Despite December 2017 launch date, Bexar County's cite-and-release program has yet to start



It is now unclear when Bexar County's cite and release program will go into effect. The following misdemeanor crimes will be eligible for the program:

The following misdemeanor crimes will be eligible for the program: It is now unclear when Bexar County's cite and release program will go into effect. Photo: Bob Owen, Staff / San Antonio Express-News Photo: Bob Owen, Staff / San Antonio Express-News Image 1 of / 14 Caption Close Despite December 2017 launch date, Bexar County's cite-and-release program has yet to start 1 / 14 Back to Gallery

Bexar County's cite-and-release program, allowing those caught with small amounts of marijuana to avoid jail time, has not yet been set in motion despite a promised launch before the new year.

Officials with Bexar County District Attorney Nico LaHood's office said in in December the program would kick off before the end of 2017.

More than two weeks into 2018, however, the program has not been implemented across Bexar County, they said.

"We are still working with all of the necessary agencies to set up the program," said spokeswoman Leslie Garza.

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The program allows those charged with certain low-level misdemeanors to be diverted from jail and allowed to take a class and do community service instead. The most prominent of these misdemeanors is possession of two ounces or less of marijuana.

LaHood announced in September the program would be implemented in the county. Officials will evaluate the program after six months to a year and work out any kinks that may arise.

A law passed by the Texas Legislature in 2007 gives entities the power to opt into programs like the one detailed by LaHood. Ten years later, several large counties have decided to participate.

After Harris County announced its policy in February, LaHood told mySA.com he wanted to treat low-level marijuana crimes "like a traffic ticket." The announcement Bexar County would do something similar came seven months later.

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Harris County officials launched its program March 1, roughly a month after they first announced their plans.

Roll out of a Dallas County cite-and-release program was less smooth. Officials first announced they would opt into a program allowing offenders to avoid jail time in April 2017 with a beginning date of Oct. 1. However, the program was not officially implemented in the county until Dec. 1, 2017, the Dallas Observer reported.

Garza has not responded to additional questions regarding the reasons for the programs delay or when it would be implemented.

Kelsey Bradshaw is a digital reporter for mySA.com. Read more of her stories here. | kbradshaw@express-news.net | Twitter: @kbrad5