Tampa DUI Defense Lawyer

Challenging Field Sobriety Tests

When a law enforcement officer pulls a driver over to the side of the road because he or she suspects the driver of being intoxicated, the officer will likely ask the driver to step out of the vehicle and perform one or more field sobriety tests. The officer will first ask for the driver's license and registration and will observe the driver for outward signs that may indicate that he or she is drunk or under the influence of a controlled substance. Bloodshot eyes, slurred speech and the smell of alcohol are all considered to be indicators of intoxication. The officer may also ask the driver questions about what he or she has had to drink, where he or she was going, etc. Depending on the officer's observations and any statements made by the driver, the officer may then administer field sobriety tests.

Did you submit to field sobriety tests after being pulled over for DUI (driving under the influence) in Tampa? Make sure you involve an attorney who can help you challenge results of these tests, the breath test or blood test and any other aspect of your charges. A Tampa DUI defense lawyer can review the manner in which field sobriety tests were conducted, investigating these from every angle to determine whether they were administered or graded improperly.

"Failed" field sobriety tests? A Tampa DUI attorney can help.

Field sobriety tests include various tests that gauge a driver's coordination, balance and ability to follow instructions. The three "standardized" field sobriety tests most commonly used in Tampa and throughout the U.S. include:

• Walk and turn - walk 9 steps in one direction, heel to toe, turn around and walk 9 steps in the opposite direction. Gauges balance and ability to follow instructions, as well as coordination.
• One leg stand - stand with feet together and arms at your sides, with one leg lifted approximately 6 inches off the ground. Gauges balance, coordination and ability to follow instructions.
• Horizontal gaze nystagmus - follow an object or light with your eyes. The officer will be looking for an involuntary side-to-side jerking movement in the eyes, which is said to be an indicator of intoxication.

With our experience in this field, our team understands how to challenge the different types of field sobriety tests. Even when administered by the book, they are not 100% accurate. Let us prove this to seek a positive result to your drunk driving charges.

Contact a Tampa DUI Attorney at our law firm today.