Understanding Field Sobriety Tests

Get Informed with Our DUI Attorneys in Paulding County

There are numerous legal professionals who can represent you on charges of driving under the influence, but when you face penalties including a driver's license suspension, steep fines, insurance rate increases and even being sent to jail, you owe it to yourself to find one who is especially well-prepared to take on the case.

Our Paulding County DUI lawyers at Henrickson & Sereebutra have been certified by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration for having completed a course for DUI detection and administration of the standardized field sobriety tests which were developed by the NHTSA. We know how to evaluate this type of evidence for its strengths and weaknesses, and might be able to effectively challenge the test results in your case.

Challenging Field Sobriety Test Evidence in DUI Cases

The standardized NHTSA test battery consists of three components: the one-leg stand, the walk-and-turn, and the horizontal-gaze nystagmus. Each of them is designed to detect drivers who are under the influence of alcohol to the degree that they are unsafe to drive a vehicle, but none of them are fool-proof. They do not provide scientific evidence but depend largely on the subjective opinion of the testing officer.

Even if you are able to perform the FST well, it does not exonerate you from a DUI charge. Field sobriety tests may only be used as evidence against you. Because of this, it is usually better to refuse to take the FST. The officer may still be able to arrest you, but you cannot suffer any criminal consequence for refusing a field sobriety test (unlike chemical BAC tests). Refusing a field sobriety test prevents the officer from gathering more evidence against you.

At Henrickson & Sereebutra, we develop personalized defense strategies for our clients who face criminal charges in Georgia. When it comes to field sobriety tests in DUI cases, our Paulding County defense lawyers review the situation to determine whether any improper police procedures or other factors led to a wrongful DUI arrest situation. Our criminal defense team does not take any chances with our clients' rights.

Explore Your Legal Options with Our Defense Team

There are many ways to challenge this type of evidence, such as by placing the officer's dashboard video camera footage of the investigation and arrest under subpoena, gaining visual proof that factors such as bad weather, inappropriate footwear or even intimidating behavior on the part of the police officer made it difficult or even impossible for the suspect to perform well on the test.

A defense attorney from our firm can also cross-examine the officer in court, potentially revealing deficiencies in the officer's understanding of the testing procedure which might have prejudiced the test against you.

Contact our Paulding County DUI firm today for representation!