News & Politics - Chicago considers ticketin marijuana offenders

mh67511 · 09-22-2004, 09:58 PM

Quote:

Daley supports proposal to ticket people caught with marijuana
September 22, 2004

Mayor Richard Daley is backing a proposal to ticket people with small amounts of marijuana instead of prosecuting them in court.

Chicago Police Superintendent Philip Cline is considering the proposal, made by an officer who was fed up with making minor drug arrests just to watch as judges dropped the charges.

"Sometimes a fine is (better) than being thrown out of court," Daley said Tuesday. "Thrown out of court means nothing. Many times the offenders don't even show up anyway."

A mayoral spokesman said the proposal by officer Thomas Donegan is under review.

In a letter sent to Cline, Donegan said if offenders were ticketed instead of taken to court, the guilty findings would be easier and revenues would be created.

According to Donegan, court records from last year indicate that 94 percent of the 6,954 Chicago cases involving marijuana amounts smaller than 2.5 grams were dismissed, as were 81 percent of the cases involving from 2.5 to 10 grams.

Donegan said leveling fines of $250 for possession of 10 grams or less would have raised about $5 million for the city's coffers in 2003.

Fines could create an incentive for officers to become more aggressive in arresting pot smokers, said Ethan Nadelmann, executive director of The Drug Policy Alliance, a nonprofit group that promotes alternatives including the legalization of marijuana for medical purposes.

Nadelmann said the proposal would put a large burden on the young and poor likely to get hit with most of the tickets.

I personally think this is an excellent idea. Most of the cases are thrown out and they would be wasting time or resources on these pettyviolations. Plus this would be a great way to raise money! I think anytime you have a crime that doesn't pose any real threat to other citizens, I think it is better to fine them because it is much more benficial.

The Daywalker · 09-23-2004, 02:42 AM

Sounds like a good deal to me too.

Though, i've been craving a bit of bud lately.

MalloryKeaton · 09-23-2004, 09:07 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by mh67511
I personally think this is an excellent idea. Most of the cases are thrown out and they would be wasting time or resources on these pettyviolations. Plus this would be a great way to raise money! I think anytime you have a crime that doesn't pose any real threat to other citizens, I think it is better to fine them because it is much more benficial.

There's nothing petty about carrying around that drug. It's wrong, and it's illegal. The drug does pose a threat to other people. When people who are under the influence of that drug drive, operate machinary, or even make decisions, their state of mind is altered due to the drug being in their system. It would be more benefical to fine them and arrest them. Just giving them a fine isn't going to necessarily be any better, because they could find a way out of paying the fine. It's true, that if they do the crime, they need to do the time and be fined as well, not just one or the other. Although, if it can't be both then just stick with arresting them.

Milt Palacio · 09-23-2004, 12:02 PM

Police spend more time busting drug offenses than they do violent crimes. It's pretty backwards.

mh67511 · 09-23-2004, 04:26 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by MalloryKeaton
There's nothing petty about carrying around that drug. It's wrong, and it's illegal. The drug does pose a threat to other people. When people who are under the influence of that drug drive, operate machinary, or even make decisions, their state of mind is altered due to the drug being in their system. It would be more benefical to fine them and arrest them. Just giving them a fine isn't going to necessarily be any better, because they could find a way out of paying the fine. It's true, that if they do the crime, they need to do the time and be fined as well, not just one or the other. Although, if it can't be both then just stick with arresting them.

Think of it this way. If a cop pulled over a minor and saw an unopened case of beer, that wouldn't necesarily pose a threat. Yes, if the minor drinks the beer while driving then it would pose a threat. But just the fact there there is beer in the car does not pose a threat because they wont necesarily drink it while driving or drink it at all.

Anyways having a gram or two of pot is NOT that big of a deal. Yes it is illegal but so is downloading music and I'm sure most of us have done that.

I also can't think of too many ways to get out of paying a fine. Of course you can just NOT pay it, but then the fine will just keep getting bigger and bigger and I'm sure if you ignore it long enough they could take legal action or garnish your wages or something like that.

Butterflyz · 09-24-2004, 07:35 AM

They have problems with weed? Try an epidemic of P.

Sparrowhawk · 09-25-2004, 04:13 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by MalloryKeaton
There's nothing petty about carrying around that drug. It's wrong, and it's illegal. The drug does pose a threat to other people. When people who are under the influence of that drug drive, operate machinary, or even make decisions, their state of mind is altered due to the drug being in their system. It would be more benefical to fine them and arrest them. Just giving them a fine isn't going to necessarily be any better, because they could find a way out of paying the fine. It's true, that if they do the crime, they need to do the time and be fined as well, not just one or the other. Although, if it can't be both then just stick with arresting them.

It is the same with alcohol, but that is legal. There is nothing intrinsicly wrong with smoking it besides what you might do while under the influence.


Fan Forum > General Discussion > News & Politics > Chicago considers ticketin marijuana offenders