Placer County, California is employing a multi-faceted program aimed at reducing recidivism in high-risk DUI offenders. The effort is funded with a than $225,000 grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety, and it has the support of local police and courts.
The key is intensive probation supervision. Those convicted of multiple California DUI arrests are subjected to psychological evaluations meant to help identify offenders most likely to drive drunk again. In addition to jail time, high fines and fees and victim restitution, high-risk offenders will face three to five years of formal supervision. They must complete alcohol abuse rehabilitation and submit to regular alcohol testing.
The grant funds a two-year pilot program that, to date, has reviewed the cases of more than 50 DUI offenders.
