LAKE COUNTY >> Those arrested for DUI in Lake County, especially repeat offenders and those involved in fatal or injury crashes, can expect to face highly trained, specialized prosecutors thanks to a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety (COTS). The $228,737 grant to the Lake County District Attorney”s Office (LCDA) will fund a “Vertical Prosecution” team that will work cases from arrest through sentencing.
Funding from this grant will aid the LCDA in handling cases throughout each step of the criminal process, prosecuting both alcohol and drug-impaired driving cases. In fatal and major injury DUI vehicle collisions, members of the team may respond to the crash scene to be part of the investigation.
Prosecution team members will work with the State”s Traffic Safety Resource Prosecutor Program to expand knowledge and resources in the office by obtaining and delivering specialized training, including training in the emerging problem of drug-impaired driving. Team members will share information with peers and law enforcement personnel throughout the county and across the state.
The purpose of the program is to prevent impaired driving and reduce alcohol and drug-impaired traffic fatalities and injuries. In 2012 there were five deaths and 55 serious injuries as a result of Alcohol DUI collisions in Lake County.
“California”s roadways are still among the safest in the nation,” said COTS Director Rhonda Craft. “But to meet future mobility, safety, and sustainability objectives, we must create safer roadways for all users. The LCDA will be using these and other resources to reach the vision we all share – Toward zero deaths, every one counts.”
Funding for the program comes from a grant by COTS, through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
