ACLU Files Class-Action Lawsuit Against Honolulu Police Over False DUI Arrests

The American Civil Liberties Union of Hawaii has filed a class-action lawsuit against the Honolulu Police Department, accusing officers of arresting sober drivers without probable cause in order to meet DUI arrest quotas and secure federal funding. The lawsuit highlights that between 2022 and 2024, 127 drivers with a 0.000 blood alcohol content were arrested despite passing field sobriety tests and showing no signs of impairment; most were released without traffic citations but still ended up with DUI records. The ACLU alleges that police supervisors incentivize arrests by allowing officers to leave early while still receiving full pay if they make a DUI arrest, leading to investigative shortcuts and fabricated police reports, sometimes with body cameras turned off to conceal misconduct. The lawsuit contends that these practices violate constitutional protections against unlawful arrest and due process, causing lasting harm to innocent individuals, including visitors like Ammon Fepuleai. In response to the allegations, the Honolulu Police Department has initiated a comprehensive review of impaired driving arrests dating back to 2021 and stated it takes the accusations seriously. The case represents hundreds of drivers and demands that the police department stop arresting individuals without evidence, emphasizing the need for accountability and systemic reform.