Santa Ana DUI Lawyer

Understanding Field Sobriety Tests

When first getting pulled over on suspicion that you are driving under the influence, it is likely that you will be subjected to several tests from the law enforcement involved to check whether or not you are indeed under the influence. Some of the most widely used tests at a time such as this are known as field sobriety tests, however, they are not really "tests" at all. Instead, they are highly subjective and can be prone to human error - especially if the police officer administering them is not properly trained.

For this reason, if you have recently been charged with a DUI from a failed field sobriety test, it is absolutely vital that you do not hesitate to contact an aggressive criminal defense attorney. By working with a lawyer well-versed in this area of the law, you can take the necessary steps towards combating the evidence being held against you.

What Are the Most Common Field Sobriety Tests?

There are three separate field sobriety tests that are most widely used as they are standardized. These, however, are still prone to error and are not completely fool proof. These tests include the following:

• Horizontal and Vertical Gaze: This test includes the officer placing an object (such as a pen) about a foot away from the face of the driver. They will then move the object while observing the motion of the eyes. Any twitching and involuntary motion will be noted.
• One Leg Stand: The driver will be told to stand with their arms at their side while raising one foot six inches off the ground. Any loss of balance or swaying will be noted.
• Walk and Turn: During this test, the driver will be instructed to walk nine steps in a row with heel-to-toe in a straight line before turning and walking back. Any inability to follow explicit directions and loss of balance will be noted.

At Aguilar & Sonnonstone, APC, our legal team has years of experience in combating the evidence provided in tests such as field sobriety tests, blood tests and breath tests. We know how to combat the tests with comprehensive and thorough legal footwork - you can trust that if you work with us that we will do everything in our power to protect your rights.

Contact a Santa Ana DUI Attorney at (800) 357-7670 to learn more about how we can fight a failed field sobriety test.