DEFENSE IN MANASSAS & FAIRFAX OF THE FIELD SOBRIETY TEST IN VIRGINIA
AN EXPERIENCED DUI LAWYER EXPLAINS THE TESTS
When stopped for Driving while intoxicated (DWI) or driving under the Influence of alcohol or drugs (DUI), you will be given a number of field sobriety tests on the scene of the stop. You could be stopped at a checkpoint or it could be an accident or for any traffic matter like running a red light. The tests combine physical coordination tests and test for mental acuity and at the same time the officer will ask you direct questions relating to if you have consumed alcohol. You do not have to submit to the tests but you are still under the obligations of breath and blood under the Implied Consent laws. If you refuse the test be respectful and cooperative otherwise and then you will be asked to submit to the chemical tests. Field sobriety tests are used as an aid to the police officer to determine if there is probable cause to make an arrest.
If the officer believes (his discretion) that you did not pass the field tests he will then proceed to the breath test on the scene. If arrested you need a competent DUI attorney like Christopher P. James to look at the details in each test to help you build your defense. As an experienced DUI attorney Mr. James will use his knowledge to go each and every test given to cull a strong defense for you. Contact Chris now!
COMMON TESTS:
- Walk the line
- Horizontal Gaze Nystagmus test ( most accurate)
- Count backwards
- Alphabet backwards
- Standing leg raise
- Many more.
You will be given a battery of the above in differing orders if you perform to fast, to slow, slur your speech or lose your balance they will often say you failed them all.
These tests result from studies of the National Highway Safety Traffic Admin and are given to police to train them to determine if the driver is under the influence and suspected then of DUI or DWI. The tests are often inaccurate and subjective even if properly conducted.
POLICE SAY YOU FAILED THE TEST — DON’T BELIEVE IT. YOU HAVE DEFENSE.
MANASSAS, FAIRFAX, LEESBURG, WARRENTON LET CHRISTOPHER P. JAMES REVIEW AND CHALLENGE YOUR FIELD SOBRIETY TESTS.
There are various reasons they may believe you failed the tests. It can start with you, consider your age, language skills, anxiety, road conditions, traffic around you, weather conditions, your medical condition, medications you are on, physical disabilities and the officer could make many mistakes in conducting the tests.
Furthermore it is challenging to do any of these tests when in the presence of the police on the side of the road and you are very anxious. So it is kind of a stretch that the results are all indicative of intoxication.
Thus you need to hire a firm like the Law offices of Christopher P. James to help you go over each test with a fine tooth comb. Christopher is an experienced DUI and DWI attorney familiar with the many and often unreliable field sobriety tests.
FREE INITIAL STRATEGY SESSION that’s more than a consultation.
HELP IS HERE let’s beat the Field Tests!
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