Fighting a Field Sobriety Test

When a person is stopped by the police or state troopers, be it at a DUI checkpoint or as the result of a traffic violation, and the driver is suspected to be driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol, the officer or trooper will perform field sobriety tests to determine said driver’s sobriety, or lack thereof.

Generally, there are three tests that are given when field sobriety tests are performed. One of the tests is called the one-legged stand, another is known as a nine step walk and turn, and a third test is called a horizontal gaze nystagmus, also referred to as an HGN test. These are standardized tests that have been approved and recommended by the National Highway Traffic and Safety Administration. A person’s performance on these tests plays a big role in the determination to charge them with DUI or not. However, the cops administering these tests may not be objective and may not accurately describe what they see, or may judge someone as under the influence when there is a different reason for their behavior.

If you have been given one or more of these tests and they resulted in you being arrested for and charged with DUI, there are things your Pittsburgh DUI attorney can look at to determine if those tests were given in the right way; for example, if the nine steps and turn was performed on an inclined plane or a flat one, or if you were given the proper instructions by the officer. If the tests were recorded on the officer’s dash cam, your attorney will examine that video to see if the field sobriety tests were performed properly.

There are other tests a police officer can administer that have not been standardized. He can ask you to recite the alphabet, or count backwards. He can ask you to tilt your head backwards and/or touch your nose with your finger.

There are often medical or other reasons for a person to “fail” a field sobriety test. Certain medical conditions cause a person to be unable to walk a straight line or stand on one foot. Others prevent a person from following an object only with their eyes. Your Pittsburgh criminal defense DUI attorney will be able to show the court documentation of such conditions and get your charges dropped.

If you have been charged with DUI, the first thing you need to do is hire a dedicated and experienced Pittsburgh DUI attorney. Then, you need to explain to him, in detail, the circumstances of your arrest. He will explain your charges, what happens next, and what your options are.

Being convicted of Driving Under the Influence can cause all types of upheaval for you and your family. Hiring an experienced attorney as soon as you are arrested is the best thing you can do for yourself and your loved ones. Get the legal help you deserve and call Logue Law Group for a free consultation. The Pittsburgh DUI attorneys at Logue Law Group are committed to assisting clients to get the finest results they can. They are aggressive and tenacious, and willing to go head to head with prosecutors to win your case.

Remember that your Pittsburgh DUI attorney will need all the facts. Don’t hesitate to trust and confide in him, so he can work his hardest for you. He will be able to explain your charges to you in detail, as well as describe your options. He will stand beside you as you navigate the criminal justice system.

If you or a loved one has been charged with Driving Under the Influence in or around the city of Pittsburgh, you will need an experienced criminal defense attorney. The Logue Criminal Defense team serves Pittsburgh, PA, and the surrounding areas, including West Virginia and Ohio. To get in touch and schedule a free initial consultation with an experienced Pittsburgh Criminal Defense lawyer from Logue Law Group, call us today at 844.PITT.DUI or 844.PITT.DUI. Or, you can contact us online.

Don’t wait to call! The longer you wait to hire an attorney, the more difficult it becomes for him or her to get a good outcome for you and your case. Call today!