The Screening Unit was implemented for the East Hawaii Office. This unit is responsible for all screening and charging decisions for East Hawaii cases, including both felony and misdemeanor cases. They also analyze cases for plea negotiations and present appropriate cases to the Grand Jury. The benefit to the County is greater uniformity in charging and faster response to the public. More horizontal prosecution of cases is anticipated due to economic conditions and the inability to hire additional professional staff as a result of budget restrictions.
Forfeitures continue to be an uncertain source of revenue for the office.
Recent case law by the United States Supreme Court has clarified the question of whether a Double Jeopardy Claim can be recognized after administrative forfeiture. The Court decided in favor of allowing forfeitures. The Investigative Unit provides trial, pre trial and post trial investigative assistance to the deputy prosecutors. This unit also maintains a list of fugitives from Hawaii County on the FBI's National Crime Information Center computer system. The unit also works closely with the FBI and the U.S. Marshals Office in returning fugitives nationally or internationally.