Background
American Surety Incorporated, doing business as All in One Bonding, appealed a decision from the Circuit Court of the First Circuit in a case involving criminal defendants Iosua Stevens and Edward Leetaale Kuhnert. The bail bond company filed the appeal as a real party in interest in the underlying criminal matter.
The Court’s Holding
The Intermediate Court of Appeals approved a stipulation to dismiss the appeal filed by American Surety Incorporated on July 8, 2026. All parties—including the State of Hawaii and the defendants—agreed to the dismissal and consented to the court’s approval of the agreement.
The court ordered that each party shall bear its own fees and costs in connection with the appeal, consistent with Hawaii Rules of Appellate Procedure Rule 42(b), which permits dismissal by stipulation of all appearing parties.
Key Takeaways
- The appeal was resolved through mutual agreement rather than appellate review on the merits.
- All parties, including the bail bond company and the State, agreed to the dismissal.
- Each party bears its own costs, avoiding the need for an appellate decision.
Why It Matters
Stipulated dismissals are a common resolution mechanism in appellate practice, allowing parties to avoid the time and expense of full appellate review. This procedural dismissal demonstrates how stakeholders in criminal cases—including bail bond companies with financial interests—may resolve disputes through agreement rather than contested appeals.