Field Sobriety Tests
Brandon DUI Defense Lawyer
Challenging field sobriety test results is often a part of building an effective DUI defense. When a person is pulled over for suspected DUI (driving under the influence) the law enforcement officer will typically ask the driver to exit the vehicle and perform certain tests that will gauge whether the driver's normal abilities are impaired. These tests are called field sobriety tests and may include different actions that test balance, coordination and an ability to follow directions. There are three standardized field sobriety tests that are typically performed in Brandon:
- Walk and turn - walk 9 steps in a straight line, heel to toe, and then 9 steps in the other direction
- One leg stand - stand with one leg raised off the ground, possibly while counting
- Horizontal gaze nystagmus - follow an object with the eyes (the officer will be looking for a side-to-side jerking movement of the eyes)
If you or someone you know was arrested for DUI in Brandon, Florida and you have questions about how you can challenge these charges and also protect your driver's license, contact an attorney at Thomas & Paulk. We have more than two decades of legal experience and are former prosecutors, meaning we have the knowledge and resources to work toward the best possible resolution to your case.
Challenging a Field Sobriety Test
There are different ways a Brandon DUI defense lawyer may be able to challenge a field sobriety test. We may interview the officer or cross-examine him or her in court to uncover discrepancies with how the test was administered and how it is supposed to be conducted. We may discover that the test was not administered properly or that the officer did not properly grade the driver's results. We may also find that an outside influence impacted the driver's ability to perform well on a field sobriety test. Weight, age, illness, physical injury and even the shoes the driver was wearing may all affect his or her ability to perform a field sobriety test.
Contact a
Brandon DUI attorney
at Thomas & Paulk to learn more about challenging your field sobriety tests and therefore your drunk driving charges.