Home > Blog > The Political Nature of DUI Prosecutions in Los Angeles

The Political Nature of DUI Prosecutions in Los Angeles

How often do you hear that more needs to be done to fight DUI and drunk driving fatalities? The media constantly highlights tragic accidents involving intoxicated drivers, and understandably, it’s heartbreaking when someone is injured or killed.

As a Los Angeles DUI attorney, my job is to defend drivers accused of DUI. I firmly believe that most DUI cases can be fought—and won. Breathalyzers and chemical tests are not infallible; the science behind blood alcohol content (BAC) measurement is flawed, and people react differently to alcohol. Many DUI cases can be dismissed, whether through motions or at trial. However, in many cases, my role becomes damage control, where I present mitigating factors—such as depression, psychological conditions, addiction, or simple bad luck—to explain why my client made the decision to drive after drinking.

That being said, DUI prosecutions are highly political. The question remains: Why does drunk driving receive so much media attention? Is it really as severe a national crisis as we are led to believe?

Examining DUI Statistics

According to AlcoholAlert, there were 9,878 alcohol-related driving fatalities in the U.S. in 2011. More recent statistics suggest that 28 people die every day due to DUI-related accidents. Meanwhile, research from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) shows that 19% of all motor vehicle fatalities from 2008 to 2012 involved drivers with invalid licenses.

A crucial point to note: NHTSA considers a crash “alcohol-related” if at least one party involved—whether a driver, pedestrian, or cyclist—had a BAC of just 0.01% or higher. This means that even cases where a sober driver accidentally hits a drunk pedestrian are counted in the DUI fatality statistics. Likewise, accidents involving drivers with BACs as low as 0.01%–0.07% (which is not legally considered DUI in Los Angeles) are included in these figures. So why does NHTSA inflate the statistics by counting all alcohol-related accidents instead of only DUI-caused fatalities? The answer is clear: to make the problem appear worse than it is.

How Significant Are DUI-Related Deaths Compared to Other Causes?

Let’s assume, for argument’s sake, that every one of the 9,878 fatalities in the U.S. was caused by an impaired driver. How does that compare to other causes of death?

According to CDC statistics, in 2007, there were 2,423,712 total deaths in the U.S., meaning that DUI-related deaths made up just 0.4% of all deaths. Car accidents overall ranked fifth among the leading causes of death, but even within that category, DUIs were a fraction of the total. Here are the top five causes of death in the U.S.:

1. Heart Disease – 25.4%
2. Cancer – 23.2%
3. Stroke – 5.6%
4. Chronic Respiratory Disease – 5.3%
5. Unintentional Accidents (including car crashes) – 5.1%

Even if we assume DUI-related deaths are proportionate to the overall population, Los Angeles (with its 3.85 million residents) would see only about 185 DUI-related deaths per year or about 15 per month. While any loss of life is tragic, let’s compare:

• Falls cause 22,631 deaths per year—meaning 273 people in Los Angeles die from falls annually (22 per month), a significantly higher number than DUI deaths.
• Suicide rates are more than double DUI-related deaths. In Los Angeles, that means at least one person per day takes their own life—yet the media doesn’t focus nearly as much attention on mental health crises as it does on DUI prosecutions.

The reality is that alcohol-related deaths make up a tiny fraction of overall deaths. Each day, 685 people die from medical errors—25 times more than DUI fatalities! Yet, the public outcry against DUIs is disproportionately loud and you need the help of Los Angeles DUI Attorney to help you.

DUI Prosecutions: A Political Tool

So why the media obsession with DUIs? Because DUI cases are politically convenient for prosecutors.

1. DUI arrests often involve first-time offenders who have no criminal history and fully cooperate with law enforcement. This makes them easy targets for prosecution.
2. Most DUI defendants plead guilty, generating millions of dollars in fines and fees for the courts.
3. DUI investigations are low-risk, high-reward assignments for police officers. Unlike homicide or drug enforcement, DUI stops are easy and profitable—officers simply need to follow standard procedures and issue citations.

Despite being a victimless crime in many cases, DUIs are aggressively prosecuted because they are financially and politically beneficial for law enforcement and the court system. The media sensationalizes the issue, fueling public fear and justifying harsher penalties—even when statistics show DUI-related deaths are far less significant than many other causes of mortality.

The Bottom Line

We live in a society where DUI cases are blown out of proportion by politics and media narratives. If you’re arrested for DUI in Los Angeles, don’t expect prosecutors or judges to show you sympathy. You need an experienced Los Angeles DUI defense attorney on your side.

At Los Angeles DUI Attorneys, we know how to fight these charges, challenge flawed chemical tests, and protect your rights. Call us today for a free consultation—let’s work together to save your license and keep you out of jail.

(No Ratings Yet)

Loading...