Hawaii Covid-19 Proclamations Lawsuit

Lawsuit filed against Governor David Ige’s proclamations regarding Covid-19

The Attorneys For Freedom Law Firm, located in Bishop Square, filed a lawsuit in federal district court seeking to have Governor David Ige’s proclamations regarding Covid-19 declared unconstitutional.

The lawsuit, along with a motion for a temporary restraining order, was filed in Federal Court on behalf of over a dozen local residents who formed For Our Rights, a nonprofit association.

The primary claim in the suit and the motion for a temporary restraining order is that extensions of Ige’s emergency order violate both the United States and Hawaii state constitutions.

“The governor has the authority to declare an emergency and make rules regarding the emergency on the grounds that it can be difficult to quickly assemble the Legislature to respond to an emergency, but that authority expires after 60 days,” said Marc J. Victor, with Attorneys For Freedom, during a press conference Wednesday. “From day 61 on, the governor is both making laws and enforcing them, in violation of the separation of powers provisions under Hawaii’s state constitution.”

The lawsuit includes additional allegations, including that the self-quarantine rules place an unconstitutional, undue burden on interstate travel, and that citizens have been exposed to criminal liability under rules that are “unconstitutionally vague.”

“I was bothered by the situation and was contacted by a group called For Our Rights to represent them, all of the residents of Hawaii, who are concerned about the governor’s response,” Victor said. “Every day that goes by with the rules under his emergency orders creates more hardship.”

“You have a king who is both making the laws and enforcing them. … What’s to stop the governor from extending the emergency and the emergency proclamations?” Marc Victor, the plaintiffs’ attorney from The Attorneys for Freedom Law Firm, said. “We could have an emergency that’s such a huge problem and the legislature can’t convene and we can’t get anything done. … (That lets) the governor be king for 60 days, but after 60 days you can’t be king anymore.”

Many of the individuals and business owners represented in the suit live on Kauai.

“The federal court has been very responsive,” Victor said. “We’re tentatively scheduled for a status conference on Friday and hope to argue the temporary restraining order as early as next Monday or Tuesday. The state Attorney General’s office has acknowledged the complaint and I look forward to a spirited debate with its representative.”

Jon Hegreness - R.
Jon Hegreness - R.
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I’m impressed. Without details about an ongoing situation, I want to say I am soooo happy I signed... up for the Attorney’s on Retainer program. I’ve been a client for some time, but never really expected to need them. Well, low and behold a very unhinged man made it a point to come straight at me and attack me, then claimed a different story. I am so happy that I already knew exactly who to call. I called the emergency line and Mr. Harris and Mr. Victor quickly got all over helping me. They jumped right in without hesitation. I highly recommend their program, not just for firearm owners that carry, but for anyone living in these crazy times where we might be forced to defend ourselves.read more
Brandon W.
Brandon W.
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stirring the K.
stirring the K.
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I was involved in a live fire situation with one fatality. the county was looking at me for... discharging a firearm near an occupied structure and some other things. once I called AFF, the county quickly changed their tune and said it was a righteous shoot, and I would NOT be charged. interesting how having a lawyer can change things, and having a GOOD lawyer makes all the difference.read more
Jade H.
Jade H.
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Adam C.
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Andy and his team at Attorneys for Freedom are incredible! I was quickly able to get an appointment... for a consultation after a small incident and Andy took it from there. My experience with them was second to none, and after all was said and done, Andy and his team came in considerably under budget and sent me my refund check incredibly quick. If you're anything like me, you've never been in a situation that needed a lawyer. I called around 10 different law firms in Arizona, and I can say with 100% certainty that I made the right choice with choosing Attorneys for Freedom. Are they the cheapest; no. Do they deliver; absolutely. I 100% recommend this firm for anyone in the state of Arizona.read more
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