Opinion ID: 1111406
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Further Approaches to the Right to Privacy

Text: Although, to date, our cases have recognized two approaches to the right to privacy, this does not mean that additional approaches cannot be adopted in the future. In Mueller, we were careful to note that the outer limits of this aspect of privacy [ i.e., the personal autonomy prong] have not been marked[.] Mueller, 66 Haw. at 627, 671 P.2d at 1359. The approach taken in Mueller and Baehr was based on federal cases such as Griswold, Eisenstadt, and Roe. Similarly, the approach taken in Kam was based on Stanley, another federal case. Nevertheless, we are not limited to the federal interpretation of constitutional rights and have often extended the protections of the Hawai`i Constitution beyond those of the United States Constitution. See, e.g., State v. Bowe, 77 Hawai`i 51, 57, 881 P.2d 538, 544 (1994); State v. Lessary, 75 Haw. 446, 453-57, 865 P.2d 150, 154-55 (1994); State v. Quino, 74 Haw. 161, 170, 840 P.2d 358, 362, reconsideration denied, 74 Haw. 650, 843 P.2d 144 (1992), cert. denied, 507 U.S. 1031, 113 S.Ct. 1849, 123 L.Ed.2d 472 (1993); State v. Kaluna, 55 Haw. 361, 369, 520 P.2d 51, 58-59 (1974); State v. Texeira, 50 Haw. 138, 142 n. 2, 433 P.2d 593, 597 n. 2 (1967). As the ultimate judicial tribunal with final, unreviewable authority to interpret and enforce the Hawaii Constitution, we are free to give broader privacy protection than that given by the federal constitution. Kam, 69 Haw. at 491, 748 P.2d at 377. Moreover, unlike the federal constitution, our state constitution contains a specific provision expressly establishing the right to privacy as a constitutional right. Thus, our case law and the text of our constitution appear to invite this court to look beyond the federal standards in interpreting the right to privacy. Consequently, applying the Mueller/Baehr approach and the Stanley/Kam approach to the facts of this case is simply an initial step in the analysis. The question remains whether we should adopt another, completely new approach not based on federal case law. The development of new approaches to the right to privacy will, of course, take place on a case-by-case basis, as different factual situations arise and new legal standards are formulated. [7] However, regardless of the direction in which our privacy jurisprudence evolves, it is clear, at present, that our right to privacy does not extend to the possession and use of marijuana. [W]e have long recognized that the Hawai`i Constitution must be construed with due regard to the intent of the framers and the people adopting it, and that the fundamental principle in interpreting a constitutional provision is to give effect to that intent. Convention Center Authority v. Anzai, 78 Hawai`i 157, 167, 890 P.2d 1197, 1207 (1995) (internal quotation marks and citations omitted). Based on the committee reports and debates in the Constitutional Convention, we believe that the delegates adopting the privacy provision did not intend to decriminalize the possession and use of contraband drugs. Nothing in the committee reports indicates that the delegates intended such a drastic step as the decriminalization of drugs for personal consumption. If the delegates had intended such a result, surely they would have placed an explicit reference in the committee reports. Instead, the committee reports contain no mention of the legalization of illicit drugs. See Stand. Comm. Rep. No. 69, in 1 Proceedings, at 674-76; Comm. Whole Rep. No. 15, in 1 Proceedings, at 1023-24. A close reading of the convention debates reveals a sincere concern, perhaps even a strong fear, among the delegates that an express right to privacy might further impede the battle against illegal drugs. Now, what alarms me is that by putting in the language as it is right nowthat the right to privacy is recognized and shall not be infringed without the showing of a compelling state interestgoes beyond our present statutory law and would in fact hinder law enforcement.... The result would then be that it would be virtually impossible, as I can see it, to stop criminal activity conducted in what can be considered a dwelling.... For instance, if a person were to manufacture cocaine, angel dust or what have you, if it's for the purpose of manufacturing for personal use,... I don't see how anyone can say that there's a compelling state interest to go in there. This language seems to say that it's all right for a person to do anything he wants as long as we cannot show that someone else will be affected. 2 Proceedings, at 629-30 (Delegate Tam). In response, Delegate Hino reassured Delegate Tam that the privacy provision was not intended to hinder law enforcement or protect criminals. I'd like to allay the fears of law enforcement officials and people connected with law enforcement that this provision will make it a little more difficult for the law to be enforced. This factor was recognized during our committee's deliberations .... [W]e proposed that this privacy provision be put in a separate section, of and by itself, to show that it was not the intent of the committee to upset any kind of precedents on criminal justice or law enforcement procedures; that this privacy provision would refer to and protect the rights of noncriminals. Id. at 630 (Delegate Hino) (emphasis added). Other delegates raised similar concerns: I feel that the greatest benefit in the long run in Hawaii shall be from the criminal element .... I honestly feel from my experience that this right to privacy is a protective device for these so-called professional criminals, who have become so sophisticated in their techniques and their planning.... And this type of right to privacy, as good as it is for all of us, somehow will have an insidious effect on a very serious concern in Hawaii todaythe rising tide of crime. Id. at 632 (Delegate Chung). [I]f, as the previous delegate has said, smoking marijuana was one of the main reasons this has been proposed, [8] then I am in favor of deleting the committee report that portion of that.... The cops are having a hard enough time enforcing the state laws. Why make it harder for them and put more restrictions upon them, especially when crime today is the number one concern of the citizens of this State. I feel the present language in the Constitution is adequate to protect the rights of the individual. Let's not make it any more difficult for law enforcement people to do their job. Id. at 641 (Delegate Kojima). However, these concerns were allayed by the delegates in favor of the privacy provision, who asserted that the provision would not legalize the use of illicit drugs. I don't think this amendment will have that much to do with promoting organized crime or drugs. I voted in favor of the privacy amendment previously, and not for the reasons that Delegate Hale evidently introduced it.... I really don't see the previous discussion [about the right to privacy promoting organized crime and drugs] applying in this situation as far as crime is concerned. 1 Proceedings, at 363 (Delegate O'Toole). Furthermore, Delegate Taira ... emphasized that he saw nothing in the privacy provision that would stimulate or encourage the growth of organized crime or the use of drugs, as had been alluded. If that were so, he added, he would be very strongly against the provision. Id. Finally: I've heard a lot of talk about what this amendment could do, what it cannot do, its redundancy, etc. I am a lay person, never having graduated from college. I live with my people, of all ethnic groups, we live together. And this is easier to see, that the right of the people to privacy shall be recognized. It doesn't say that we encourage underworld activity, it doesn't say anything about smoking pakalolo [9] in your bedroom, it just says that the right of the people to privacy is recognized.... Id. at 365 (Delegate De Soto). Thus, the delegates who spoke in favor of the privacy provision did so based on their understanding that the right to privacy would neither hinder law enforcement nor further criminal activity. Inasmuch as we are convinced that the delegates who adopted the privacy provision did not intend to legalize contraband drugs, we also believe that the voters who later ratified the privacy provision did not intend such a result. Therefore, while this court might extend the scope of article I, section 6 in the future by adopting new standards and applying these standards to new situations, it is clear, at present, that the right to privacy in the Hawai`i Constitution does not extend to the possession and use of marijuana for recreational purposes.