Women Face Uphill Battle in DUI Court

When it comes to beating DUI charges, unfortunately, it’s still a man’s world. Skilled attorneys

can even the odds, helping women avoid unfair convictions based on flawed evidence.

Women face a greater risk of being arrested and convicted on DUI charges than men, thanks to

physiology and how field sobriety tests are conducted. Field sobriety tests are unfairly biased

against women, and they may result in arrests and convictions that are unjust and unfair. Women

in the Golden State facing DUI charges need an experienced California DUI defense lawyer with

thorough knowledge of the law regarding DUI evidence.

DUI & Women

Women process alcohol differently than men and will reach a higher BAC faster. Women’s

bodies have less water and more fat tissue than men, causing them to absorb alcohol more

quickly. Women also metabolize alcohol more slowly than men, as their bodies have less of the

ADH enzyme than men. Hormonal levels during the menstrual cycle also impact how women

metabolize alcohol.

Field sobriety tests given by law enforcement officers do not take into account the differences

between men and women’s bodies and, as a result, they often show overinflated BAC readings

for women.

For example, women will typically have the highest BAC levels during the premenstrual stage of

their cycle. This stage also results in increased body heat for women. The increased body heat

can skew breath sobriety tests, as these tests assume that the average temperature of exhaled

breath is 34 degrees Celsius. Temperatures over this average can result in false results, as each

degree temperature over 34 degrees Celsius skews the test upward by 6.9 percent.

How a California DUI Lawyer Can Help

In recent years, police have stepped up efforts to crack down on drunk driving. As a result, the

number of arrests of women on DUI charges has increased. This increase in the total number of

DUI arrests of women includes arrests that may be unfounded. The uptick in arrests has been

particularly pronounced in the Orange County/L.A area, thanks to its large population and

sizable police presence.

Experienced California DUI lawyers can help women avoid jail time and costly fines associated

with a DUI convictions. DUI lawyers with Law Office of Barry T. Simmons understand the

flaws of DUI testing, particularly when it comes to mistakes that can crop up when these tests are

applied to women. Using evidence and a firm knowledge of California law regarding driving

under the influence, experienced DUI attorneys can craft compelling, winning arguments that

will convince judges to throw out DUI charges.

A DUI can have a huge impact on a woman. It could threaten their career and ability to provide

for themselves and their families. It could also have child custody implications. DUI convictions

are also quite costly, as penalties and costs associated with a conviction, such as mandatory DUI

classes, are quite expensive. When women face DUI charges, they need experienced legal help

that can analyze evidence and present it in court to secure dismissal of charges or an acquittal.

Orange County DUI lawyer Barry T. Simmons wrote the book on DUI defense in this state and

can provide experienced, expert help to women seeking justice in California DUI courts.