San Rafael, CA – Marin County Probation Department officers conducted surprise checks Wednesday, September 22, on local probationers with previous convictions for driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Officers stopped at 22 residences to check on DUI offenders’ compliance with probation terms and made two arrests.
A probation officer fills out a booking form during the September 22, 2021, compliance check of past DUI offenders. Three teams of deputy probation officers and Coordination of Probation Enforcement (COPE) detectives searched the homes and/or vehicles of seven convicted offenders, and six were found in compliance with probation terms. Probation notices were left on the doors when no one was home, requesting that the offender contact their assigned probation officer.
Three offenders were found in violation of their terms and conditions of probation. One offender failed to provide a valid address, and officers are investigating the offender’s whereabouts before filing a probation petition to revoke. Two were arrested and booked into the Marin County Jail for substance use and driving with a suspended driver’s license. A court date is scheduled for both offenders to appear before the Marin County Superior Court for the violations.
“Alcohol consumption has increased during the pandemic for a multitude of reasons,” said Probation Chief Marlon Washington. “Probation’s focus on limiting alcohol related incidents continues to be a priority and in-person compliance checks are imperative.”
In addition to deputy probation officers conducting compliance checks throughout the evening, they assisted a community member whose vehicle had stalled in the middle of an intersection to avoid a potential collision.
In June 2019, County Probation was notified that it was a recipient of the Office of Traffic and Safety grant for supervision of high-risk DUI offenders. The grant funding empowers the department to provide quality-intensive supervision rather than having many of those convicted receiving minimal contact. Probation has been successful in meeting the requirements of that grant and allows it to continue to receive funding.
Probation has committed to DUI offender sweeps quarterly. Unannounced probation searches, chemical testing, checks on interlock ignition devices, and encouraging treatment are the main focus points of offender supervision.