How Medical Conditions Can Affect DUI Test Results in Vista

Posted on: December 10th, 2025 by Dod Law

How Medical Conditions Affect DUI Test

Getting pulled over for a DUI can be a frightening experience, especially when you know you haven’t been drinking or have been drinking very little. What many drivers don’t realize is that certain medical conditions can skew breathalyzer and field sobriety test results, potentially leading to false DUI charges. From diabetes to acid reflux, various health issues can create false positives or make you appear impaired when you’re not. Understanding how these conditions interact with DUI testing methods is essential for protecting your rights.

If you’re facing DUI charges in Vista and believe a medical condition contributed to your test results, Dod Law can help. Since 2004, our experienced criminal defense team has been serving San Diego County with aggressive representation for clients wrongly accused of impaired driving. As the 2023 Trial Lawyer of the Year, attorney Dod Ghassemkhani brings over two decades of experience defending Vista residents against DUI charges, including cases involving medical conditions that compromise test accuracy.

Can Medical Conditions Cause False Positive Breathalyzer Results?

Yes, several medical conditions can yield false-positive results on breathalyzer tests. Diabetes is one of the most common culprits, as diabetic ketoacidosis causes the body to produce acetone, which breathalyzers can mistake for alcohol. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, breath testing devices cannot always distinguish between alcohol and other compounds that people with diabetes naturally produce.

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and acid reflux can also compromise breathalyzer accuracy. When stomach acid containing small amounts of alcohol rises into the throat, the breathalyzer may register mouth alcohol rather than deep lung air, resulting in artificially elevated readings. That means someone who had one drink hours ago could register well above the legal limit simply because of their medical condition.

How Do Neurological Conditions Affect Field Sobriety Tests in Vista?

Neurological conditions present unique challenges during field sobriety tests administered by Vista law enforcement. Officers typically use standardized tests like the walk-and-turn and one-leg stand to assess impairment, but these tests assume normal neurological function.

Several conditions can make passing these tests impossible, regardless of sobriety:

• Multiple Sclerosis: Causes balance problems, muscle weakness, and coordination difficulties that mimic intoxication symptoms
• Parkinson’s Disease: Creates tremors, rigid movements, and balance issues that officers may interpret as impairment
• Epilepsy: Can cause confusion, disorientation, and physical symptoms resembling intoxication, particularly after seizure activity

Inner ear problems, vertigo, and other balance disorders can similarly make field sobriety tests unreliable. Vista drivers with these conditions may fail tests designed to detect impairment even when completely sober, leading to wrongful DUI arrests.

Should Vista Drivers Disclose Medical Conditions During DUI Stops?

While you have a right to remain silent, disclosing relevant medical conditions to Vista officers can be strategically important. Informing officers about diabetes, neurological disorders, or balance problems creates a documented record that your attorney can use later. However, you should provide this information carefully without admitting to drinking or drug use.

Consider carrying medical identification cards or wearing medical alert bracelets that identify your condition. This documentation becomes crucial evidence when challenging DUI charges based on false test results. Vista law enforcement should accommodate medical conditions during testing, but officers don’t always recognize how health issues affect test performance.

Can You Challenge Vista DUI Charges Based on Medical Conditions?

Absolutely. Medical conditions provide strong defenses against DUI charges when properly documented and presented. Your attorney can retain medical experts to explain how your specific condition affected test results. Hospital records, physician statements, and expert testimony can demonstrate that your symptoms stemmed from a medical issue rather than impairment.

Challenging DUI charges requires immediate action. Blood samples can be tested independently to verify the absence of alcohol or to show results inconsistent with breathalyzer readings. Medical records must be preserved before they’re purged from hospital systems. The sooner you contact an experienced Vista DUI attorney, the stronger your medical condition defense becomes.

Contact Our Vista Criminal Defense Team in Vista Today

Medical conditions affecting DUI test results require aggressive legal representation from attorneys who understand both the science of testing and the medical factors that compromise accuracy. Whether you have diabetes, neurological disorders, or respiratory issues that influenced your Vista DUI arrest, documented medical evidence can be the difference between conviction and dismissal. Don’t let a medical condition destroy your driving privileges and criminal record.

Dod Law has successfully defended countless Vista clients facing DUI charges complicated by medical conditions. Our team knows how to challenge breathalyzer results, field sobriety tests, and officer observations when medical issues are involved.

To schedule a free consultation with a member of our first-class legal team, call us today at our San Diego office (619) 814-5110 | Orange County office 949-681-7020  | Vista office 760-814-6025 | or schedule an appointment by filling out our online contact form