News

APD Rolls Out Cite And Release Sunday

February 22, 2009 4:48 pm by: KUT Staff

No more going to jail for invalid drivers license, minor crimes of theft and other misdemeanors.

Chief Art Acevedo announced the Austin Police Department will start the cite and release program Sunday, February 22. Instead of booking someone in jail for not having their drivers license when pulled over, police will issue a citation instead and let them be on their way.

The process applies to some Class A and B misdemeanors. Those types of crimes include driving without a valid drivers license, theft, theft of service, possession of marijuana, graffiti and criminal mischief.

The goal is to make police officers more available to respond to more serious issues around the city.

Deputies with the Travis County Sheriff’s Office already uses cite and release.

The Texas legislature passed a law in September 20007 to give police throughout the state this right.

Share|

No comments yet.

Add your response

Comments are moderated. They are posted at the discretion of KUT if they stick to the topic and contribute to the conversation. They will not be published if they contain or link to abusive material, personal attacks, profanity or spam.

You must be logged in to post a comment.