Cook County State's Attorney Anita Alvarez is speaking today about changes in the way her office handles drug arrests. Buried in the story is that the office will no longer pursue charges against anyone caught with a small amount of marijuana.
http://www.reuters.com/...
The office will emphasize treatment over criminal penalties even for arrests that are at the level of a Class 4 felony.
Back in 2012, the City of Chicago began issuing tickets in many instances when people were in possession of small amounts of marijuana. This cut arrests considerably, however there was a large racial disparity in who got tickets and who got arrested. Because the office has announced that charges will no longer be forthcoming, I would expect the arrests to cease entirely.
This applies to only future cases and only to non-violent offenders with less than three previous arrests or citations.
From the Chicago Tribune article:
The office will announce the changes at 10:15 a.m. Monday. Daly said they are part of an overhaul that will also address how the office prosecutes small amounts of such drugs as Ecstasy, cocaine and heroin.
The changes will include creation of an alternative prosecution program aimed at diverting nonviolent, repeat drug offenders out of the criminal justice system.
The program, designed for those charged with Class 4 felony possession â currently punishable by up to a $25,000 fine or one to three years in prison, or both â will attempt to address chronic drug use and addiction as a public health issue. Repeat offenders are expected to be linked with social service agencies for treatment rather than face criminal penalties.
This is a welcome change, but I feel for all the people already in court system or in jail.