LIHU‘E — The case against Kaua‘i County Councilmember Tim Bynum on Tuesday was moved to 5th Circuit Court. District Court Judge Trudy Senda granted the defense counsel’s request for a jury trial in Bynum’s case. A plea hearing is scheduled
LIHU‘E — The case against Kaua‘i County Councilmember Tim Bynum on Tuesday was moved to 5th Circuit Court.
District Court Judge Trudy Senda granted the defense counsel’s request for a jury trial in Bynum’s case.
A plea hearing is scheduled March 13 before Judge Kathleen Watanabe.
Bynum is facing misdemeanor charges related to allegations of zoning permit code violations at his Kapa‘a residence.
His attorney, Daniel Hempey, entered innocent pleas on both charges in district court on Dec. 21.
County First Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Jake Delaplane is handling the case on behalf of the state.
The case is one of about 40 agricultural-land zoning cases being handled by the prosecutor’s office as misdemeanor offenses in district court.
Bynum faces two misdemeanor charges of creating a division in a family or ranch-style dwelling, and for using a structure in a manner not permitted on agricultural land.
Bynum said the construction by a contractor was in accordance with county Planning Department requirements, and that any problems during inspections were corrected and resolved.
The new charges reportedly stem from original complaints filed in April 2010.
The same two charges in 2010 were considered code violations and resulted in a $500 fine.
The county has since upgraded the penalty to a misdemeanor that carries a $2,000 fine and possible jail time.
