most serious of crimes committed in this state.
Class B felonies are the second most serious of committed criminal
offenses. Class C felony offenses are considered as the least severe.
The following are offenses listed according to each classification:
Class A Felonies
These felonies are considered to be crimes of the most serious nature.
Offenses considered to be committed in the first degree are crimes
classified as premeditated and of the offenders free will. In Hawaii,
unlike other states, classifies manslaughter in the same category as
murder when the crime is proven to be intentional. Class A felonies are
punishable with a prison sentence of a minimum of 20 years to maximum
of life. These felonies are subject to fines of no more than $50,000.
The following offenses are considered
class A felonies:
Murder- 1st degree
Manslaughter- 1st degree
Kidnapping- 1st degree
Drug Related Crimes- 1st degree
Sex Related Crimes- 1st degree
Rape- 1st degree
Arson- 1st degree
Class B Felonies
These felonies are considered the second most serious of criminal
offenses in the state of Hawaii. These offenses are those that did not
result in the death of the victim. This implies that the offenses are
not as severe of an offense as those classified as class A felonies.
Class B felonies are punishable with a prison sentence of a minimum of
2 years and a maximum of 20 years. These felonies are subject to fines
of no more than $25,000.
The following offenses are considered
class B felonies:
Enticing of a minor via computer and/or Internet -1st degree.
Sexual Assault- 2nd degree
Promotion of prostitution- 1st degree
Burglary
Possession of at least two pounds of marijuana.
Arson- 2nd degree
Driving Under the Influence
Fraud (Financial) involving elderly and/or disabled (mentally and
physically).
Robbery
Class C Felonies
These felonies are considered the least serious of criminal offenses in
the state of Hawaii. A portion of these offenses are not considered to
be willful or premeditated. For instance negligent homicide in the
state of Hawaii is the same basic offense as involuntary manslaughter
usually resulting from circumstances beyond the offenders control.
Class C felonies are punishable with a prison sentence of a maximum of
5 years. These felonies are subject to fines of no more than $10,000.
The following offenses are considered
class B felonies:
Possession and/or usage of explosives
Placing electronic fishing devices and/or poisonous substances in state
water ways (Rivers, lakes, creeks, oceans).
Fraud
Negliegent Homicide- 2nd degree
Sexual Assault- 3rd degree
Criminal property damage- 3rd degree
Theft- 2nd degree
Obstruction of justice
Expungement
Individuals convicted of class C felonies in the state of Hawaii are
eligible to petition the court for expungement of criminal records.
Individuals convicted of class A or B felonies are not eligible for
expungement. Once records are expunged they are only available for
viewing by government, state, or federal officials who have first
obtained a court order to do so. The issuance of this court order is
based on any recent and/or additional crimes commited by the accused to
be used in future criminal proceedings.