Florida DUI Attorney

If you were arrested for driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol, you could be in a very serious situation. Not only could you be facing a misdemeanor or felony conviction, but you could be sent to jail or prison. Your driving privileges will be revoked, which could considerably affect your ability to get to work and take care of your family. A conviction of DUI is not an infraction like speeding or a stop sign violation. It is always charged as a misdemeanor or felony and will be permanently placed on your criminal record.

When pulled over for suspected drunk driving, the law enforcement officer will have asked you to perform a field sobriety test in order to determine whether or not you were driving under the influence of alcohol. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, there are three main types of standardized field sobriety tests: the horizontal gaze nystagmus, the walk and turn test, and the one leg stand test. If you were unable to successfully complete any one of these three tests, you could be immediately placed under arrest and brought into custody.

What Are the Types of Field Sobriety Tests?

The horizontal gaze nystagmus test examines the involuntary jerking of the eye. This jerking occurs naturally when the eye follows an object side to side. However, when the individual is under the influence of alcohol, this jerking is exaggerated. The jerking may also occur at lesser angles than if they had not been drinking. When this test was examined for accuracy, it was found that 88% of the time they were successful in correctly determining whether the driver had been drinking. However, if they had suffered from a stroke or were on certain prescriptive medications, this jerking could have been present.

What is the Walk and Run Field Sobriety Test?

The last two types of tests are both divided attention tests. The walk and turn test is able to be easily completed by those who are not drunk but can prove to be impossible for those who are under the influence of alcohol. The driver is required to take nine steps in one direction, heel-to-toe, and then turn around and walk back. If they are unable to do so, fail to follow directions, or lose their balance, it may be an indicator that they are under the influence of alcohol. However, as this is less than 80% accurate, there are ways you can fight this evidence. The last test is the one leg stand where the suspected drunk driver is asked to balance on one foot while counting out loud.

Learn more from a Florida DUI lawyer!

If you failed a field sobriety test, please do not hesitate to contact a Florida traffic ticket lawyer from our team. We have years of experience in this area of law and understand exactly how to challenge this evidence in court. You should not have to suffer because of an inaccurate test.