It's unclear if joint smokers will appreciate this fine aftertaste. But the police and the magistrates themselves are already enjoying this novelty. From this Tuesday, an arrest for cannabis use can now be the subject of a simplified procedure. The police can impose a fixed fine of 200 euros (reduced to 150 euros in the event of rapid payment and increased to 400 euros in the opposite case). A speedy settlement aimed in particular to unclog the courts.
For the time being, this experiment, which is part of a law passed in November 2018, only concerns the Ile-de-France police districts of Créteil and Boissy-Saint-Léger. It should extend to all of Val-de-Marne in a month before being generalized throughout the national territory, no doubt at the start of the September school year.
Up to 30 g, if no history
On the jurisdiction of Créteil, the prosecution imposed its conditions. This fine can only be issued if the smoker is unknown to the processing of criminal records, that is to say the file which lists all the cases in which an individual has been involved and which, in theory easily, is available to each police officer. . Clearly, for repeat offenders, mandatory custody. Another condition: this measure cannot be applied if the offender has more than 30 g of drugs on him. Last specificity of Val-de-Marne, it can only be cannabis.
"This will save everyone's time," said one at the Créteil prosecution. The police will no longer be required to bring the person back to the police station. For the magistrate, who generally in Créteil orders a composition or a penal order, it is also a saving of time. "
It is no coincidence that this measure is tested in Créteil. Since last year, the court has experimented with the same principle but in the field of traffic offenses. In 2019, out of the 2,399 license defaults identified by the police, 427 resulted in a charge per fine (with only 40 disputes).
"This experiment with cannabis should lighten our work a little," says a magistrate. My only concern is the end of the therapeutic orders ordered following police custody. "
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Cannabis: raffle, pub and home delivery, new methods from dealers
For the police, we see above all the end of a relative impunity in matters of drug use. “We are always reluctant to arrest for the use of drugs. We already have other cats to whip. But when you are faced with a particularly unpleasant smoker, even if you want to bring him back down, you know that behind, it is a minimum of two hours of procedure. If we can easily make a fine, that allows us to type on the guy's fingers and quickly go back to take care of the people who need us. "