The fight against impaired driving in California's Orange County just got a $2.8 million boost. The Orange County District Attorney's Office (OCDA) received this hefty grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety (OTS) to continue combating the menace of drugged and drunk drivers on the roads, a statement from the OCDA said.
With grant programs extending through September 2024, the OCDA snagged $1,303,250 for the Alcohol and Drug Impaired Driver Vertical Prosecution Program and an additional $1,539,354 for the California Traffic Safety Resource Prosecutor (TSRP) Training Network. These funds aim to sharpen the legal edge against DUI offenders, particularly those under the influence of drugs, which, while ride-sharing and public transit options abound, remain a stubborn scourge on public safety.
"Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs continues to be a major problem here on our Orange County roads and across California," Orange County District Attorney Todd Spitzer stated. "The OTS funding represent an unwavering commitment to safeguarding our community and giving law enforcement and prosecutors the tools they need to aggressively hold drugged and drunk drivers accountable. Enforcement and education are needed to ensure our roads are safe for everyone."
The training programs are not just local affairs. They have a state-wide reach; last year, they trained over 1,300 people in the art of prosecuting drugged driving cases. The TSRP, in particular, serves as a beacon, disseminating legal tactics and know-how among law enforcement, prosecutors, and toxicologists so they can better patrol and prosecute the specter of DUI. The OCDA has previously developed a multi-agency collaboration model for DUID prosecution and investigation, which has since served as a blueprint for a broader, more comprehensive statewide program.
The OCDA is not alone in pulling DUI offenders off the streets. A team of eight specialized DUID prosecutors, dedicated solely to these cases, works on the files from start to finish. This vertical approach is directed at producing attorneys with expertise laser-focused on DUI casework. The goal is not just to net and punish offenders but also to compile data that will reveal trends and improve both policing strategies and prosecutorial success.
In the past grant year alone, these vertical prosecutors, the OCDA revealed, have achieved more than 540 convictions in DUID and combination cases among the 550 charges they've laid out. These results, and the ongoing commitment captured by the latest grant, underscore the seriousness with which Orange County is tackling the issue.
