When the police pull you over on suspicion of drunk driving, one of the first steps they may take is to administer field sobriety tests. These tests consist of a series of physical and cognitive exercises used to assess whether a driver is impaired by alcohol. Some examples of field sobriety tests include closing your eyes and touching your nose with your finger, walking in a straight line and turning, standing on one leg and reciting the alphabet.
Failing a field sobriety test can lead to an arrest, as it provides the officer with probable cause to take you into custody and conduct further chemical tests to measure your blood alcohol concentration (BAC). While your test results do not automatically mean you will be convicted of driving under the influence (DUI), they can be used as evidence against you in court.
You can challenge field sobriety test results
Field sobriety tests are subjective and can be influenced by various factors such as medical conditions, nervousness or even poor instructions from the officer administering the test. Therefore, you can contest the accuracy and reliability of the results by providing evidence justifying your performance.
You may, for instance, present medical documentation if you have a condition that affects your balance and coordination or dashcam footage showing the testing environment and any potential factors that could have influenced the outcome.
Successfully challenging field sobriety test results can significantly alter the trajectory of your drunk driving charge. For starters, it could mean your arrest was unlawful, and any evidence obtained from the illegal arrest may be inadmissible in court. This can considerably weaken the prosecution’s case against you.
Reaching out for legal guidance when facing a DUI charge can help identify and make the most of such defense strategies applicable to your situation. This can help lead to a more favorable outcome.