| In most states, if you are suspected of drunk driving, | | | | the DUI Field Sobriety Tests If you are stopped by |
| you must take a blood alcohol content test such as a | | | | police the officer may ask you to take a field sobriety |
| breathalyzer when asked to do so by police or face | | | | test such as the one-leg-stand, finger-to-nose or the |
| very harsh penalties. But police must have reasonable | | | | nystagmus test which involves the officer shining a |
| suspicion that you have been drinking before they can | | | | flash light in your eyes and looking for erratic eye |
| ask you to take a BAC test. To establish reasonable | | | | motion. These tests have just one purpose, to give the |
| suspicion police use a range of questions and DUI | | | | officer the reasonable suspicion he or she needs to |
| pre-screening or field sobriety tests. You are not | | | | require you to take a BAC test. You have almost no |
| required to answer the questions or to participate in | | | | chance of passing these tests. Some of them, like the |
| any of the tests. If you do go along with these tests | | | | one-leg-stand, could be difficult for a trained athlete to |
| you are only giving the officer the reasonable suspicion | | | | perform perfectly and your pass or fail grade rests |
| he or she needs to require you to take a BAC test. | | | | not with a panel of judges but entirely with the police |
| Refuse to Have a Nice Chat and Avoid a DUI Test | | | | officer. You are not required to perform these tests |
| One of the simplest ways for police to get the | | | | and you should politely refuse to do so without getting |
| reasonable suspicion they need to administer a BAC | | | | drawn into a conversation with the officer. Don't make |
| test is to just ask you if you have had anything to | | | | excuses for not taking the test, just refuse. The most |
| drink. Do not admit to having had even one drink. If you | | | | important point to remember is that if you are charged |
| do, that's reasonable suspicion. The officer may also | | | | with a DUI offence and the case ends up in court the |
| ask you where you have been and what you've been | | | | officer must be able to justify requiring you to take the |
| doing. This may seem very innocent but if you admit to | | | | BAC test. Don't give the police extra ammunition by |
| having been out with friends or attending a sports | | | | talking too much or taking a field sobriety test that is all |
| event or being anywhere where alcohol is commonly | | | | but impossible to pass. |
| served you have given the officer reasonable | | | | A DUI charge is serious and should be handled by a |
| suspicion. You are not required to answer these | | | | qualified DUI attorney. Get detailed information on |
| questions or to have a friendly chat with police. Refuse | | | | specialized drunk driving lawyers in your area. |