Confronting the Challenges of a Field Sobriety Test

Drunk driving charges are more than just minor inconveniences – they are major legal issues for Pennsylvania residents. As many readers know, a DUI conviction can result in a host of serious sanctions, which may include paying fines, losing one’s license, or even spending time in jail. It is always best to seek independent advice to understand how best to handle one’s own allegations of drunk driving.

Last week this criminal defense legal blog discussed some of the ways that drivers may be able to challenge the DUI charges that have been made against them. Drunk driving charges require evidence to prove, and in some cases arresting officers may use evidence from field sobriety tests to show why they determined they were justified to arrest suspected drunk drivers.

Field sobriety tests are sometimes called roadside sobriety tests because they are performed next to the roads where alleged drunk drivers are pulled over. They often include assessments that force drivers to balance, use coordination, and move naturally. When drivers deviate from what is normal, their actions may show signs of inebriation.

Common field sobriety tests may include the walk and turn test, horizontal gaze nystagmus test, and one leg stand test. Officers who administer these tests should be trained on how to explain and score them, and when they fail to conform to standard procedures their results may be faulty. Faulty field sobriety tests can turn into wrongful arrests for DUI, and drivers should be aware of their options for confronting their charges.

This post does not offer any legal advice and should be read as informational in content. Different factors may influence the outcomes of different alleged DUI cases. When individuals have questions about their legal rights, they may wish to speak with their own criminal defense attorneys.