The Sacramento County District Attorney’s Office has received a $291,000 grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety (OTS) for the “DUI/DUID Misdemeanor Prosecution, Education and Outreach” program, which aims to reduce driving under the influence (DUI) and driving under the influence of drugs (DUID) offenses.

Funding for this program was provided by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety, through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

OTS ranked Sacramento County 12th out of the state’s 58 counties in victims killed and injured from alcohol involved crashes in 2020.  The number of DUI/DUID cases that are filed by the Sacramento County DA’s Office is significant. In 2022, the office filed more than 9,200 DUI and/or DUID charges.

This grant funds a specialized prosecutor who will be responsible for misdemeanor DUI/DUID cases. The prosecutor will also mentor newly appointed deputy district attorneys on the successful prosecution of DUI/DUID cases and conduct roundtable discussions and trainings for law enforcement agencies on new DUI/DUID laws and investigation techniques.

Another grant component is community outreach on DUI/DUID prevention.  The grant prosecutor will participate in several education programs for adults and youth, including the DA’s Citizens Academy and Youth Academy, as well as the Real DUI Court in Schools program hosted by Arrive Alive, CA.  Outreach will also include office podcasts on DUI/DUIDs and the distribution of informational materials to those charged with DUI/DUID offenses in an effort to prevent recidivism.

“Impaired driving remains a significant danger to other people traveling on roads, particularly with drivers suspected of operating a vehicle under the influence of both alcohol and drugs,” said OTS Director Barbara Rooney. “By focusing specifically on holding individuals accountable for impaired driving, we can make the roads safer for everyone.”

“The Sacramento region has experienced the devastating impact alcohol and drug-impaired driving collisions have on the victims, surviving family and the entire community,” said District Attorney Thien Ho.  “With ongoing support from OTS, we will continue to dedicate an experienced prosecutor to hold DUI and DUID offenders accountable, reduce recidivism and  prevent future victims through community education programs.”