The CA Office of Traffic Safety awarded the DA’s Office $192,698 for its DUI program
(Woodland, CA) – November 16, 2021 – The California Office of Traffic Safety (OTS) recently awarded the District Attorney’s Office $192,698 for the continuation of its statewide recognized DUI program. The unit, which was formed in 2012, focuses on the prosecution and prevention of DUI cases, as well as outreach and law enforcement training. The program’s goal is to prevent impaired driving and reduce alcohol and drug-impaired traffic fatalities and injuries.
The Deputy District Attorneys that are assigned to the program prosecute the most serious and complex DUI cases, such as those involving injury and death, and those involving drug impairment. Deputy District Attorneys assigned to these cases handle them through all stages of the criminal process, from the time of the arrest through sentencing. They also focused closely on training law enforcement throughout California on DUI investigation. To date, close to 1,400 officers have been reached through DUI training by the Yolo County District Attorney’s OTS grant.
The program has also been very active in community outreach. The team has taken steps to be involved with local high schools, youth programs, UC Davis programs, local Greek organizations, and the Yolo County Citizen’s Academy. During the last three years the OTS program has focused on educating youths on the dangers of DUI, especially as it relates to drugs. Since beginning this program the Yolo County District Attorney’s Office has reached nearly every high school in the area with live DUI trials that are conducted in front of the students.
OTS Grant attorneys are currently prosecuting several DUI death cases, including two defendants who face murder charges. In one case, a West Sacramento couple was killed, and their two young were children injured, when an individual alleged to be driving under the influence of alcohol collided with the victims’ vehicle. In the second case, a cyclist was killed when a person alleged to be driving under the influence and with a suspended license struck the victim’s bicycle, then fled the scene. Both suspects are alleged to have been convicted of DUIs in the past. When an individual is convicted of a DUI, California courts require an advisement that states that “driving under the influence is a dangerous act that may kill or injure others.” If, after being convicted of a prior DUI with that advisement, the individual commits another DUI which results in the death of a person, that individual may be charged with murder.
District Attorney Jeff Reisig emphasized the continuing need to recognize the threat that DUIs pose to the public: “With an increasing number of DUIs nationwide over the last few years it is crucial that law enforcement agencies and District Attorney’s offices dedicate resources toward protecting unsuspecting victims from the destruction that DUI drivers leave both physically and emotionally on their victims and the victims’ families. Our OTS program allows us to be proactive in deterrence through education, but at the same time reactive through holding those accountable who break the law and put the public at risk.”
Funding for the program comes from a grant by the California Office of Traffic Safety, through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
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