Contains cases files from 1893 to 1899 numbered 1 through 1097; and from 1896 to 1904 numbered 1 through 384. Case files 1 through 384 (Old series) have not been indexed.
Criminal proceedings document the function of the circuit court to dispense justice to individuals accused of committing offenses against the government. A crime or public offense is an act committed or omitted in violation of a law forbidding or commanding it. Criminal proceedings were taken in the courts against persons charged with some violation of the criminal law. Criminal offenses include the following: murder, manslaughter, treason, dueling, assault and battery, kidnapping, unlawful imprisonment, child stealing, rape, abortion, polygamy, adultery, fornication, incest, sodomy, burglary, housebreaking, robbery, larceny, violation of postal laws, embezzlement, extortion, receiving stolen goods, arson, gross cheats, malicious injuries, perjury, conspiracy, forgery, counterfeiting of coins, libel, obstructing justice, drunkenness, affray, violating Sabbath, vagrancy, riot, unlawful assembly, gaming, sale of intoxicating drinks, prostitution and cruelty to animals.
Case files may contain arrest warrants, criminal complaints, specification of the charges against the defendants, writs, indictments, subpoenas, depositions, coroner’s reports, physician’s reports, bills of costs, arraignment documents, jury selection proceedings, defendant briefs, clerk’s minutes, trial proceedings, instructions for the defendant, instructions to the jury, judgments and mittimus. Case files contain information about the crimes committed, defendants’ pleadings, verdict of the jury, and sentencing by judge. They may also contain personal information about the defendant such as place of residence and occupation. Appeals from the district or police court contain the lower court records relating to the case.
Case files from 1853 to 1900 for the districts of Hamakua, Hilo, and Puna on the island of Hawaii are filed with Third Circuit Court records.