State v. Buckman

OPINION OF THE COURT BY

LUM, C.J.

The issue in this appeal is whether the District Court has authority to impose a jail sentence for a traffic offense committed by a minor. We conclude that the District Court lacks authority to impose such a sentence and therefore set aside the sentencing order in this case.

I

On December 3,1987, Appellant Natalie Buckman was arrested for two traffic offenses, Driving Without a License in violation of Hawaii Revised Statutes (HRS) § 286-102, and Driving Under the Influence (DUI) in violation of HRS § 291-4. Although Appellant was seventeen years old at the time…