Tulare County Probation Department to Monitor High-Risk DUI Offenders

Tulare County Probation Department to Monitor High-Risk DUI Offenders

Felony and repeat misdemeanor DUI offenders are over represented in traffic crashes involving alcohol and other drugs, often with tragic results.  A $168,301 grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety (OTS) to the Tulare County Probation Department will ensure that the worst-of-the-worst offenders are complying with all court orders.

Tulare County Chief Probation Officer, Christie Myer, said “The intent of the Tulare County DUI Probation Supervision Program is to respond quickly and aggressively to felony DUI offenders through the assignment of full-time Probation Officers.”

The grant will fund Probation Department officials to intensely monitor drivers on probation for felony DUI or multiple misdemeanor DUI convictions.  Supervision for these high-risk offenders includes:

  • Developing and/or maintaining a “Hot Sheet” program to notify patrol and traffic officers to be on the lookout for identified repeat DUI offenders with a suspended or revoked license as a result of DUI convictions
  • Increasing the percentage of DUI probationers in compliance with court-ordered probation
  • Conducting unannounced home searches
  • Conducting random alcohol and drug testing
  • Utilizing special monitoring to ensure compliance with court-ordered DUI education and treatment programs

The Intensive Probation Supervision for High-Risk Felony and Repeat DUI Offenders grant is aimed at reducing the number of persons killed and injured in alcohol and other drug related collisions in the county.  In 2013, 20 were killed and 298 injured in such crashes in Tulare County.

“Overall, California’s roadways are among the safest in the nation,” said OTS Director Rhonda Craft.  “But to meet future mobility, safety, and accessible transportation objectives, we have to work very hard together to reach our common goal – zero deaths on our roadways.  The Office of Traffic Safety and the Tulare County Probation Department want to work with everyone to create a culture of traffic safety across county and the state."

Funding for the grant is from the California Office of Traffic Safety, through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.