District attorney's office gets $863K grant for DUI prosecution

The Kern County District Attorney's Office received a $863,400 grant to fund a specialized team that prosecutes alcohol and drug impaired driving cases, it was announced Thursday.

The office received the funds from the California Office of Traffic Safety for the 13th year. The grant program runs through September 2025.

Last year the team filed more than 3,000 DUI cases, including more than 300 DUI drug cases and nearly 100 combined alcohol and drug cases, according to a DA's news release.

The team also works with the statewide Traffic Safety Resource Prosecutor Training Program to teach other prosecutors and investigators and collaborates with law enforcement agencies on handling DUI cases.

"Driving under the influence has left families heartbroken and children without parents," District Attorney Cynthia Zimmer said in a news release. "Our office is dedicated to making our roads safer and ensuring that those who choose to drive intoxicated are held fully accountable. We are grateful to the California Office of Traffic Safety for standing with us in this mission."

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