San Rafael, CA -- Those arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs in Marin County, especially repeat offenders and those involved in fatal or injury crashes, can expect to face highly trained, specialized prosecutors, funded by a $174,222 grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety (OTS). The grant to the Marin County District Attorney’s Office will fund a Vertical Prosecution team that will work cases from arrest through conviction and sentencing.
“As evidenced by the impressive results obtained by our Vertical DUI Prosecution Team over the past few years, it is clear that the DUI Prosecution Grant has provided the Marin County District Attorney’s Office with the necessary financial means to successfully prosecute serial DUI drivers and to keep Marin highways and streets safe for all drivers and pedestrians," said District Attorney Edward Berberian. "By renewing our grant funding for the upcoming fiscal year, the Office of Traffic Safety has allowed us to continue this important public safety program."
In 2014 there were five deaths and 115 serious injuries as a result of DUI crashes in the Marin County.
Funding from the DUI Prosecution Grant will aid the District Attorney’s Office in handling cases through each step of the criminal process from crash scene to sentencing, prosecuting both alcohol and drug-impaired driving cases.
Prosecution team members will work with California’s Traffic Safety Resource Prosecutor Training Network to expand knowledge and resources in the office by obtaining and delivering specialized training, including the emerging problem of drug-impaired driving. Team members will share information with peers and law enforcement throughout the county and state.
“Vertical prosecution teams working serious DUI cases get the positive results needed,” said OTS Director Rhonda Craft. “The Marin County District Attorney’s Office, with assistance from the Office of Traffic Safety, will be working to help keep the streets across Marin County safe for everyone.”
While alcohol remains the worst offender for DUI crashes, Marin County supports the new effort from OTS that aims to drive awareness that “DUI Doesn’t Just Mean Booze.” Prescription medications and marijuana can also be impairing by themselves, or in combination with alcohol, and can result in a DUI arrest.
Funding for the program comes from a grant by the California Office of Traffic Safety, through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.