LA City Attorney’s Office receives $1.3M grant to help prosecute impaired drivers
The Los Angeles City Attorney’s Office has received a $1.3 million state grant to help prosecute drunk and drug-impaired drivers, officials announced today.
The funding from the California’s Office of Traffic Safety (OTS) will support attorneys in the Driving Under the Influence Drugs Unit through September 2026. The unit handles criminal cases involving impaired driving and works with the statewide Traffic Safety Resource Prosecutor Training Program to assist prosecutors, investigators and law enforcement agencies with best practices.
Los Angeles has received the annual grant for 14 consecutive years, according to City Attorney Hydee Feldstein Soto’s office.
“Through focused prosecution efforts and strong partnerships, we are working toward a future where all people will be safe on California roads,” OTS Director Stephanie Dougherty said in a statement. “Together, we’re holding impaired drivers accountable and encouraging safe, responsible choices that help build a culture where safety comes first.”
Officials with the L.A. City Attorney’s Office reported that from Oct. 1, 2024, to Sept. 30, 2025, city attorneys filed 4,844 cases involving drivers allegedly under the influence of alcohol, drugs or a combination of both.
“Driving under the influence is one of the key crime that my office prosecutes. We have filed approximately 99% of the DUI cases referred to us by law enforcement over the past two years,” Feldstein Soto said in a statement.
Feldstein Soto expressed her gratitude for the partnership between her office and OTS.
“Their collaboration helps us hold accountable those who carelessly and recklessly get behind the wheel when they are impaired,” Feldstein Soto said.
City officials urged residents and visitors to use public transit, designate a sober driver or use a rideshare service if they plan to drink or use drugs while celebrating the new year.
LA Metro is offering free service on all trains and buses until 3 a.m. Thursday.