Field sobriety tests give police officers roadside observations during investigations into suspected impaired driving. A DWI lawyer examines how officers administer these exercises and interpret their results. The results are only one part of the evidence and do not, by themselves, establish everything that happened during the arrest. Here is more information about sobriety tests:
Explain Standardized Tests
Police officers rely on sobriety tests to assess physical responses during roadside investigations. These exercises examine different aspects of coordination and eye movement, which can help officers document observations when investigating suspected impairment. The tests involve specific instructions, and officers record how a person responds to each exercise. The eye-movement test evaluates how a person’s eyes move in response to a stimulus. As an object moves across the person’s field of vision, law enforcement officers look for specific signs that indicate impairment. Officers must position the stimulus and provide instructions properly, or the testing conditions affect the observations they record.
One standardized test evaluates whether a person will follow instructions while walking heel-to-toe along a line, turning, and returning. Another test assesses balance by requiring the individual to raise one foot and maintain that position while following instructions. Both tests provide officers with observations about coordination and balance, and they also show how well a person follows directions during a traffic stop.
Breathalyzers provide a different type of information because they measure alcohol in a person’s breath rather than physical responses. Officers generally follow specific procedures when administering these devices, and the circumstances surrounding the test can affect how its results are interpreted. The breath test result is one piece of information in an investigation, and officers evaluate it alongside field observations and other evidence.
Identify Testing Errors
Field conditions affect how officers administer roadside exercises and how drivers perform them. Uneven pavement affects balance, while passing traffic creates distractions as officers give instructions. Poor lighting also makes it more difficult for officers to observe movements during nighttime stops, and these conditions affect the observations recorded during testing. Physical limitations provide additional context when officers administer field sobriety tests. An ankle injury, mobility restriction, or balance disorder affects walking and standing exercises; these limitations influence how a person performs the required tasks. A DWI lawyer reviews these factors to determine whether testing conditions or physical limitations affected the recorded results.
Evaluate Officer Observations
An officer’s interpretation begins with the conduct that prompted the traffic stop. Recorded driving behavior provides context for the roadside investigation, while test observations document specific responses during the encounter. A DWI lawyer reviews whether the written report accurately reflects the recorded events, and several types of evidence provide additional information about the officer’s observations:
- Dashcam footage: Shows vehicle movement and roadside interactions captured from the patrol vehicle, and it provides a visual record of portions of the encounter.
- Bodycam recordings: Preserve spoken instructions, responses, and interactions during testing, while also documenting portions of the surrounding encounter.
- Police reports: Document the officer’s observations and stated reasons for the traffic stop or arrest, and they provide the officer’s written account of the investigation.
- Witness accounts: Provide additional descriptions of driving or roadside behavior, and those accounts offer information from people who observed the encounter.
- Testing records: Document test procedures and results, and they provide information for comparing the recorded observations with the officer’s conclusions.
Discrepancies between recordings and written reports warrant closer examination. An attorney compares the available evidence to identify inconsistencies relevant to the defense; the comparison provides context for evaluating the officer’s account. An attorney also assesses how those inconsistencies relate to the conclusions drawn from the investigation and the evidence supporting the arrest. Your lawyer uses any discrepancies to help support your DWI case.
Contact a DWI Lawyer Today
DWI lawyer services address the legal and practical issues that follow an arrest, including license suspension and related proceedings. Losing driving privileges affects daily transportation, particularly for people who rely on their vehicles for work or family responsibilities. A DWI lawyer explains the applicable procedures and discusses how individual circumstances relate to the legal options available. Contact a lawyer to understand more about the steps that follow a DWI arrest.
