Pending Texas Law Gives Cops Discretion In Minor Pot Cases

July 5, 2007 - Austin, TX, USA

Austin, TX: Legislation that will go into effect in September grants police the option of issuing citations to minor marijuana offenders in lieu of making a criminal arrest. The new law was passed by the legislature to reduce criminal justice costs associated with the prosecution of certain misdemeanor crimes.
Under House Bill 2391, law enforcement will have the discretion to issue a citation mandating local individuals who commit specific Class A and/or Class B misdemeanor crimes to appear in court. An arrest warrant will be issued for defendants who fail to appear in court by the date specified in the citation.
Under Texas law, possession of up to four ounces of marijuana is a misdemeanor offense punishable by up to one-year in jail a fine of up to $4,000. Individuals who sell less than one-quarter ounce of cannabis are also guilty of a misdemeanor. The possession and/or sale of larger quantities of cannabis are felony offenses.
According to US FBI data, approximately 95 percent of all marijuana arrests in Texas are for misdemeanor possession.
House Bill 2391 goes into effect on September 1, 2007.

-From NORMLs website. It's a step.

They are just folowing states like California that have made minor possession a ticket instead of arrest/booking due to overcrowded jails.I don't think it is due to a changing attitude or diminishing " contempt " for marijuana , just too many folks in jail and not enough beds.Still good for the ppl in that area though.

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Buds,Buds, and more Buds: Purps + White Russian

it's very good. it's a change in attitude that i didn't think the good ol bible thumping southland would have. baby steps...

fuck yes!!! cuz umm... i may or may not live in texas

police really already had the option to let you off free here in houston. i've gotten pulled over with marijuana twice and two different cops let me go.

my friend even ran a cop car off the road while smoking a blunt and the cop let him leave (her car was in the ditch on the side of the road!)

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First Closet Grow

Can you tell the people are speaking out? There are so many arrests for something minor it makes the crime/drug rate is very high. Makes the govt look bad so they just quit making so many arrests.

im in a smaller city in la county and if they dont just take it for themselves they throw it out,or if the copper is in a fucked up mood its rare u get a ticket.unless its over the oz.but on the flip side there r rookies or die hard cops that will make a front page story out of a joint.the jails r over crowded but i guess its all on your luck that day,really...

1 more day!!!!!!!

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fdd2blk she said she wanted 12 inches, so i gave her 4 three times.
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i hope not!!!

I got to go to the NOMAl party about the law taking affect but like i told them all it does is open discrimination to the officer because it's still up to them to take you or not......but hey I'm happy i don't have to worry

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Remember, Stupid Hurts!