Over the past 10 years, the District Attorney’s Office of Harris County, Texas, has prosecuted more than 100,000 people for misdemeanor marijuana offenses and spent more than $100 million in the process.
Officials have determined that this has accomplished little in terms of public safety, and instead has inundated the local courts and criminal justice system with a massive amount of non-violent, low-level marijuana cases.
On March 1, 2017, the Misdemeanor Marijuana Diversion Program (MMDP) went into effect to reduce the strain that processing misdemeanor marijuana offenders has on the courts.
If you are arrested for a marijuana related crime, contact an Kingwood defense attorney to find out if you qualify for this program.
Does your case qualify for the MMDP?
MMDP is a voluntary program that allows offenders to avoid arrest, time in jail, the booking process, and criminal charges.
To be eligible under this program, you must meet the following criteria:
- Adult, age 17 or older
- Arrested for marijuana possession (Class A & B)
- Possess sufficient identifying information when arrested, according to the intervening law enforcement agency’s policy.
You will not be eligible to participate in the Marijuana Diversion Program if you are:
- Present in a “drug free zone” or a corrections facility while possessing a misdemeanor amount of marijuana.
- Currently enrolled in the MMDP Program 90-day period, before finishing the program.
- Charged with other crime(s) arising out of the instant detention, other than Class C misdemeanor tickets; in such instances, you will be charged with the other crime only (the marijuana should be tagged as evidence).
- Carrying a concealed handgun as well as marijuana; if this happens, you will be charged with Unlawfully Carrying A Weapon only (the marijuana will be tagged as evidence)
- Charged with another crime and have an active warrant out for your arrest (marijuana should be confiscated and tagged as evidence for the active case).
It is important to remember that to even be considered for the program, you must be accused of committing a misdemeanor marijuana possession crime — that means possessing less than 4 ounces.
Texas marijuana defense lawyer protects your rights
The Law Office of Andrew J. Williams provides trusted drug defense counsel to clients throughout the Kingwood and Humble, Texas area.
Whether you face misdemeanor marijuana or felony drug charges, you can count on us to fight for you.
Contact our firm online or call 281-358-9111 to schedule your free initial consultation.
