REQUESTING THE JUDICIARY TO URGE COURTS TO PRIORITIZE VICTIM AND WITNESS RIGHTS TO SPEEDY TRIALS.

SCR 208 is a concurrent resolution requesting Hawaii's Judiciary to urge courts to prioritize victims' and witnesses' rights to speedy trials. It specifically asks courts to consider the adverse impact of delays on victims (especially young victims of sexual offenses) when deciding whether to continue cases. For cases involving minors as victims or witnesses, it recommends limiting continuances to three unless justified, requiring trials to begin within 12 months of charges, and considering a minor's age and well-being. This resolution does not create new law but formally requests the Judiciary to prioritize these considerations in court proceedings.