Home -> Law Blog Directory -> Criminal Law Blogs -> Grits for Breakfast

Criminal Law

: Grits for Breakfast

With safety costs rising, why won't Austin use new citation authority for low-level offenses?

Since the Austin PD makes up so much of the city's budget and is driving cost increases and service cuts, you'd think the City Council and the Austin Police Department would welcome new authority from the Legislature to save money by giving citations instead of arresting for low-level misdemeanors.Indeed, especially given high gasoline costs and a limited number of officers, one of the best ways to save money and maximize public safety resources is to reduce the number of unnecessary trips to the jail, which saves gas and keeps the maximum possible number of officers out on the streets for enforcement. The Texas Legislature passed HB 2391 last year giving police discretion to give citations for more low-level, nonviolent misdemeanors including marijuana possession, though officers can still make arrests if they think the situation warrants it...continue to full post

Full post as published by Grits for Breakfast on July 24, 2008 (boomark / email).