Prosecutors in Pierce, King counties to dismiss pot-possession cases

[The Straight Story]

The elected prosecutors in Washington's two most populous counties said today they would dismiss certain misdemeanor marijuana-possession cases as a result of voters' passage of Initiative 502, which legalizes pot possession of one ounce or less.

The dismissals in Pierce and King counties will affect defendants who are 21 years or older who are charged with possessing one ounce or less of marijuana. There are about 175 such cases in King County and about a third that number in Pierce County.

King County Prosecuting Attorney Dan Satterberg said that dismissing the cases is the right thing to do.

“Although the effective date of I-502 is not until December 6, there is no point in continuing to seek criminal penalties for conduct that will be legal next month,” Satterberg said.

Pierce County Prosecutor Mark Lindquist said only defendants whose sole charge is misdemeanor marijuana possession would have their cases dismissed. The charge will stand if it is part of a multiple-count case, Lindquist said.

Read more here: http://www.thenewstribune.com/2012/11/09/2361664/prosectors-in-pierce-king-counties.html#storylink=cpy

[Le Taz Hot]

1. Saving those counties thousands of dollars

and freeing up the D.A.'s office to prosecute REAL criminals.

[joshcryer]

2. Colorado should do this too, even though it's just a fine for up to an ounce.

But I think Colorado wants to rake in as much money as possible before it goes into effect. That'd be my guess anyway.

The fine here is less than a traffic ticket.

[gateley]

3. Smart!

[Scootaloo]

4. And the economy of my little island just shot up by 103%

Take that, "apples are our primary agricultural product"

[MFM008]

5. awesome

There are better things to worry about. Probably why we all voted for it, even my mom.