www.legallistings.us - LegalListings.us

Can Field Sobriety Tests Be Faulty?

Can Field Sobriety Tests Be Faulty?

Most people have some faith in the police force. We trust them to do their jobs and to do them well. That said, police are human beings capable of mistakes just like the rest of us. They absolutely make mistakes, even if they don’t intend to. This goes for police traffic stops and DWI stops.

When an officer pulls you over on suspicion of DWI, they can make mistakes that lead to you being charged unfairly with an alcohol-related driving offense. If you’re charged with a crime, you could face huge life consequences. Even if you aren’t convicted of the crime, your life will surely be flipped upside down.

It’s important for you to know that field sobriety testing can be faulty. You might have a way out of a conviction by showing that the field sobriety test evidence against you will not hold up in court.

Types of Field Sobriety Tests and How They Can Be Faulty

There are several different kinds of field sobriety tests. Each test is designed to decipher whether a person is under the influence of alcohol at the time. Some can go further to test whether the alcohol has affected a person’s physical or mental capabilities. 

But, these tests are not perfect. They can be faulty under certain circumstances. Each test has limitations, and not every person who fails a field sobriety test is guilty of driving while intoxicated.

The Walk-and-Turn Test

This test is designed to examine a person’s balance and coordination. This test can be faulty depending on a person’s natural balance and coordination issues, the uneven surface where the test is being administered, and the lighting at certain times of day.

The One-Leg-Stand Test

This is another balance and coordination test that could be failed if a person has balance and coordination issues, if they suffer from vertigo, or they aren’t feeling well for reasons other than alcohol consumption.

The Horizontal Gaze Nystagmus Test (HGN)

This is a test that checks for a certain type of eye-jerking movement that occurs when a person is under the influence of alcohol. This test could be failed if a person is taking certain types of medications, if they have had a head injury, or if they wear certain types of contact lenses. The officer administering this test can also make errors during the testing.

Team Up with a Criminal Defense Attorney

Field sobriety tests can be faulty, and police officers can make mistakes. If you don’t want to have a permanent mark on your criminal record, you do have options. Remember, you can fight a DWI charge, and you might win. You won’t win if you don’t try. You don’t have to face off against a DWI charge by yourself.

You can partner with a criminal defense lawyer. They can help you by looking at any issues with the field sobriety testing you went through. They can look at all angles to find a defense for you. Call The Law Offices of Jeff C. Kennedy at 817-605-1010 or head over to our website to learn more about how a Fort Worth criminal defense attorney can help with a DWI charge.


About the Author:

The Law Offices of Jeff C. Kennedy


Attorney Kennedy has over twenty years’ experience practicing criminal law in Fort Worth, TX, and he has successfully handled thousands of cases, including fulfilling the role of a winning Fort Worth DWI lawyer. From misdemeanors to felonies, he can help you fully understand the charges against you and build the defense that clears your name.Need a Fort Worth criminal defense lawyer? You've found the law firm that can help you win your case.... View full business profile here: The Law Offices of Jeff C. Kennedy





Comments, Thoughts & Responses