Opinion ID: 870647
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: De Minimis Infraction

Text: The dismissal of a prosecution for a de minimis infraction ... is not a defense. The authority to dismiss a prosecution [as de minimis] rests in the sound discretion of the trial court. Viernes, 92 Hawai`i at 133, 988 P.2d at 198 (quoting State v. Ornellas, 79 Hawai`i 418, 420, 903 P.2d 723, 725 (App. 1995)). A court abuses its discretion if it clearly exceeded the bounds of reason or disregarded rules or principles of law or practice to the substantial detriment of a party litigant. State v. Oughterson, 99 Hawai`i 244, 253, 54 P.3d 415, 424 (2002) (quoting State v. Balanza, 93 Hawai`i 279, 283, 1 P.3d 281, 285 (2000)) (internal quotation marks and brackets omitted).