| When officers pull a driver over for suspicion of driving | | | | well you passed the tests. Your DUI lawyer has a |
| under the influence (drinking and driving), the first thing | | | | fighting chance if you don't do the tests than if you do. |
| they'll want to do is conduct a field sobriety test. A field | | | | If the DUI attorney you hire is able to fight your arrest, |
| sobriety test has several little tests that officers like to | | | | any evidence that was gained afterward will be |
| do such as: | | | | inadmissible in a court of law. |
| - Balancing on one foot | | | | If you surrender and take the field sobriety tests, it's |
| - Follow a light with the eyes | | | | one of the main ways you'll hurt your case. Field |
| - Reciting the alphabet backwards | | | | sobriety tests are quite unreliable because even sober |
| - Walk in straight line | | | | people with certain kinds of disabilities and/or |
| Any of these tests that the officer gives does not help | | | | impairments would be unable to complete them all |
| a suspect who is suspected of DUI. In fact, people | | | | without failing. The majority of these tests are |
| don't realize it but these tests are designed to build a | | | | conducted alongside a busy highway or street, making |
| case against them. Don't let this happen to you. | | | | it even more difficult for a sober person to |
| The majority people assume that the best way not to | | | | concentrate and pass. |
| go to jail is to do as the officer instructs them. | | | | The officer has total authority over your arrest once |
| However, when you're stopped for a DUI, the last thing | | | | you have completed the field sobriety test. His/her |
| you should do is everything the officer tells you. For | | | | judgment is usually based on a personal opinion of |
| instance, you do need to step from your vehicle, when | | | | your character and performance and the belief that |
| asked. When you're asked to do the field sobriety | | | | you are indeed drunk. Millions of people believe that the |
| tests, it's your right to decline. Be sure you do this | | | | field sobriety test was designed for failure. There are |
| politely. Most people assume that these are required | | | | certain manners in which these tests should be given |
| by law to do; they're not and can ruin your chances of | | | | but there are very few police officers who tend to |
| fighting a DUI conviction. Regardless of what you hear, | | | | follow them. An experienced DUI lawyer can have |
| your license will not be suspended for refusing to take | | | | these results thrown out of court. |
| the test. All it does is give the officer less evidence to | | | | If you've been arrested for DUI, the first call you need |
| provide to the court. | | | | to make is to a DUI lawyer as soon as you can. |
| Remember that a field sobriety test doesn't prove | | | | Before you give the state and prosecutors anymore |
| your intoxication level. The test is a tool to determine | | | | evidence, you should be conscious of your rights and |
| probable cause for arresting you. Refusal to take the | | | | your legal counsel can help you in this regard. If you've |
| test will make the officer rely on his/her judgment of | | | | taken the field sobriety test already, see if your legal |
| observations to arrest you for DUI. If the officer feels | | | | counsel can have them thrown out in court. |
| you are intoxicated, you'll be arrested no matter how | | | | |