What You Need to Know About Field Sobriety Tests and Your DUI Defense
If you're stopped by law enforcement and suspected of driving under the influence (DUI) in Arizona, one of the tools they may use to determine your level of impairment is a field sobriety test. These tests are often used to gather evidence that can either support or challenge the DUI charges against you.
However, field sobriety tests aren’t foolproof, and many factors could potentially influence your performance, making them unreliable in certain situations. It’s essential to understand how field sobriety tests work, the factors that can impact them, and how they might be used in your defense if you’re facing DUI charges.
At The 928 Law Firm in Flagstaff and Page, Arizona, we understand the challenges of defending against DUI charges. With the help of our experienced DUI defense attorneys, you can stand up for your rights and explore possible ways to challenge your field sobriety test during your DUI defense.
What Are Field Sobriety Tests?
Field sobriety tests are a series of physical and mental exercises administered by a law enforcement officer to determine whether a driver is impaired by alcohol or drugs. These tests are meant to measure the driver’s coordination, balance, and ability to follow instructions.
There are three standardized tests commonly used by police officers in Arizona, known as the Standardized Field Sobriety Tests, which are designed to provide the most reliable evidence of impairment. These include the following:
The horizontal gaze nystagmus (HGN) test: This test involves the officer asking you to follow a moving object, typically a pen or flashlight, with your eyes. The officer will observe any involuntary jerking or twitching of the eyes, which can indicate impairment.
The walk-and-turn test: The officer will ask you to walk a straight line, heel-to-toe, for a set number of steps, then turn and walk back in the same manner. Officers look for signs of unsteadiness, swaying, or the inability to follow directions.
The one-leg stand test: The officer will ask you to stand on one leg while holding the other leg off the ground for a specific period. They will observe you for signs of imbalance, such as hopping or using their arms for support.
While these tests are meant to be objective, they aren’t always accurate indicators of impairment. Many factors, including medical conditions, age, weight, fatigue, or even the weather, can affect a person's performance.
How Are Field Sobriety Tests Used in DUI Cases?
Field sobriety tests are often a key component in DUI cases. They’re typically administered after an officer has already determined that there is reasonable suspicion that a driver may be under the influence of alcohol or drugs. The results of these tests may serve as evidence of impairment and can help the officer decide whether to arrest the individual for DUI.
However, it’s important to remember that field sobriety tests are just one piece of evidence in a DUI case. The officer may also rely on other factors, such as the driver’s behavior, appearance, or speech, to build their case. While field sobriety test results can be used as evidence, they aren’t definitive proof of intoxication.
In many DUI cases, there is room for challenge, especially when field sobriety tests have been administered improperly or if other factors may have influenced the results, which is why it is important to get help from a skilled DUI defense attorney.
How to Challenge Field Sobriety Test Results
Field sobriety tests aren’t always reliable. There are several reasons why you may be able to challenge the results of a field sobriety test in your DUI defense. If you believe that the results of your field sobriety tests were influenced by factors other than impairment, your DUI defense attorney can help challenge them in court. Some of the ways a defense attorney may work to discredit the results of a field sobriety test include the following:
Question the administration of the tests: If the officer didn’t follow the proper procedure, such as not explaining the tests correctly or performing them in an unsafe environment, your attorney can argue that the results are unreliable. Any deviations from the standard protocol could weaken the prosecution's case.
Highlight external factors: Your attorney may emphasize factors like weather conditions, road conditions, or lighting that could have affected your ability to perform the tests accurately. This can help raise reasonable doubt about whether the tests were a valid measure of impairment.
Presentation of medical evidence: If you have a medical condition that could have interfered with your ability to perform the field sobriety test, your attorney can present this evidence to explain why you may have failed the tests despite not being under the influence.
Prove officer error: Your attorney can investigate whether the officer administering the tests was adequately trained and qualified. If the officer failed to follow the appropriate procedures or administered the tests incorrectly, you could challenge the results.
Field sobriety tests are an important piece of evidence in a DUI case, but they aren’t definitive proof of impairment. A skilled DUI defense attorney can analyze every aspect of the arrest and work to challenge the validity of the tests to protect your rights.
Other Evidence Used in DUI Cases
Field sobriety tests are an important part of DUI cases, but they aren’t the only evidence that law enforcement and prosecutors use to build their case. Other forms of evidence that can be used include breathalyzer and blood tests, witness testimony, and dashcam or bodycam footage.
Chemical tests like breathalyzer tests and blood alcohol content (BAC) tests are commonly used to measure the amount of alcohol or drugs in a person’s system. These tests provide more objective evidence of impairment, but they can also be challenged, particularly if there are issues such as improper calibration of equipment or problems with sample collection.
Witness testimony can also play a significant role. Eyewitnesses who observed the traffic stop or the driver’s behavior before the arrest can offer valuable knowledge into the case. Testimony from passengers in the vehicle or bystanders who saw the driver can be crucial in establishing whether the driver appeared impaired.
Additionally, many police officers now use body cameras or dashcams in their patrol vehicles, which can provide footage of the driver’s behavior, including their movements, speech, and appearance before and during the traffic stop. This footage can serve as significant evidence, giving a clearer picture of the circumstances surrounding the arrest.
In DUI cases, all evidence needs to be carefully evaluated for its reliability and validity. DUI defense attorneys can challenge the accuracy of this evidence and identify any weaknesses in the prosecution’s case to help build a strong defense.
Contact The 928 Law Firm Today
At The 928 Law Firm, our experienced attorneys believe that every DUI case requires careful attention and a thorough defense. Whether you’re facing DUI charges or looking to challenge a field sobriety test result in court, our firm is here to help.
With offices in Flagstaff and Page, Arizona, we serve clients in Sedona, Grand Canyon Junction, Tuba City, Kingman, Prescott, and throughout Coconino County, Yavapai County, Mohave County, and Maricopa County. Reach out today to schedule a consultation.