Kauai County Criminal Records

Criminal records in Kauai, Hawaii, are available through several channels — from online tools to official court systems and law enforcement agencies. KauaiCourt.us allows you to search publicly available information on criminal cases related to this county. Additionally, records can be obtained through the Hawaii state court system portal, the Fifth Circuit Court Clerk's Office, and the Hawaii Criminal Justice Data Center. Below is a practical guide to searching, understanding, and requesting criminal records in Kauai.

How to Search Criminal Records in Kauai

There are several ways to find criminal records, each suitable for different situations.

Online Search

1. KauaiCourt.us — start here if you need general information on publicly available court cases in Kauai. Enter the person's name or case number.
2. eCourt Kokua — the official portal of the Hawaii court system. Through eCourt Kokua, you can view data on criminal cases in the District Court, Circuit Court, and Family (Adult) Court. Fifth Circuit cases (Kauai) are available. To search, you need: the person's full name or case number.
3. eCrim — the eCrim system allows you to search for adult conviction information in the Hawaii Criminal Justice Data Center files. The search is conducted by last name and date of birth. Results include only convictions — not arrests without a verdict.

In Person

The Circuit Court Clerk's Office in Kauai accepts requests to view court cases. Contact the criminal division clerk:

The courthouse usually has public access terminals where you can view cases from the JIMS (Judiciary Information Management System).

By Mail

A written request for copies of court documents can be sent to the Fifth Circuit Court Clerk's Office at the address above. Include the defendant's full name, case number (if known), and document type. For a state-level criminal history check, submit a request to the Hawaii Criminal Justice Data Center (HCJDC) — this is similar to a "Police Clearance."

What you need to start a search:

• The person's full name
• Date of birth (mandatory for eCrim)
• Case number (if available — speeds up the search in eCourt Kokua)

Search Kauai Criminal Cases by Case Number

A case number in the Hawaii court system has a standard format, and each part carries specific meaning. A typical number looks like this:

5CPC-XX-XXXXXXX

• 5 — district number. For Kauai, it's always "5" (Fifth Circuit).
• C — court level. "C" means Circuit Court; "D" — District Court.
• PC — case type. "PC" indicates a criminal case. Other codes: "TN" for traffic cases, "FC" for family court.
• XX — year the case was filed (two digits).
• XXXXXXX — sequential case number.

If you know the case number, enter it in the eCourt Kokua search field — the system will show the status, parties, charges, and scheduled hearings. This is the fastest way to find a specific case without sorting through namesakes.

Charges, Case Status, Hearings, and Court Results in Kauai

Each criminal case in the Fifth Circuit Court contains several key elements. Here's what each of them means.

Charges

Case Status

• Pending — the case is open, and a decision has not yet been made
• Active — the case is in the hearing stage or awaiting trial
• Disposed — the case is completed: a verdict has been rendered, the case is closed or dismissed
• Closed — all procedures are completed, including probation or appeals

Hearings

A criminal case in Kauai may have the following types of hearings scheduled:

1. Arraignment — the first court appearance where the defendant hears the charges and pleads guilty or not guilty
2. Preliminary hearing — the judge determines if there is enough evidence to proceed with the case (only for felony)
3. Pre-trial conference — parties discuss the possibility of a plea deal or prepare for trial
4. Trial — the actual court trial
5. Sentencing — sentencing after a guilty plea
6. Review hearing — checking compliance with probation conditions

Court Results

How to Request Certified Criminal Records in Kauai

Certified copies of court documents and criminal history checks are issued by different agencies depending on the type of record.

Court Records

The Fifth Circuit Court Clerk's Office issues certified copies of criminal court cases. Requests can be made in person or by mail.

What you need:

• Case number or defendant's full name
• Type of document you need
• Valid photo ID (when applying in person)
• Payment for copying and certification fees

Criminal History Record Check

HCJDC issues an official state-level criminal history check — known as a "Police Clearance." The request is submitted through the HCJDC website. Fingerprints and a completed request form are required. The result includes only adult convictions.

For online conviction checks without fingerprints, use the eCrim portal. This is a faster option but shows limited data.

Fees, Copy Costs, and Processing Times for Criminal Records in Kauai

Fees depend on the type of request and the agency processing it.

Copy fees in Hawaii courts are set according to the Hawaii Court Records Rules. HCJDC charges a separate fee for criminal history checks according to HRS §846-2.7. If you send a request by mail, include a self-addressed stamped envelope — this will speed up the response.

Basic search through eCourt Kokua is free and available 24/7, although the system may be temporarily unavailable during scheduled maintenance.