Pubdate: Mon, 20 Apr 2015 Source: Journal Standard, The (Freeport, IL) Copyright: 2015 GateHouse Media, Inc. Contact: http://www.journalstandard.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/3182 Author: Georgette Braun LOW-LEVEL POT OFFENDERS IN ROCK RIVER VALLEY OFFERED TREATMENT INSTEAD OF JAIL FREEPORT - While the Cook County state's attorney announced Monday that her office won't prosecute most misdemeanor marijuana cases, there's no such policy shift on the horizon for local prosecutors. State's attorneys in Winnebago, Boone and Stephenson counties said they will continue to offer programs already in place for low-level pot offenders. Anita Alvarez said in Chicago that she also will steer many facing felony drug charges into treatment rather than locking them up. The policy shift will save the county, that includes Chicago, the money it costs to keep offenders in jail, she said. Those facing low-level drug charges will be routed to treatment programs almost immediately after they are arrested, she said. And she added that by reducing the number of days people spend in jail, those arrested may be able to keep their jobs and homes that they could otherwise lose if they're locked up. Joe Bruscato, Winnebago County state's attorney, said the county has had a diversionary program in place for about four years. It allows those arrested for possessing a small amount of marijuana to not be charged with a violation if they complete a six-week drug-treatment program through Rosecrance Health Network. So far this year, 39 people have been sent to the Drug School Program at Rosecrance, said Katie Zimmerman, Alternative Justice & Outreach coordinator. Last year, Bruscato's office referred 95 individuals to the Saturday program, she said. All completed it last year, said Judy Emerson, director of communications for Rosecrance. Most were in the program for cannabis-related offenses, she said. Bruscato said if the program is completed, the offender is not charged. Bruscato said prosecutors are looking at low-level pot offenses in a new light these days partly because of limited taxes and resources. And he said, "we're watching the evolution of how to approach cases" as Americans' attitudes toward marijuana use for medical and recreational purposes have shifted. Illinois is one of 24 states that allows marijuana to be used for medicinal purposes. Colorado, Washington, and Alaska allow recreational use. Bruscato said Winnebago County's alternative justice programs do not deal with small amounts of drugs such as Ecstasy, cocaine and heroin. Instead, "traditional prosecution" for cases involving those drugs prevails, he said. Michelle Courier, Boone County state's attorney, and Carl Larson, Stephenson County state's attorney, said their counties don't have diversion programs like Winnebago County. But they said the law already allows those charged with possessing small amounts of marijuana to have their record cleared of the charge. That's if they complete drug treatment and testing programs, as well as community service stints, and they stay out of trouble for two years. It applies for those who have been charged with possessing 30 grams or less of marijuana. Larson said that the "penalty is pretty mild" for those with clean records charged for the first time with possessing a small amount of marijuana. "Anybody who doesn't have a significant record likely would receive court supervision and probably (costs of) less than $400 to $500," he said. In 2012, Chicago adopted an ordinance allowing police to issue tickets of $250 to $500 for someone caught with up to 15 grams of pot. From 2013 to 2014, police arrested 3,000 fewer people, opting for citations instead, Chicago police spokesman Martin Maloney said. Jim Ryan, city administrator for Rockford, said he has not been involved in any discussions with the state's attorney's office about not prosecuting misdemeanor pot cases. - --- MAP posted-by: Matt