New law will reduce arrests for misdemeanors in Kentucky

Under a new law designed to ease jail overcrowding, police officers will have to issue citations rather than make arrests for dozens of misdemeanors, as long as they believe the suspect is no danger to himself or others and will appear in court to answer the charge.
The law also reduces some felony drug charges to misdemeanors that require citations rather than arrest, such as second-degree possession of a controlled substance.
The changes were pushed by advocates who say there typically is no reason for people charged with misdemeanor crimes to spend time in jail, with taxpayers footing the bill.