Politics & Government
DA Receives Grant For DUI Prosecutions
In 2011, six DUI-related homicide cases were filed in southwest Riverside County, up from one in 2010.
The Riverside County District Attorney's Office will use a $360,000 grant to prosecute drunken driving cases resulting in injury or death in southwest Riverside County.
The grant—from the California Office of Traffic Safety—was approved today by a 4-0 vote of the Board of Supervisors. The funds will be used to establish a specialized unit in the DA's southwest office.
"The southwest portion of Riverside County was chosen for the target area of this grant due, in part, to it being the fastest-growing region of the county, Temecula’s Wine Country being there, and several recent high-profile DUI-related homicides happening in the area," said District Attorney's Office Spokesperson John Hall, in a news release.
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According to District Attorney's Office documents, Deputy District Attorney David Tahan, with the help of senior District Attorney's Office Investigator Joseph Cristinziani, will lead the unit, handling all felony driving under the influence cases filed in the region.
In 2011, six driving under the influence-related homicide cases were filed in southwest, along with 64 other felony and 2,505 misdemeanor driving under the influence cases, according to Hall.
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Some of the DUI-related homicide cases in 2011 occurred in Murrieta.
In 2010, one driving under the influence murder case was filed in the region.
Grant funds will also support educational programs that emphasize the dangers of driving while under the influence of alcohol or drugs, including "Every 15 Minutes" seminars held at high schools and talks hosted by Mothers Against Drunk Driving.
Chairman John Tavaglione was absent for the vote.
