Jefferson County Ending Arrests for Misdemeanors, Including Small Amounts of Marijuana

Alabama’s most populous county is ending arrests for misdemeanors, including the possession of small amounts of marijuana.

A spokesman for the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office, Capt. David Agee, says Birmingham-area officers will begin issuing tickets for nonviolent misdemeanor offenses rather than taking people to jail.

Agee says people could still wind up in jail if misdemeanor offenses are tied to more serious crimes.

Jefferson County Sheriff Mark Pettway advocated curtailing arrests for small amounts of marijuana during his campaign last year.

Agee says the change will save jail space and supplies and allow officers to concentrate on more serious offenses. He also questions whether young people caught with a small amount of marijuana should have to spend a night in jail.

The change was announced Monday and took effect immediately.

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