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February 20, 2007
Ticket for marijuana possession in Manitowoc?
Posted by Gary Storck
February 20, 2007
Hopeful signs from Manitowoc that the city may start ticketing first time pot offenders instead of filing criminal charges. It's interesting to note that the idea originated at a meeting of local police chiefs, and that a number of other municipalities are also planning to decriminalize.
Herald Times Reporter
February 20, 2007
By Kevin Braley
Ticket for marijuana possession?Citation would be for first offense only
MANITOWOC — Possession of marijuana in Manitowoc might soon be an ordinance violation — meaning offenders would only be issued a city citation for the crime.
On Monday, the city's Public Property and Safety Committee discussed the possibility of giving police officers the choice of ticketing first-time marijuana possession offenders or sending them to circuit court to be charged with a misdemeanor.
Currently, all alleged offenders are charged in circuit court with misdemeanor possession of marijuana and face up to $1,000 in fines, six months in jail and a six month driver's license suspension, according to Manitowoc County District Attorney Mark Rohrer.
[snip]
Officers would have the option of ticketing first-time offenders caught with 8 grams or less of the drug. Anyone caught with more than 8 grams would automatically be charged with the misdemeanor, Rohrer said.The second and subsequent offenses would be handled in circuit court, Rohrer said.
Having an ordinance would prevent a county circuit judge from expunging the offender's record after the sentence is served, Rohrer said.
A city citation can't be expunged, Rohrer said, which means the conviction would appear if there are any future offenses, and possibly increase those penalties.
The fines for the municipal citation for the proposal have not been set, according to Committee Chairman Paul Tittl.
The idea of a marijuana possession ordinance surfaced at a Manitowoc County Police Chief's meeting, Manitowoc Police Chief Perry Kingsbury said.
Kingsbury supports the proposal and said all county municipalities are likely to adopt similar ordinances.
Kiel already has a possession of marijuana ordinance, Kingsbury said, and Two Rivers Police Chief Joe Collins, who attended Monday's meeting, said he supports the idea.
[snip]
To read complete article: click here.
Speaking of cities with decrim...
I spoke with Madison's Mayor Dave at the Tammy Baldwin fundraiser at the trendy Sardine restaurant on Willy St. Monday evening. He was not aware of the situation with the Lankford case and the filing of felony distribution charges in the case click here. He said he'd look into it.
Now that Spring primary is over and the lineup for the general election set, hopefully we'll see some discussion about these absurd charges among the mayoral and council candidates. -- GS
Posted by Gary at February 20, 2007 08:58 PM
Comments
There is a good reason why the local police chief want this ordinance.
From the article: "Having an ordinance would prevent a county circuit judge from expunging the offender's record after the sentence is served, Rohrer said."
By just writing a ticket, not only does the local police have less hassle to deal with they also make sure it on the record for-ev-er. At first glance, this sounds like a good thing....but if I was a first offender I'd probably take it to court, and try to get a deal that will expunge the charge afterwards.
Posted by: purplepenquin ![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://www.madisonnorml.org/blog/nav-commenters.gif)
at February 25, 2007 12:27 PM
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