A proposal regarding misdemeanor marijuana possession and shoplifting crimes was presented to the Harrison City Council Public Safety Committee by Police Chief Chris Graddy earlier this month.
Hometown Daily News reports those currently charged with misdemeanor marijuana possession or shoplifting are arrested, booked and incarcerated or forced to post bond. Chief Graddy says with the proposed charges unless someone is a repeat offender, the district court will issue a fine and probation with no jail time. Therefore, he says the time in which it takes to arrest, book and incarcerate someone for one of these misdemeanor charges, roughly two hours, is time officers should be using to attend to other duties.
He suggests officers be granted the ability to issue citations to these offenders with court date, much like a traffic citation.
If the city council votes to pass Graddy’s new policy, police officers will be able to use their own discretion as to what action should be taken for someone charged with misdemeanor marijuana possession or shoplifting. The next full council meeting is set for Thursday.
In their discussion, the committee members said this policy would not reduce the penalties issued by the district court for these crimes, but would streamline the process for the police department.
Graddy says the new policy would still hold these offenders accountable and force them to appear in court. If they fail to appear for their court date, an arrest warrant will be issued, and offenders will be taken into custody at that time.
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