Madison NORML

Not only will a bond of $300 be enforced, but offenders will also lose their driver’s license for six months. As noted in prior reports on this ordinance’s progress, the ordinance “prevents a county circuit court judge from expunging the offender's record after the sentence is served.” Manitowoc Alder Paul Tittl apparently thinks softly beating the citizenry is fair and proper: "I believe that it is painful enough to cause people to think twice . There has got to be some teeth to it for it to be effective."

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Such claptrap emanating from a staunch Republican like Tittl, whose party leader George Bush just commuted the 30-month federal prison sentence of White House aide Lewis “Scooter” Libby for outing a CIA agent, proves that there are two systems of justice in this nation. Libby will undoubtedly be pardoned for his treasonous crimes that led us into an illegal war, but in Manitowoc, you can’t even get a pot ticket expunged if you are an ordinary citizen.

Source: Herald Times Reporter click here
Pubdate: July 3, 2007
Author: Kristopher Wenn

CITY ADOPTS BOND AMOUNTS FOR MARIJUANA POSSESSORS

MANITOWOC - First-time offenders of the city's new marijuana and drug paraphernalia ordinance will have to account for hefty bond amounts after Monday's Manitowoc Common Council meeting.

In June, the council moved to make possession of marijuana an ordinance violation instead of a misdemeanor charge in circuit court.

Under the recently adopted rules, first-time offenders caught with less than 8 grams will receive a city ticket. Those caught with more than 8 grams of marijuana will face a misdemeanor charge, and second and later offenses will be handled in circuit court, District Attorney Mark Rohrer said in February.

On Monday, the council voted unanimously to adopt bond amounts that were recommended by Municipal Judge Daniel Glaeser.

Adults found in possession of marijuana will have to pay a $300 bond and get a minimum six-month driver's license suspension. For possession of drug paraphernalia, adults will have to pay a $150 bond and get a six-month or longer driver's license suspension.

A juvenile in possession of marijuana will have a $150 bond and a six-month or longer suspension of the juvenile's driver's license. For possession of drug paraphernalia, juveniles will have a bond amount of $75 plus costs and will have their driver's license suspended for six months or longer.

"I think it's reasonable," said Alderman Paul Tittl. "I believe that it is painful enough to cause people to think twice . There has got to be some teeth to it for it to be effective."

The city ordinance prevents a county circuit court judge from expunging the offender's record after the sentence is served. The conviction will appear if there are any future offenses because a city citation can't be expunged.

Previously, suspects tried their case in circuit court where they faced the possibility of $1,000 in fines, six months in jail and a six-month driver's license suspension.