SAN ANTONIO — Bexar County will launch a new cite and release program for people committing low-level, nonviolent offenses.
Bexar County District Attorney Nico LaHood released details on the new pilot program at a news conference Wednesday.
These are the crimes DA LaHood says would be a part of the program:
- Class A & B possession of marijuana
- Class B criminal mischief
- Class B theft
- Class B theft of service
- Class B driving while license invalid
“We have to balance community safety, fiscal responsibility for taxpayers and opportunities for the citizen accused,“ said District Attorney Nico LaHood.
Under the new rules, an officer would have the discretion to issue citations for certain misdemeanor offenses. That means that person could avoid being arrested and prevent a criminal record.
“This program will allow officers to stay on our streets and continue to protect our community; help prevent the overburdening of our criminal justice system, and at the same time allow the citizen accused an opportunity to learn from a poor choice without having the stigma of an arrest follow them for the rest of their lives,” said LaHood.
Under the new program, offenders could take a class, do community service, and pay a fee. If the requirements are met within 90 days, their case will be dismissed.
“Over the last 15, 16 years, we worked for – what we call – therapeutic justice,” said Bexar County Judge Nelson Wolff.
Misdemeanors covered in the program include: some marijuana offenses, criminal mischief, theft, theft of service and driving with an invalid license.
“I can honestly say, this is huge," said Bexar County Sheriff Javier Salazar.
The Bexar County Sheriff’s Office has already begun sifting through records to see if anyone is eligible for the new policy.
“There maybe one, there maybe 20. At this point whatever that number is...it’s bound to help my jail population for sure,” said Salazar.
No specific date has been set for the launch of the new Cite and Release pilot program.