FRESNO COUNTY – The specialized prosecution team that handles driving under the influence cases for Fresno County will be able to continue its work for the next year thanks to an influx of state funding.
The Fresno County District Attorney’s Office announced on Nov. 14 that it received a $705,000 grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety (OTS) to support the team that is dedicated to alcohol- and drug-impaired driving cases that result in major injuries or fatal crashes. The grant program will run through September 2026.
“We are grateful for this continued partnership with OTS, which allows us to hold impaired drivers accountable and keep our community safer,” Fresno County DA Lisa Smittcamp said in a press release.
The DUI prosecution team will partner with the statewide Traffic Safety Resource Prosecutor Training Program to train prosecutors and investigators, as well as collaborate with law enforcement agencies on best practices for managing DUI cases, the press release said.
Funding for the program comes through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. According to Fresno County, this is the 22nd consecutive year the DA’s office has received this OTS funding. In 2024, the prosecution team filed 221 DUI cases, including 14 DUI drug cases and 12 combined alcohol and drug cases. Sixteen cases involved fatal crashes.
“Impaired driving remains a serious and persistent threat on our roadways, especially when individuals drive under the influence of both alcohol and drugs,” Smittcamp said. “This funding strengthens our ability to pursue justice for victims, improve roadway safety and ensure these cases are handled with the highest level of expertise.”