District Attorney’s Crime Laboratory receives grant to improve testing for drunk driving cases

For release on November 19, 2024 

CONTACT: 

Ian Fitch
Crime Laboratory Director
(408) 808-6999
[email protected]

District Attorney’s Crime Laboratory receives grant to improve testing
 for drunk driving cases 

The Santa Clara County District Attorney’s Office has been awarded a $410,000 state grant by the California Office of Traffic Safety that will improve the forensic blood alcohol testing capabilities of the DA’s Crime Laboratory. 

The tests are the most common way to legally assess if drivers are illegally driving while intoxicated. In 2023, the DA’s Office filed 3,770 DUI cases.

“Whether testing instruments or trial work, we must always push to even better protect the families of Silicon Valley,” District Attorney Jeff Rosen said. “Our streets are for soccer parents, commuters, school buses, and work trucks, not drunk drivers.” 

The new grant will be used to:

• Purchase new analytical instruments with updated technology that can replace existing aging tools.
• Support the laboratory through training and equipment.

Funding for this program was provided by a grant from the California OTS, through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. The grant program will run through September 30, 2025.

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