CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas — The Nueces County District Attorney's Office announced Wednesday when they will roll out their new "cite in lieu of arrest" program.
It will give the Corpus Christi Police Department, Nueces County Sheriff's Office and other law enforcement agencies the discretion to give citations instead of taking someone into custody.
The program was presented to Nueces County Commissioners on Wednesday and is set to begin on April 24.
The program affects only seven qualifying misdemeanors. They include theft, possession of marijuana, possession of synthetic cannabinoids, graffiti, criminal mischief, criminal trespass, and possession of contraband in a correctional facility.
"If you get arrested for a theft case, a Class-A theft for instance, you're still facing up to a year in jail and you're still facing up to a $4,000 fine," First Assistant District Attorney Matt Manning said.
The only difference, Manning said, is that the case is being initiated with the issuance of a citation, rather than an arrest.
The District Attorney's Office is working on a training video for people who get cited in leiu of arrest so they will know the process, how to follow through and what to expect.
Manning made one point of the new process clear.
"These cases cannot be resolved like a traffic citation. You know, like when you get a traffic citation it says, "I want to do probation or do a class and send it in.' You cannot do that," Manning said. "With this you will be required to appear for an actual arraignment in front of a judge."
The rest of the process is handled just as if the person had been arrested.
"It's going to be a novel program," Nueces County Judge Barbara Canales said. "The first of its kind in Texas."
Canales said this in no way gives the alleged offender a free pass.
"That's not the case," Canales said. "And here's the most important part. The law officer who is the arresting officer will be able to make the absolute decision as to whether or not this offender goes to jail or receives this citation."
Those who get a citation will be instructed to go to court for a mass arraignment, which is to be held bi-monthly. The cite in lieu of arrest program begins April 24.