What is the court's decision-making process for small claims cases?

The small claims court in Hawaii follows a formalized decision-making process for small claims cases. This process begins with a filing of the claim by the plaintiff, which is then served on the defendant. The defendant then has twenty days to respond to the claim and file an answer with the court. Following this, both parties will generally appear for the court hearing. At this hearing, each party will present their case and present evidence. The judge then makes a decision based on the evidence and testimony presented. The judge will also consider the law as it applies to the facts of the case. Once the judge has made a decision, the decision will be announced in court. The judge’s decision will be in the form of a written order that outlines the outcome of the case. This order will be signed by the judge and sent to both parties. The court’s decision can be appealed to the intermediate appellate court of Hawaii. Appeals are based on errors of law made by the lower court. The appellate court will decide if the lower court’s decision should be upheld or overturned. Both parties are allowed to present arguments during the appeals process. Once the appellate court has made a decision, it is final and binding. The lower court’s decision can be enforced by the court if it is in favor of the plaintiff. Small claims cases in Hawaii typically take between two to six months for the entire process to be completed. This process will vary depending on the complexity of the case and the appellate court’s schedule.

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What is the court's decision-making process for small claims cases?

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