DAILY NEWS: [District Attorney Seth] Williams, deluged by phone calls, issued a statement yesterday afternoon that stated: “We are not decriminalizing marijuana – any effort like that would be one for the Legislature to undertake.” The D.A. noted that people who are stopped by police while possessing marijuana would still be arrested and fingerprinted, and could face the harshest penalty by law – 30 days in jail. “They will still have to answer to the charges,” Williams said, “but they will be doing so in a speedier and more efficient process.” McCaffery said the summary diversion plan, which should take about six months to implement, calls for suspects to have hearings in Courtroom 408 at the Criminal Justice Center. The courtroom processes quality-of-life crimes. Those busted for small-time possession might have to pay fines of a couple hundred dollars, take a two-hour drug-education course or do community service. They will be spared having a criminal record. MORE
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