Brooklyn DA: Thousands of open marijuana cases dismissed
Gonzalez says 90% of the people charged are people of color. These convictions, he says, prevented individuals from pursuing opportunities in life.
News 12 Staff
•
Jul 27, 2021, 9:30 PM
•
Updated 1,024 days ago
Share:
More Stories
2:34
Guide: Safety tips to help prevent home burglaries
73ds ago2:19
Guide: Safety measures to help prevent fires and how to escape one
221ds ago2:40
Mayor's budget cuts: A controversial solution amidst immigration crisis
239ds ago2:07
Tips on how to avoid confrontation with sharks while swimming in the ocean
305ds ago2:33
5 tips to prevent mosquito bites and getting sick from viruses
316ds ago2:39
NEWS 12 EXCLUSIVE: ‘He drove into the water.’ Car drives off dock in Patchogue; News 12 crew helps in the rescue
336ds ago2:34
Guide: Safety tips to help prevent home burglaries
73ds ago2:19
Guide: Safety measures to help prevent fires and how to escape one
221ds ago2:40
Mayor's budget cuts: A controversial solution amidst immigration crisis
239ds ago2:07
Tips on how to avoid confrontation with sharks while swimming in the ocean
305ds ago2:33
5 tips to prevent mosquito bites and getting sick from viruses
316ds ago2:39
NEWS 12 EXCLUSIVE: ‘He drove into the water.’ Car drives off dock in Patchogue; News 12 crew helps in the rescue
336ds agoThousands of open marijuana cases, that were on the docket because of open warrants, have been dismissed in Brooklyn.
Young people and communities of color have felt the biggest impact from the criminalization of marijuana, according to Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez.
He says that’s why he moved to have open cases dismissed. In a Zoom call, Brooklyn DA Eric Gonzalez, along with Brooklyn defenders and the Legal Aid Society, asked the judge to dismiss 3,578 marijuana cases.
He also asked the judge to vacate guilty pleas, relevant arrest warrants and convictions, which she agreed to.
Gonzalez says 90% of the people charged are people of color. These convictions, he says, prevented individuals from pursuing opportunities in life.
Brooklyn DA Gonzalez says 240 active cases where marijuana was charged were dismissed since March when the state legislature legalized marijuana.
Charges involving marijuana in felony cases are being dismissed during court proceedings.
Only eight cases involving marijuana charges remain in Brooklyn Criminal Court. Marijuana charges in serious felony cases being heard in Supreme Court will be dismissed during court proceedings.
Over the years, the DA’s office has stopped prosecuting possession and smoking cases. He says this is a step in strengthening community trust in the criminal justice system.
