For drivers in California, few things instill more fear than the possibility of being pulled over after a night out, even if it's just one drink. The serious criminal charge of Driving Under the Influence (DUI) can have long-lasting and significant implications for California drivers.
Before any field sobriety test is administered, it's important to remember that a police officer must first have probable cause to pull a driver over on suspicion of DUI. A driver suspected of DUI may be asked to perform one or several field sobriety tests.
Our Los Angeles DUI attorneys have frequently been asked if it is possible to pass a DUI field sobriety test. There is no one simple answer, as it will depend on a wide variety of factors.
Factors such as alcohol consumption, drug use, and age can all influence your performance in field sobriety tests. Our experienced DUI lawyers have observed that younger individuals, often more physically fit, tend to perform better. However, the best course of action is to seek guidance from a DUI attorney.
The standard field sobriety tests given by Los Angeles police do have certain clues that might indicate impairment. If the officer does not see these clues during the tests, it should indicate that the individual has passed.
However, many police officers will only note what they observe that indicates the person was driving under the influence.
Physical limitations, such as obesity or an injury, can obviously have an impact on your ability to pass various field sobriety tests. They could be used as a defense by your DUI lawyer.
Standardized DUI field sobriety tests are supposed to be carried out in a certain way and under certain conditions. For example, they should be administered on a flat, well-lit surface.
These ideal conditions don't always exist. Standardized DUI field sobriety tests are supposed to be carried out in a certain way and under certain conditions. For example, they should be administered on a flat, well-lit surface, away from any distractions. However, it's not uncommon for field sobriety tests to be given late at night on the dark side of a road or freeway with the lights of passing cars as a distraction.
The Imperfect Nature of Field Sobriety Tests
A field sobriety test includes different physical and mental "exercises." A police officer may order the driver to perform these exercises so they can determine whether or not the driver is driving under the influence of alcohol, drugs, or prescription medications.
An officer reaches their determination based on the driver's performance. Officers often conclude that poor performance indicates an impairment caused by the influence of drugs or alcohol.
Although the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has moved towards standardizing field sobriety tests, states such as California are not required to adopt them.
Field sobriety tests can be inaccurate and contain several errors. Still, prosecutors and police use field sobriety results as evidence at trial.
You do not Have to Submit to a Field Sobriety Test
Contrary to popular belief, individuals who have been pulled over for suspicion of driving under the influence are not legally required to submit to field sobriety tests. In many cases in Los Angeles County, these DUI tests are unreliable. The best way to pass a field sobriety test is to avoid one.
The State of California permits drivers to refuse an officer's request to take a field sobriety test. Most drivers are not aware of this right, and many unknowingly (and unwillingly) consent to it.
It's crucial to understand that while you have the legal right to refuse field sobriety tests, doing so could have serious legal implications. The results of these tests could be used by the DMV and a jury to determine guilt or to make an administrative finding to suspend your driver's license.
Field Sobriety Tests Are Difficult
Many officers use several different exercises when administering a field sobriety test. These exercises include:
- Horizontal Gaze Nystagmus Test - commonly known as “HGN,” this eye examination is often the first test used by a police officer. In fact, many well experienced officers rely heavily on the result of this test. They will use the tip of their pin and ask you to follow it. An intoxicated person's eyes will typically have a jerking motion as they follow the pen. This is called nystagmus, an involuntary movement of the eyes.
- Walk and Turn Test - this test is designed to measure coordination and your ability to follow instructions. Typically, the police officer will ask you to follow a straight line for several steps, heel to toe, pivot, and return.
- One-leg Stand Test – this test is difficult for even completely sober people. Try it. The police officer will ask you to stand straight with your hands by your side and lift one leg six inches off the ground. Then count out loud, “one-thousand one,” until told to stop. They are looking for swaying, hopping, losing your balance, or an inability to follow instructions.
- The Finger Count - another hard field sobriety test. Police will ask you to use your thumb and touch the tips of your fingers with one hand and keep counting until they say stop.
- The Finger-to-Nose Test - This test is based on the theory that an intoxicated person will have trouble touching their finger to their nose several times with their eyes closed and their head tilted back. It's also designed to measure one's ability to follow instructions.
- Alphabet Test – on the surface, this test may appear easy. However, an intoxicated person is typically unable to say the entire alphabet, from A-Z, without missing some letters or losing their place in the alphabet. Some police officers will ask you to start with a certain letter to make it more difficult.
This is a non-exhaustive list. While several tests are used, only the first three listed are considered "standardized" by the NHTSA. Some field sobriety tests are difficult, even for individuals who are not under the influence of alcohol or any substances.
Moreover, results are subject to the officer's interpretation and other outside influences. Therefore, the best way to beat a field sobriety test's results is to seek the help of an experienced Los Angeles DUI lawyer. A skilled lawyer can challenge the validity of the test, the conditions under which it was administered, and the officer's interpretation, potentially leading to a more favorable outcome for the driver.
So, Can You Pass DUI Field Sobriety Tests?
Hypothetically, these field sobriety tests are administered in order to help police officers determine whether a driver is under the influence of alcohol. In practice, however, chances are that an officer has already made up their mind about a driver's sobriety long before the tests are administered.
As a result, these tests are used more as a tool to gather evidence than they are as a way to determine whether a driver is drunk. While refusing to submit to testing may result in your immediate arrest, it also may make the prosecution's case against you much weaker, potentially improving the ultimate outcome of your case.
It is important to understand that every situation is unique and that no course of action will always be the right one. For this reason, if you have questions about how to conduct yourself in a particular situation, you should consult with a criminal defense attorney familiar with the law in your jurisdiction.
What are the Legal Consequences of a DUI Conviction?
Different factors, including whether an injury-causing accident occurred, the number of previous DUI offenses, and blood alcohol concentration (BAC), can also impact the extent of consequences for a DUI conviction. It is important to note that BAC is calculated in alcohol-related cases.
An individual under the influence of drugs or prescription medication may also be charged with DUI. Drivers convicted of DUI may face some of the following consequences:
- Suspended driving privileges,
- Jail time,
- Hefty fines and legal fees,
- Required ignition interlock device; and
- Required driving courses,
- Community Service,
- Probation.
Call a Los Angeles DUI Defense Attorney
Field sobriety tests are one method officers use to conclude whether or not a driver has been driving under the influence of drugs, alcohol, or medication. Although Los Angeles is a fun city, a DUI is anything but fun. Contact the experienced legal team at Eisner Gorin LLP if you or someone you care about has been charged with DUI.
Our skilled Los Angeles DUI defense attorneys will review the facts of your case and zealously defend against the charges against you. Call 877-781-1570 today to speak with us.
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