The police have several tools at their disposal when they suspect you are driving under the influence of alcohol. If you have been pulled over, the police may ask you how many drinks you have had or look for visible open containers in the vehicle. They can also ask if you are willing to submit to a breath test to determine your blood alcohol concentration (BAC).
The police will often use field sobriety tests to establish evidence of impairment. However, they are not always accurate. A skilled DUI attorney could explain how the results of field sobriety tests in Junction City DUI cases can impact a person’s defense.
There are various types of tests the police might use to determine if a driver is impaired, such as asking them to count backward from ten to one or recite the alphabet in reverse. The three primary field sobriety tests commonly used in Junction City DUI cases are the horizontal gaze nystagmus test, the walk-and-turn test, and the one-leg stand test.
This examination involves asking a driver to follow an object, like a pen, with their eyes. The officer will watch the corners of the eyes for signs of any twitching movement, which can indicate intoxication.
The walk-and-turn test is used to evaluate possible signs of impairment. The driver is asked to walk ten steps along a straight line, then turn around and return to their starting location, again walking along the line. Officers will look for any signs of failure, such as stepping off the line or taking the wrong number of steps.
For the one-leg stand test, officers will find a flat piece of ground and request that the driver stand on one leg while counting to a specific number. If they wobble, touch their foot to the ground, or fall during this time, the police can consider this as a sign of impairment.
If a person failed any of these field sobriety tests, a lawyer could help identify potential factors that may have affected their performance.
There are numerous issues with using field sobriety tests as evidence in DUI cases, which an attorney in Junction City could highlight during criminal proceedings.
Drivers might fail the one-leg stand because of uneven ground, improper footwear, medical conditions, or balance issues. Medical factors may also lead to a false positive on the horizontal gaze nystagmus test.
It is also possible to fail the walk-and-turn test while sober. For instance, some people may feel anxious about the possibility of getting arrested, making it harder for them to follow basic instructions. Others may have knee or foot issues that prevent them from walking a straight line.
While failed field sobriety tests can lead to an arrest, a lawyer could challenge the results and help avoid a conviction.
Failing field sobriety tests in Junction City DUI cases can lead to a conviction, but it is important to have legal counsel who knows how to fight back. The results of these tests are often misleading or inaccurate.
Do not navigate your DUI charge alone – reach out to Addair Law today to explore defense strategies.
