San Rafael, CA – On Thursday, June 8, 2023, the Marin County Probation Department conducted countywide unannounced checks on local probationers who had previous convictions for driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Two probationers were discovered to be under the influence of alcohol and transported to detox for treatment.
Probation planned a sweep of 42 DUI offenders' residences to check on compliance with the terms of their probation. Five teams of Deputies from Marin County Probation and Coordination of Probation Enforcement (COPE) searched the homes of 24 convicted offenders; two were found violating court-ordered terms and conditions; the two noncompliant offenders have pending sanctions. Officers also utilized breathalyzers to determine any recent use of alcohol.
In June 2019, Probation was notified that it was one of the state Office of Traffic and Safety grant recipient for supervising high-risk DUI offenders. Probation has successfully met that grant's requirements, allowing the department to continue receiving funding.
Probation Chief, Marlon Washington and his staff have committed to DUI offender sweeps quarterly, unannounced probation searches, chemical testing, checks on interlock ignition devices, and encouraging treatment, which would be supervision's primary focus.