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Subscribe to RSSA New Orleans attorney was cited for marijuana possession this week after a joint tumbled out of his pocket in front of police, according to media reports.
Police say Jason Cantrell, who has a private practice but also serves as a part-time assistant city attorney, was in the magistrate section of criminal court chatting with police officers when a marijuana joint fell out of his pocket and onto the floor, the New Orleans Times-Picayune reported.
Cantrell, 43, was a first-time offender and was cited, issued a summons to appear in court for simple possession of marijuana and let go, according to police spokesman Garry Flot.
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The handling of his case is the result of an effort by city leaders and prosecutors two years ago to unclog a congested system and allow people arrested for having a small amount of marijuana on them to receive a summons and not be taken to jail, according to the Times-Picayune.
Besides being a private practice attorney, Cantrell doubles as a part-time city attorney, handling cases in traffic court. He was not working for the city when the incident occurred.
City Hall spokesman Ryan Berni told WDSU that Cantrell has been suspended without pay, pending an investigation.
Cantrell’s wife, LaToya, is a candidate for a district seat on the City Council. She released a statement apologizing for her husband and saying, “I absolutely do not condone his actions,” the New York Daily News reported.
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“I love my husband unconditionally and am very concerned for his health and well-being, and for that of our family,” LaToya said. “I hope that this incident will encourage Jason to seek the professional help.”
Cantrell has practiced civil and criminal law in New Orleans for 17 years, including six as a public defender in juvenile court.
He ran for a position as a judge in juvenile court in 2009 but lost.
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@ Renee-Northern CA, your not the sharpest tool in the shed, are you...
But, but, but... it's legal in Oregon!!
sure thing dip@!$%#... Oh, you mean it's not legal in New Orleans??
JMS, according to the Feds, it is not legal anywhere in the U.S. Keep watch while the lawsuits proceed up the chain to SCOTUS.
For the record... I'm adamantly against legalization of marijuana.
My comments are rhetorically facetious.
Ah ha ha! - I have one word STUPID. For the wife - way to STAND BY YOUR MAN! She's propbably mad cuz he took her last joint from her. I'm sure prior to being cited he and the cops took a few hits.....LOL
I notice the wife didn't deny knowledge of his pot use.
This should be a non issue! What angers me is his wife claiming to know nothing about her husband smoking pot. She should have came to his defense but she did not. She is also a crook so it does not surprise me that she would throw him under the bus! She should be arrested for being a bad wife!
... as opposed to the Good Wife ?
While I fully believe that Marijuana should be legalized, taking some with you to court is about the dumbest thing you could possibly do. Other than voting for Odumass, but let's not go there.
Him and the Judge were going to smoke a
dubber nothing wrong with that.
did he get to keep the joint?
I guess he won't be able to go high up in the system now
So, does this mean his career went "Up in Smoke?"
I used to smoke crack with an attorney who is now a judge.... And I'm pretty sure he still smokes. He used to like to get whores, get all smoked out, and act like a freak. I'd imagine that he has locked up plenty of people who do the same thing he does.
When is a President or candidate going to push for legalization. Might help generate billions in tax dollars. Cigarettes and alcohol are much worse. What a joke.
The people who back these P.O.S. candidates (like owners of privatized prisons, and big pharma) ensure that they will NEVER push for legalization.
There's not enough money to be made in it unless it is taxed appropriately. Why would big Pharma condone a treatment you can grow in your backyard....they'd lose all that money on anti-nausea meds and painkillers! *gasp*
Yes, bringing it to work was a dumb thing to do, but seems his wife didn't take any time to back the bus over him!
Concerned for his health?!?! Yeah right! Concerned with her position! She's probably a closet toker too!
He is so STUPID, just leave it at home next time DUMMY. LOL
He is soooo STUPID ! Just leave it at home next time DUMMY. LOL
Wow that woman is perfect for politics..... shes already lying thru her teeth to please the public. What a joke so much energy and resources are wastedpursuing all these big bad pot useres its redic!! let the man smoke a j if he wants.
Pot being illegal is one of the biggest oppressions the world has ever seen. How can you incarcerate a living breathing free human of this earth for picking flowers that nature gave them?
His wife is already a politician. See what "help" sugar britches? It was just a little weed.
Drug test the wife.
I HATE when that happens...
This is kinda funny. Dude shoulda been like, oh I found this in the parking lot and was going to turn it in and forgot. Now he's going to catch hell for one joint. That's sad but still kinda funny. I have a hard time beliving his wife didn't know he smoked out. No way my dad could smoke weed and my mom not know it. No way.
They ought to just make it legal and move on to more important things.
Lying. The liberal's answer to anything.
Hey Vern. Take a break. You don't have to be an azzhole every day of your life. You told Old Lady "The liberals answer to everything- raise taxes...and legalize crime." But that's not what you told me. Let me guess, you're stoned and can't stay focused? Dude you know that smoking that shiznik will make you stupid? Or is it too late? Get a life troll.
I'm comfortable with being on the opposite side of this issue from you, Only-a-Bitch.
Other than u being a dick, what's the issue? Only a bitch? Boy that's some clever thinkin there Vern. What are you, 12? It's a B.C. Rich and I'm sure you have no clue what one is. Stupid troll.
Well I hope that people take note that the wife is a liar and not vote for her. If you don't know your husband smokes then you are not very aware of your surroundings and the people you keep around you. Who wants to vote for someone like that?
get a life already...
i HATE when that happens!
LaToya you don’t just get to throw you loved one under the bus like that. that shows your true colors.
Why would she lie to cover up her husband's drug crimes?
Who would take care of their children if they are BOTH in jail?
This only goes to show that YES people are that stupid.
This is going to make the A list for priceless moments if someone had a picture of it as it fell out infront of officers.
So will the look on the wifes face when she isn't elected to the council. LMAO
Regardless of our personal view, a lawyer and state's attorney are bound to uphold every law. If they don't they are subject to the same arrest/prosecution requirements as the rest of us. You can't pick and choose which laws you will abide by. If you don't like/agree with a law, then petition the legislative branch to change it.
If that actually worked marijuana would have been legalized 30 years ago.
Now if everybody was rich and could afford to buy off enough of Congress, yeah then you might see some change.