--- title: "Rebecca A. Copeland | KnowJudges" canonical: "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/rebecca-a-copeland-circuit-court-judge-hawaii-circuit-court-first-circuit-hi" page_type: "judge_profile" updated: "2026-10-07" --- # Rebecca A. Copeland Hawaii Circuit Court, First Circuit · Circuit Court Judge ## Profile - Court: Hawaii Circuit Court, First Circuit - State: Hawaii - Role: Circuit Court Judge - Service status: active - Last verified: 2026-07-26 ## Summary Official statewide and applicable court procedural guidance applies to this judge. ## Biography ### Professional career - Circuit Court Judge in the First Circuit (Oʻahu) of the Hawaii State Judiciary, serving a 10‐year term from September 30, 2024, to September 29, 2034, and presiding over family, criminal, and domestic violence cases - Sworn in on September 27, 2024, alongside other new judges, in a ceremony led by Chief Justice Mark E. Recktenwald - Her teaching included as an adjunct professor at several law schools, among them the University of Hawaii William S. Richardson School of Law ### Education ### Additional information - Governor Josh Green appointed Rebecca Copeland to a First Circuit Court vacancy in May 2024, subject to Senate confirmation. - She succeeded Judge Gary Chang, who retired in June 2024 - At that time she was a District Family Court judge, had led the Special Division and presided over the Truancy Court and Early Education Intervention Program. - Before judicial service she ran her own law practice and worked at other law offices. ## Before you appear - Read the judge-specific standing order first when one is listed. - Check the docket and case orders for requirements that supersede broader guidance. - Confirm current remote-access and courtroom technology arrangements before the proceeding. ## Courtroom Rules ### extended coverage notice Scope: statewide Hawaii requires news media to notify a court coordinator before electronic or photographic coverage of a judicial proceeding, including audio recording, film, videotape, or still photography. Evidence excerpt: The news media must notify a court coordinator of their intent to provide any electronic or photographic coverage of a judicial proceeding. [Cameras and Audio Equipment](https://www.courts.state.hi.us/news_and_reports/media_guidelines/cameras_and_audio_equipment) Source checked: 2026-07-26 ### camera microphone placement Scope: statewide Hawaii leaves courtroom camera and microphone placement to the judge and cautions that judges may differ on placement rules. Evidence excerpt: The judge will decide where cameras and microphones can be placed in the courtroom. Judges differ on this - so please ask. [Cameras and Audio Equipment](https://www.courts.state.hi.us/news_and_reports/media_guidelines/cameras_and_audio_equipment) Source checked: 2026-07-26 ## Sources - [Official profile](https://www.courts.state.hi.us/general_information/contact/judges_phone_listing_1c) - [Official roster](https://www.courts.state.hi.us/general_information/contact/judges_phone_listing_1c) - [Hawaii State Judiciary official judicial roster](https://www.courts.state.hi.us/general_information/contact/judges_phone_listing_1c) - [Cameras and Audio Equipment](https://www.courts.state.hi.us/news_and_reports/media_guidelines/cameras_and_audio_equipment) - [Remote Court Hearings via Zoom](https://www.courts.state.hi.us/remote-court-hearings-via-zoom-or-webex) - [Hawaii State Judiciary judicial profile or roster](https://www.courts.state.hi.us/general_information/contact/judges_phone_listing_1c) - [governor.hawaii.gov](https://governor.hawaii.gov/newsroom/governor-green-makes-four-judicial-appointments-appoints-dhrd-deputy-and-names-individuals-to-open-positions-on-state-boards-and-commissions/) - [data.capitol.hawaii.gov](https://data.capitol.hawaii.gov/sessions/splsession2024a/GM1_TESTIMONY_JDC_06-24-24_.PDF) - [www.courts.state.hi.us](https://www.courts.state.hi.us/news_and_reports/2024/09/copeland-costa-medeiros-and-nichols-sworn-in-as-circuit-court-judges) - [www.hawaiisenatemajority.com](https://www.hawaiisenatemajority.com/press-release/senate-confirms-four-judicial-appointments-to-o%CA%BBahu-circuit-court) - [www.hawaiifreepress.com](https://www.hawaiifreepress.com/Articles-Main/ID/40946/Senate-Special-Session-Rubber-Stamps-Four-Oahu-Circuit-Court-Nominees) - [www.hawaiifreepress.com](https://www.hawaiifreepress.com/Articles-Main/ID/24441/Senate-Special-Session-Confirms-Judicial-Nominees) - [www.jhchawaii.org](https://www.jhchawaii.org/access-to-justice-public-accommodations-and-the-future-of-hawaiis-judiciary/) - [www.lawyer.com](https://www.lawyer.com/rebecca-ann-vradenburg-copeland.html) - [Hawaii State Judiciary judicial profile or roster](https://www.courts.state.hi.us/general_information/contact/judges_phone_listing_1c) ## JSON-LD ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "WebPage", "@id": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/rebecca-a-copeland-circuit-court-judge-hawaii-circuit-court-first-circuit-hi", "url": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/rebecca-a-copeland-circuit-court-judge-hawaii-circuit-court-first-circuit-hi", "name": "Rebecca A. 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