Field Sobriety Tests & DUI

San Diego DUI Lawyer

At Superior Law Center, we represent clients facing DUI charges throughout San Diego County. Whether you took or refused field sobriety tests, and regardless of your performance on these, we can assist you in addressing your criminal charges and your DMV hearing in order to help you avoid a conviction and driver's license suspension.

A field sobriety test is one of several tools that law enforcement will use in an attempt to build evidence against a driver for DUI (driving under the influence) charges. The prosecuting attorney will then attempt to use the officer's testimony and report of field sobriety testing to seek a conviction in criminal court. Field sobriety tests are meant to test a driver's level of impairment of mental and/or physical abilities. While a breath or blood test will measure a driver's blood alcohol level, a field sobriety test is meant to show whether a driver is impaired to such a degree that his or her normal abilities are affected.

Standardized Field Sobriety Tests

There are three field sobriety tests which have been tested and labeled as Standardized Field Sobriety Tests by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA.) These are:

• The Walk and Turn - walk in one direction, heel to toe, for nine steps, turn around and walk nine steps in the opposite direction
• The One Leg Stand - stand with one leg raised approximately 6 inches off the ground, while counting aloud for 30 seconds
• The Horizontal Gaze Nystagmus - follow a light or object with the eyes

There are specific procedures that must be followed in administering any field sobriety test in order for the results to be as accurate as possible. If the law enforcement officer improperly administered a test, this may be grounds to discount it as valid evidence.

Consult a San Diego DUI Defense Attorney

Even if you took field sobriety tests and were told that you failed, there may still be opportunities for your San Diego DUI lawyer to defend you against a conviction. For this reason, it is important that you seek legal counsel as soon as possible.

Contact our firm today regarding your San Diego DUI charges and field sobriety testing.