Pot News

Dallas joins no-jail cite and release policy on small marijuana busts

As long as that joint is four ounces or less, no jail for you.

Dallas' approach to marijuana changes on December 1, when a new "cite and release" program goes into effect.

The Dallas City Council approved the creation and implementation of a cite and release program in April 2017. The program allows officers to document the offense, then return to more important patrolling duties, such as protecting the citizens of Dallas.

Marijuana possession will still be illegal in the city of Dallas and in the state of Texas. The change is in how authorities respond.

Those found with small amounts of marijuana — four ounces or less — will be given a citation but not sent to jail. In order to be eligible for cite and release, you must have the following provisions:

Possess four ounces of marijuana or less
Reside in the Dallas County portion of the city of Dallas and be detained in the same area
Have a valid Texas-issued ID or driver's license

The charges are as follows: A Class B misdemeanor is punishable by a fine of up to $2,000 and/or 180 days in jail. A Class A misdemeanor is punishable by a fine up to $4,000 and/or up to one year in jail.

This is not a simple Class C citation or traffic ticket. But it keeps you from having to go to jail.

If you do get detained for possession of marijuana, a Class A or B misdemeanor offense, your weed will be confiscated, then you'll be cited, fingerprinted, handed the Dallas County Acknowledgement & Acceptance Form, and assigned a court date at the Frank Crowley Courts Building, at 133 N. Riverfront Blvd.

If you don't show up for your court date, a warrant will be issued for your arrest. Other than not being arrested, your charge will be handled as usual by the District Attorney's office.

Marijuana possession is a misdemeanor criminal charge in Texas. You'll be fingerprinted and a mug shot will be taken. Your mug shot will be searchable online. For those found guilty of possessing four ounces or less, penalties can run from 180 days to one year in jail, and a fine of $2,000 to $4,000.

Dallas joins cities such as Austin and Houston who already have cite and release programs. And things are looking up: Medical marijuana will be available in Texas by the end of the year.

city-news-roundup

Exclusive enclaves

3 affluent Dallas neighbors dominate new list of wealthiest U.S. suburbs

3540 Wentwood Drive, University Park home for sale

Photo courtesy of Estately

This over-the-top mansion in University Park is on the market for $7.2 million.

Three well-to-do Dallas-area communities - University Park, Southlake, and Colleyville - are among the wealthiest suburbs in America in 2025, a new report has confirmed.

The three affluent Dallas neighbors were lauded in GoBankingRates just-released ranking the 50 wealthiest U.S. suburbs, based on 2022 and 2023 average household income data sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau.

University Park ranked as the sixth wealthiest suburb for the second consecutive year, while Southlake moved up into the No. 7 spot after earning a No. 13-rank in 2024.

Meanwhile, Colleyville made its 2025 debut on the list as the 47th wealthiest American suburb.

Compared to last year's report, the average income for a University Park household has increased by $8,633, to $389,868. The value of the typical home in this affluent Dallas enclave is in the seven-figure range, surpassing $2.45 million in May, which the report noted is 5 percent higher than it was this time last year.

University Park's prosperity is no secret; it ranked as the fourth wealthiest U.S. suburb in GoBankingRates' 2023 report.

1737 Tuscan Ridge Circle, Southlake home for sale Southlake also boasts many charming homes for hefty price tags. This home on Tuscan Ridge Circle is for sale for $1.25 million.Photo courtesy of Estately

Southlake (No. 7) made a substantial climb up the chart from its 2024 rankings, as did its average household income ($382,520 compared to $360,078 last year). The typical home value for a Southlake home in May came out to more than $1.29 million, up from $1.24 million in the 2024 report.

Earlier this year, Southlake nearly topped a separate list of the best suburbs to live in America, also in part thanks to its residents' high median income.

Newcomer Colleyville (No. 47) entered the 2025 rankings with an average household income of $265,831 according to GoBankingRates' findings, and a typical home value of $923,032.

Dallas-Fort Worth was the only metro in Texas to have three entries on this year's list.

Elsewhere in Texas
Two Houston-area suburbs, West University Place and Bellaire, were returnees in the 2025 report. West U held on to its top-three spot for the second year in a row, while Bellaire moved up two places and is now the 23rd most affluent American suburb.

The top 10 wealthiest suburbs in America for 2025 are:

No. 1 – Scarsdale, New York (New York City)
No. 2 – Rye, New York (New York City)
No. 3 – West University Place, Texas (Houston)
No. 4 – Los Altos, California (San Jose)
No. 5 – Alamo, California (Oakland)
No. 6 – University Park, Texas (Dallas)
No. 7 – Southlake, Texas (Fort Worth)
No. 8 – Hinsdale, Illinois (Chicago)
No. 9 – Orinda, California (Oakland)
No. 10 – Wellesley, Massachusetts (Boston)

dallas fort worth colleyville university park southlake suburbs affluent households wealthy suburbs gobankingrates.com