Field Sobriety Tests in Philadelphia
Our Experienced DUI Attorney Can Help
You cannot be forced to take a field sobriety test in Pennsylvania if you
are stopped for possible DUI. It may in fact be wise to politely refuse
to perform a field sobriety test. If you were charged with DUI for failing
a field sobriety test, our Philadelphia
DUI attorney can stand up in your defense to protect your record and freedom.
Our firm can take the field sobriety test you allegedly failed and use
it to argue on your behalf. The main point is that field sobriety tests
are conducted and evaluated subjectively by police officers which means
that the conclusions can be debated. We will utilize this to debunk any
evidence they claim to have against you in court.
What are field sobriety tests?
There are three main field sobriety tests that will be administered: the
One Leg Stand, the Horizontal Gaze Nystagmus, and the Walk and Turn. The
first test simply asks the driver to stand on one leg for 30 seconds.
A Horizontal Gaze Nystagmus (HGN) test requires the driver to follow a
moving object with their eyes. Walk and Turn is simply taking nine steps,
pivoting, and returning to where you started.
In administering the Walk and Turn test, officers are taught to look for
eight clues for evidence of intoxication; observing only two is necessary
to arrest you.
Some of these issues include:
- Lack of balance while listening to instructions
- Failing to touch heel-to-toe
- Using arms to balance
- Making an improper turn
- Taking an incorrect number of steps
Officers look for these things during the One Leg Stand test:
- Swaying while balancing
- Using arms to balance
- Hopping to maintain balance
- Putting the foot down
Call Our DUI Lawyer as Soon as Possible
Even if you fail a test, our attorneys can challenge the results. Officers
may not have fully instructed you on the test or administered it improperly.
Medical conditions, weather, location, surroundings, your weight, and
even your clothes can factor into how you perform on a field sobriety
test. You need a professional DUI attorney to contest your charges so
you don't suffer the effects of a conviction. Let
Parkinson, Tarpey & Lloyd put our 40+ years of combined experience to work on your case!
Call our DUI defense firm right away to get started fighting your charges! Our Philadelphia
criminal attorneys are ready to help.