Field Sobriety Test Defense in DUI Cases

DUI Attorneys in San Francisco, California

When a person is stopped, questioned and suspected of DUI (driving under the influence) they may be asked by a police officer to perform one or more field sobriety tests. These tests are a way for law enforcement to determine a person’s mental and physical agility skills. The officer will first ask a person to step outside of their motor vehicle onto a determined portion of the road for testing to begin. It is at the police officers sole discretion as to what test they believe should be administered.

The following is a list of standardized field sobriety tests:

• The Horizontal Gaze Nystagmus Test: A person must follow a stimulus with their eyes. The police officer will then begin observing for any jerking movements of the eyes. It is said that when a person’s eyes begin jerking immediately the hire the intoxication levels.

• The Walk and Turn Test: A person will be instructed to stand on a straight line for this test and then be instructed to take nine steps forward and then nine steps backwards. If a person starts to soon, stops to soon, sways, has balance issues, stops while walking, is unable to touch heel-to-toe, unable to turn correctly, uses arms to balance, steps off the line or are unable to follow instructions correctly they can be charged with DUI.

• The One Leg Stand Test: A person must raise one foot about 6 inches off the ground for 30 seconds with arms down and at their side.  The police officer will then look for swaying, inability to stand still and other signs of intoxication.

Field Sobriety Tests Attorneys in San Francisco, California

The following are field sobriety tests that were once standard but now rarely administered:

• Reciting the Alphabet
• Counting Backwards
• Finger to Nose Test
• Rhomberg Balance Test
• Hand-Pat Test
• Finger-Tap Test

San Francisco DUI Defense Lawyers

There are many well-known legal problems that exist with field sobriety tests. Some of which may include poor instructions, improper administration by law enforcement, poor weather conditions, nervousness, along with several other issues. You should contact a San Francisco field sobriety tests lawyer at our firm immediately to discuss the many DUI defenses that may be used if you were administered any type of field sobriety test for DUI.

A San Francisco field sobriety tests attorney at our firm can look over the circumstances of your San Francisco DUI arrest with you to determine what the next legal step should be.

Were you administered a field sobriety test for DUI? Contact us today!