Field Sobriety Tests

What are Field Sobriety Tests?

Field sobriety tests (FST) are agility tests that are used by law enforcement to determine if a person is impaired by drugs and/or alcohol.  If a person is believed to have been driving while under the influence, law enforcement may request that the person perform a series of field sobriety tests before deciding to make a DUI arrest.

Field Sobriety Tests and DUI Arrest

When a person is stopped for driving under the influence, he/she may be asked by the police officer to perform a series of field sobriety tests.  It is up to the police officer to determine if the person has passed or failed his/her field sobriety tests.  The police officer must closely monitor the person’s balance, coordination, and motor skills while the person performs the test.  The officer will decide if the person has correctly followed given instructions.  It is believed that if a person is under the influence of drugs and/or alcohol, he/she will have poor coordination, and fail the field sobriety tests.

Standardized Field Sobriety Tests

The National Highway Safety and Traffic Administration (NHSTA) has closely regulated field sobriety tests throughout the years.  Currently, only three field sobriety tests are considered standardized by the NHSTA.  The three standardized field sobriety tests are:  the horizontal gaze nystagmus, the walk and turn, and the one leg stand.

Field Sobriety Tests and Inaccuracy

Most people are under the impression that field sobriety tests can determine if a person is impaired by drugs and/or alcohol, but this is not true.  In many cases, it has been discovered that people have performed poorly during field sobriety tests for reasons other than intoxication.  A person can perform poorly during the field sobriety tests for many reasons, including:  slippery road conditions, poor lighting, poor instructions, and medical conditions that impair the person’s coordination.

Orange County & Irvine DUI Attorney
The Law Offices of Virginia L. Landry

If you have been charged with DUI in Orange County or Irvine, you need to consult with a skilled DUI Defense Attorney immediately.  The Law Offices of Virginia L. Landry has been representing clients charged with DUI in Orange County and Irvine for years.  Attorney Virginia L. Landry knows that DUI charges demand prompt attention and that each DUI case should be carefully evaluated by an experienced lawyer.  When it comes to successfully fighting your DUI charges, having a reputable DUI Defense Attorney on your side is crucial.  At the Law Offices of Virginia L. Landry, clients receive the thoughtful legal counsel and aggressive defense they need to contest their DUI charges.