Opinion ID: 1121420
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: The Stone and Holt Decisions

Text: Ikezawa argues that the analysis of HRPP 48(c)(6) provided in Stone would preclude the exclusion, under HRPP 48(c), of the time between the dismissal of the first charge and his subsequent indictment on the second charge. In Stone, an original charge of first degree assault was dismissed without prejudice on the prosecution's motion. Stone, 65 Haw. at 308, 651 P.2d at 486. Eighteen months later, the defendant was indicted for first degree attempted assault. Id. The defendant successfully moved to dismiss the charge pursuant to HRPP 48(b)(1). Id. In affirming the dismissal, this court stated that the six-month period had elapsed and that neither of the HRPP 48(c) exclusions were applicable. Id. at 309, 651 P.2d at 486. In Holt, an initial charge was dismissed without prejudice on the prosecutor's motion. Holt, 67 Haw. at 246, 684 P.2d at 971. Later, Holt was indicted on exactly the same charge, and the trial court granted Holt a dismissal pursuant to HRPP 48(b)(1). Id. at 246, 684 P.2d at 971-72. In reversing, this court stated that HRPP 48(c)(6) tolled the time period between the dismissal of the original charge and the new indictment. Id. The court distinguished Stone, stating that Stone had successfully argued the inapplicability of HRPP 48(c)(6) because the initial charge and the later charge were different. Id. 67 Haw. at 246-47, 684 P.2d at 972. We noted that in Stone, [the] difference [in the charges] was decisive. Id. 67 Haw. at 247, 684 P.2d at 972. Together, Stone and Holt established a clear, although erroneous, interpretation of HRPP 48(c)(6): the time period between the dismissal of a charge and the institution of a new charge was excluded only when the charges were the same. These opinions ignored the plain language of HRPP 48(c)(6) that permits tolling of the six-month period when the later charge is required to be joined with [the original] offense. According to the holdings of Stone and Holt, Ikezawa was entitled to a HRPP 48 dismissal of the refiled assault charge because the second degree assault charge was clearly different from the third degree assault charge. Therefore, Stone dictated the dismissal of the subsequent charge. Ikezawa relied on Stone and Holt in bringing his motion for dismissal on August 30, 1991. [7] Had Ikezawa foreseen that the circuit court would misapply the case law and exclude the hiatus between the dismissal of the first charge and the filing of the second charge, he could have waited until November 4, 1991, to file his motion to dismiss. By relying on Stone and filing his motion when he did, he created a 39-day exclusion under HRPP 48(c)(1) [8] that extended the last day of the critical period beyond the December 2, 1991 trial date. Thus, due to his reliance on established case law, Ikezawa lost the opportunity to have the pending charge dismissed under HRPP 48(b)(1). As we have noted, although the language of HRPP 48 is clear and unambiguous, this court gave it an erroneous interpretation in Stone and Holt. In applying HRPP 48(b)(1) to his factual situation, Ikezawa justifiably relied upon case law that established a simple test regarding the exclusion of time periods pursuant to HRPP 48(c)(6). Because the later charge was different from the initial charge, Ikezawa, relying on Stone, correctly concluded that the exclusion was inapplicable and the critical six-month period had expired.