Opinion ID: 870997
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: HPD Properly Sought Redress From The October 8, 2009 Order By Mandamus.

Text: The right of appeal in a criminal case is purely statutory and exists only when given by some constitutional or statutory provision. Grattafiori v. State, 79 Hawai`i 10, 13, 897 P.2d 937, 940 (1995). In circuit court criminal cases, appeals are authorized by HRS §§ 641-11 (Supp.2009), 641-13 (Supp.2009), and 641-17 (Supp.2009). HRS § 641-11 provides that [a]ny party aggrieved by the judgment of a circuit court in a criminal matter may appeal to the intermediate appellate court[.] HRS § 641-13 provides that [a]n appeal may be taken by and on behalf of the State from the district or circuit courts to the intermediate appellate court ... in all criminal matters, in [ten enumerated] instances. HRS § 641-17 provides that an appeal in a criminal matter may be allowed to a defendant from the circuit court to the intermediate appellate court ... from a decision denying a motion to dismiss or from other interlocutory orders, decisions, or judgments, whenever the judge in the judge's discretion may think the same advisable for a more speedy termination of the case. Criminal No. 07-1-1315 is a circuit court criminal matter filed by plaintiff State of Hawai`i against defendant Obed K. Kay. HPD is not a party to the case. As a nonparty, HPD is not authorized to appeal the respondent judge's October 8, 2009 order pursuant to HRS § 641-11 if judgment is entered against defendant Kay. HPD is also not authorized to appeal the October 8, 2009 order pursuant to the interlocutory appeal statute for defendants, HRS § 641-17, or pursuant to the appeal statute for the prosecution, HRS § 641-13. Having no remedy by way of appeal, HPD properly sought redress from the October 8, 2009 order by mandamus. Concurrence by ACOBA, J. I concur in the result only.