Standard Field Sobriety Tests
DUI Lawyers Serving the Richmond and Hinesville Areas
Motorists who are pulled over under suspicion of driving under the influence (DUI) will likely be asked to perform one or more standard field sobriety tests (SFST). Many drivers may not know that these tests are completely voluntary. Law enforcement may strongly imply mandatory participation, but you are not obligated to comply. Sobriety tests are not designed to allow you to prove your innocence, they are designed to give law enforcement information which they may be able to use against you. It is highly recommended that you do not submit to field sobriety tests under normal circumstances.
Standardized field sobriety tests include:
- Walk and turn test:The suspect is instructed to walk heel-to-toe in a straight line, turn around, and return in the same manner.
- One leg stand test: The suspect is instructed to balance on one foot for approximately 30 seconds while counting aloud.
- Horizontal gaze nystagmus test: The suspect is instructed to visually track an object (such as a pen) as it moves horizontally across their field of vision.
If you have taken or failed a SFST, contact the DUI lawyers at Balbo and Gregg, Attorneys at Law, PC immediately for a free case evaluation. We are former military prosecutors who know how to properly defend against SFST results. We proudly serve the Hinesville and Hinesville areas and possess more than two decades of combined experience helping people in your situation overcome field sobriety testing results.
It is not too late to act - call us at (866) 580-3089
Testing Does Not Indicate Intoxication
Standard field sobriety tests are designed to measure a driver’s level of impairment by measuring their coordination and bodily control. Despite the wide use of these tests by law enforcement, performance on SFSTs is not indicative of impairment or intoxication.
Standardized field sobriety tests can be inaccurate due to:
- Subjectivity:It is up to the administering officer to interpret your performance on SFSTs and determine your results. It is possible for an officer to overestimate a driver’s blood alcohol level (BAC) based solely on sobriety testing. In past cases, police video has shown persons suspected of DUI had passed sobriety testing which they were initially reported to have failed.
- Inaccuracy:The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has found that even with properly administered tests, results can be unreliable. According to NHSTA studies, the test with the best record, the horizontal gaze nystagmus test, produced false positive 23% of the time.
Field sobriety tests are not a reliable indicator of a driver’s impairment. Even with chemical testing, exact blood alcohol levels can be difficult to determine. If not properly defended against, the results of field sobriety tests can be a powerful tool for the prosecution. Prevent self-incrimination by limiting the amount of information freely given to law enforcement.
Charged with DUI? Call us Today!
If you have been accused of DUI due to a failed sobriety test, it is not too late to act. Our Hinesville and Hinesville DUI attorneys can fight accusations stemming from failed SFSTs by questioning the accuracy of tests and the conditions under which they were given. We know that this can be a stressful time in your life and our lawyers will work on your behalf to tirelessly defend your rights.
Call us at (866) 580-3089 for a free consultation.
