The original legislation, S-3454, inexplicably bans police officers from notifying parents whose kids commit a first-time offense of marijuana or alcohol use or possession.
After significant public backlash, all indications signal Trenton will enact a “clean-up” bill to allow officers to notify parents when their children are caught using or possessing marijuana or alcohol.
The language in the “clean-up” bill, however, only corrects this one problem from the original legislation, which contains multiple flaws and unclear language forcing New Jersey police officers into risky and dangerous situations.
Under the original legislation, officers who, in good faith and utilizing common sense, investigate the underage use or possession of marijuana or alcohol can be held criminally liable if mistaken in their well-intentioned search.
The potential of serious criminal deprivation of civil rights charges will inevitably deter officers from intervening in underage drug use and possession situations. Should we ask an officer to risk their livelihood just for doing their job?