New law will help
state shut drug housesA special legal team will be set
up under the attorney general
The state attorney general can set up a special legal team to target drug houses, specifically those involved with crystal methamphetamine, or "ice," under a measure signed into law yesterday by Gov. Linda Lingle.
State nuisance abatement laws already allow judges to shut down, for up to a year, buildings being used for drug manufacture or distribution. But the laws were not being used because state and county prosecutors did not have the resources to pursue such cases, said Attorney General Mark Bennett.
As a result, drug houses continue to operate despite repeated police raids and arrests.
Rep. Robert Herkes (D, Volcano-Kainaliu) drafted the measure to create the special unit within the Department of the Attorney General. He said rampant use of drugs, particularly ice, in economically depressed Pahala on the Big Island is tearing families apart and overwhelming law enforcement.
"My community has completely lost confidence in the police to address this problem," Herkes said.
The new law appropriates $100,000 to start the unit. It also allows the attorney general to draw on the proceeds of ill-gotten assets forfeited to the government to pay for salaries and expenses of the unit.
Other law enforcement bills signed into law by Lingle yesterday would:
>> Prevent minors from working in the adult entertainment industry.
>> Make permanent the law that raises the age of sexual consent law to 16 and strengthen sex offender registration requirements for convicted sex offenders.
>> Attempt to reduce the number of auto thefts by requiring people who sell three or more cars in a year to register as auto dealers.
>> Aid prosecutors in homicide cases by placing the burden on the defense to prove that a defendant suffers from extreme emotional disturbance.
>> Raise the penalty for stalking to a misdemeanor and simplify the elements that define stalking.
>> Make intentional assault of a law enforcement officer a felony rather than a misdemeanor.
>> Allow victims of domestic violence and sexual assault to take unpaid employment leave to seek medical attention for physical or psychological injury, to obtain counseling, to relocate or to take appropriate legal action.
>> Exempt victims of domestic violence, stalking or sexual assault from having to pay court costs connected with seeking protective or restraining orders.
State of Hawaii
