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APD seeks efficiency in marijuana cases
"Field arrest" helps logjams at courthouse
Updated: Friday, 09 Nov 2012, 11:17 AM CST
Published : Thursday, 08 Nov 2012, 5:46 PM CST
AUSTIN (KXAN) - Gov. Rick Perry has said the laws that legalized recreational marijuana use in Washington and Colorado should not be expected anytime soon in Texas.
Supporters of marijuana legalization in those states pointed to a more efficient court system as among the advantages.
In Austin, local agencies have recently adopted a “field arrest” policy for those caught in possession of marijuana.
Austin Police Department says people found with less than four ounces of marijuana can be arrested and immediately released by the arresting officer if the suspect meets certain requirements such as presenting a valid ID and having no outstanding warrants.
A suspect is still given a court date and a judge hands down the sentence.
APD marijuana arrest statistics:
- 2010: 5,000 arrests
- 2011: 4,300 arrests
- 2012: 32,49 arrests
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