Katelyn Baker
Well-Known Member
Champaign County - With new marijuana legislation in Illinois things might change for police around the state as well. The governor recently signed a bill decriminalizing marijuana.
Several departments say they are putting together a plan for dealing with the changes, but most say generally they won't have to change how the do their jobs
Under new state law, having less than 10 grams will no longer result in jail time or even a mark on your criminal record. However, Champaign County Sheriff Dan Walsh says that probably won't change much as far as police work goes.
He says, "I think we are going to treat it about the same as we always did."
The sheriff says it's already pretty rare to put someone in jail for for a small amount of pot, but he says people should remember decriminalizing pot doesn't make it legal.
"If we have probable cause to search a vehicle because we believe there is cannabis in it, that's what we will do. And even now, if we search and we find one baggie full, it doesn't mean that we stop, we search the rest of the vehicle to see what we find."
If the arresting officer finds only 10 grams on a person or in a car, he or she will take what they find and issue a fine up to $200. Walsh says jail time comes when it's considered a DUI, which can be applied to marijuana use as well as drinking.
The sheriff says that's not easy to prove on the spot. If an arresting officer pulls someone over for impaired driving, he or she can use a breathalyzer to see if alcohol has something to do with it. Right now there's no technology that can be used on scene to see whether someone has been using marijuana.
"If they are not showing signs of impairment until further testing and technology developed in Illinois, then nothing is going to happen."
One thing the sheriff says could happen for an arresting officer is less time in the jail and more on patrol.
"Just the jail portion could tie up the arresting officer anywhere from 30 minutes to two hours depending on how busy it is. So that would save time under those circumstances."
Several towns including Urbana and Champaign already have ordinances regarding small possession. The sheriff says the changes don't invalidate any local ordinances.
News Moderator: Katelyn Baker 420 MAGAZINE ®
Full Article: Pot Law Effects On Police
Author: Luke Ray
Contact: 217-373-3650
Photo Credit: WCIA-TV
Website: Illinois WCIA-TV
Several departments say they are putting together a plan for dealing with the changes, but most say generally they won't have to change how the do their jobs
Under new state law, having less than 10 grams will no longer result in jail time or even a mark on your criminal record. However, Champaign County Sheriff Dan Walsh says that probably won't change much as far as police work goes.
He says, "I think we are going to treat it about the same as we always did."
The sheriff says it's already pretty rare to put someone in jail for for a small amount of pot, but he says people should remember decriminalizing pot doesn't make it legal.
"If we have probable cause to search a vehicle because we believe there is cannabis in it, that's what we will do. And even now, if we search and we find one baggie full, it doesn't mean that we stop, we search the rest of the vehicle to see what we find."
If the arresting officer finds only 10 grams on a person or in a car, he or she will take what they find and issue a fine up to $200. Walsh says jail time comes when it's considered a DUI, which can be applied to marijuana use as well as drinking.
The sheriff says that's not easy to prove on the spot. If an arresting officer pulls someone over for impaired driving, he or she can use a breathalyzer to see if alcohol has something to do with it. Right now there's no technology that can be used on scene to see whether someone has been using marijuana.
"If they are not showing signs of impairment until further testing and technology developed in Illinois, then nothing is going to happen."
One thing the sheriff says could happen for an arresting officer is less time in the jail and more on patrol.
"Just the jail portion could tie up the arresting officer anywhere from 30 minutes to two hours depending on how busy it is. So that would save time under those circumstances."
Several towns including Urbana and Champaign already have ordinances regarding small possession. The sheriff says the changes don't invalidate any local ordinances.
News Moderator: Katelyn Baker 420 MAGAZINE ®
Full Article: Pot Law Effects On Police
Author: Luke Ray
Contact: 217-373-3650
Photo Credit: WCIA-TV
Website: Illinois WCIA-TV
