Field Sobriety Tests

Tallahassee DUI Attorney

At the law offices of Jansen and Davis, P.A., we provide representation to individuals in Tallahassee for a number of DUI-related issues, including field sobriety tests.  Field sobriety tests are way for a police officer to quickly determine whether or not a driver may be under the influence of alcohol while in the field.  In order to place someone under arrest for drunk driving, the police officer must first obtain probable cause.  If a person performs poorly during a field sobriety test, it will give the officer probable cause to suspect them of being intoxicated, and they will most likely be placed under arrest for DUI shortly thereafter.  

Although all field sobriety tests are not 100% accurate, there are certain standardized tests that will hold merit at court.  These include:

• Horizontal Gaze Nystagmus: The officer will position an object (such as a pen) 12 inches away from the driver's face, and move the object from side to side while watching the subject's eyes. The officer is looking for involuntary jerking or trembling of the eyeball. This jerking or trembling may be a sign that the subject has consumed an intoxicant.
• The Walk & Turn: The subject takes nine heel-to-toe steps along a line, turns, and takes nine heel-to-toe steps back. The officer is looking to see if the accused can keep their balance, follow instructions, begin early, stop during the test, leave space between heel and toe, step off the line, or lose balance while turning.
• The One Leg Stand: The accused is instructed to stand with heels together, arms at the side, then raise one leg six inches off the ground while counting out loud until the officer allows the accused to stop. The officer is looking for raising of the arms, swaying, hopping, putting the foot down, inability to stand still, body tremors, muscle tension, and any statements made by the accused during the test.

The accuracy of field sobriety tests is a topic that is frequently disputed in courtrooms across Florida.  Some individuals believe that even sober people sometimes have difficulty performing the actions of field sobriety tests.  If you performed a field sobriety test, you need an experienced Tallahassee DUI lawyer to make sure the results of this test will not be used as evidence to convict you of DUI. 

To learn more about field sobriety tests and how these may affect your case, contact a Tallahassee DUI Attorney at the law offices of Jansen and Davis, P.A. today!