Under current law, police officers must arrest a person whom they are charging with a class A misdemeanor (up to one year in jail and/or a maximum fine of $4,000) or class B misdemeanor (up to 180 days in jail and/or a maximum fine of $2,000).
The arrested person then is booked and placed in the county jail until the person can be brought before a magistrate for a hearing.
Now The New Law
HB 2391-Police officers could issue a citation and summons only if the person charged resided in the county where the offense occurred and the offense was:
· possession of four ounces or less of marihuana
· criminal mischief, where the value of damage done was $50 or more but less than $500
· graffiti, where the value of the damage done was $50 or more but less than $500
· theft, where the value of the property stolen was $50 or more but less than $500 or the value of property obtained by a hot check was $20 or more less but less than $500
· theft of a service, where the value of the service stolen was $20 or more but less than $500
· possession of contraband in a correctional facility, if the offense was punishable as a class B misdemeanor
· driving with an invalid license
Aaron's Vote
