HUNTLEY – A resident caught with a marijuana pipe or a stolen cellphone soon could face a lesser penalty and avoid having it scar his permanent record under a proposal under consideration by the Huntley Village Board.

The proposal would give Huntley police the option to issue a village fine instead of a state misdemeanor charge for minor violations including drug paraphernalia, theft and theft of lost or mislaid property.

The changes are meant to save police time processing violations and gives first-time offenders a chance to avoid a criminal record, Deputy Chief Michael Klunk said.