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Field Sobriety Test
Field Sobriety Tests in Oakland County, MI
If you have been pulled over on suspicion of being intoxicated while driving, the police officer will most likely administer a field sobriety test. In Oakland County, MI, field sobriety tests are designed to let the police officer know if you are intoxicated or not. Failure of these tests can be used as probable cause for arrest and a DUI charge. Field sobriety tests are the beginning of the process and should not be taken lightly, as their failure can lead to a plethora of consequences. José Fanego is here to inform you about field sobriety tests so that you can be aware of how they work.
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Types of Field Sobriety Tests
The Horizontal Gaze Nystagmus Test
The horizontal gaze nystagmus test is a field sobriety test that focuses on the involuntary movements of your eyes. To perform the test, the officer moves an object around slowly while the person in question follows the object with their eyes. While the test is administered, the officer watches the eyes of the person being tested. The test focuses specifically on the jerking movement of the eyeball when it looks to the side. When a person is inebriated, this jerking movement becomes increasingly exaggerated. It is often extremely difficult for an inebriated person to follow an object with only their eyes.
The Walk-and-Turn Test
The walk-and-turn test is a test that measures a person’s ability to walk in a straight line. This test monitors a person’s mobility. When a person is inebriated, it becomes increasingly harder to walk in a straight line and hold themselves up properly. The walk-and-turn test also evaluates the person’s ability to follow simple directions. The law enforcement officer will be observing the performance of the person and their ability to listen and comply with the direction. Another skill that is tested is the person’s balance. An intoxicated person will fail the walk-and-turn test by not being able to walk straight, keep their balance, or follow directions.
The Standing One-Leg Test
When you are inebriated, your balance, concentration, and coordination are often negatively impacted. This means that those who are inebriated may find it quite difficult to stand on one leg. The standing one-leg test is another type of field sobriety test that measures a person’s motor skills. To perform the test, the law enforcement officer will ask the person in question to stand on one leg while keeping the other leg six inches off the ground. The person will be asked to do “thousand counts” until they reach 30 seconds of standing on one leg.
Field Sobriety Test Faults
Field sobriety tests are designed to identify whether a person is above the legal limit or not, but they are not always accurate. The tests do not take into consideration those who have physical impairments or medical conditions. The officers are trained to administer these tests correctly, but they are only human and can forget steps and procedures.
Failure of Field Sobriety Test
If you have been arrested and charged due to failure of a field sobriety test, you will need to contact our experienced criminal lawyer team as soon as possible. As soon as you call us, we will begin finding the best possible defense for your situation. We will gather all the evidence and see what we can work with and what we can get thrown out.
Other Roadside DUI Tests
In addition to the field sobriety tests, there are other roadside tests that a law enforcement officer can administer to you if they believe that you are operating a vehicle under the influence of drugs or alcohol. These tests include a preliminary breath test and a chemical test. The preliminary breath test is where the person in question will be asked to blow into a device that measures their blood alcohol content. Chemical testing uses a sample of your blood or urine to test for substances in your system. Refusing to take either of these tests can result in fines and other consequences.
Trust José Fanego to Help You Navigate Your Situation
In the event that you have been stopped and administered roadside field sobriety tests, you should contact our team as soon as you can. The charges that follow a field sobriety test in Oakland County, MI can be hefty and scary if you wait to handle them. Our experienced team can help you navigate your situation and get you the best possible outcome. Call us today to share your experience.
