Field sobriety tests (FSTs) often become an important part of a DWI investigation because officers use a driver’s performance to help decide whether there is enough evidence to make an arrest. NHTSA recognizes three standardized tests: the horizontal gaze nystagmus test, the walk-and-turn, and the one-leg stand. Their value in a particular case, however, can depend heavily on how the officer conducted the testing and what was happening at the roadside.
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Whether The Officer Followed The Standardized Procedures
Standardized field sobriety tests are designed to be administered according to established procedures. If instructions were incomplete or the officer departed from the expected testing method, the defense may question how much weight should be placed on the results. NHTSA training materials emphasize standardization because the tests were validated using specific procedures.
A DWI lawyer in University Park may compare the officer’s report with body camera footage to see whether the written description matches what actually happened. The video can also show whether the driver appeared confused by the instructions or whether the officer demonstrated the test clearly before asking the driver to perform it.
Roadside Conditions May Affect Performance
The location of the test deserves attention because the walk-and-turn and one-leg stand require physical coordination. A sloped shoulder or unstable surface can make those exercises more difficult even when alcohol is not the reason for a person’s performance.
Footwear and physical limitations may also provide important context. Someone with a prior injury may have difficulty balancing in a way that an officer interprets as a clue of impairment. Those circumstances should be considered before a testing mistake is treated as proof that the person was intoxicated.
The Officer’s Observations Can Be Compared With Video
Police reports often describe specific mistakes made during the exercises, but body camera or dash camera footage may give a clearer view. If the report states that a driver repeatedly lost balance while the recording shows something less significant, the difference may become important when the evidence is challenged.
FSTs Should Be Viewed With The Rest Of The Evidence
Field sobriety testing is one part of a DWI investigation, so the results should be considered alongside everything else that occurred during the stop. A DWI lawyer in University Park can examine whether the officer’s conclusions are supported when the entire encounter is reviewed in context. If the testing conditions or administration raise legitimate concerns, those issues may affect how persuasive the field sobriety evidence is in the case.
