English
EspañolWhat can I do if the harasser violates the order?
To enforce an injunction against harassment, you would have to report the violation to the police or the court. If the harasser violates the injunction on purpose, that may be a crime and/or contempt of court. Remember, even if you think the violation is minor, you can still call the police.
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When you call the police, they will send an officer out to make a report. Show the police your injunction against harassment. If the police witness the violation or if the respondent is still in the area, they may make an arrest. The crime of violating an injunction against harassment is a misdemeanor. If the harasser is convicted, the judge may sentence him/her to appropriate counseling. If s/he is convicted more than once, s/he may have to go to jail.1
Whether or not the respondent is arrested, the police may file a report. It’s a good idea to write down the responding officers’ names and badge numbers in case you want to follow up on your report.
If the respondent wasn’t arrested – or if you’re not sure what happened – you may want to call the Prosecuting Attorney’s Victim/Witness program in your circuit as soon as possible to let them know you made a police report for a violation of an injunction against harassment.
If the respondent got arrested, you don’t need to call the Prosecuting Attorney’s Office because they will automatically get involved. However, you can contact them if you need information or have questions about what to expect.
1 Haw. Rev. Stat. § 604-10.5(i)
