If a police officer chooses to administer a field sobriety test at the time of a suspected driving under the influence (DUI) stop, the results may cause the officer to pursue further testing and establish intoxication. As a result, field sobriety tests in Maryland DUI cases could have a significant impact on your case. However, officers do not always properly administer these tests during a traffic stop.
Our experienced DUI attorneys at Price Benowitz could challenge the evidence in court if you choose to fight the charges against you.
Officers in Maryland administer field sobriety tests to help determine whether a driver is impaired and whether there is probable cause for a DUI arrest. Officers typically request these tests after observing behaviors that suggest impairment, such as swerving, speeding, delayed braking, or other traffic violations.
During the traffic stop, signs such as slurred speech, bloodshot or watery eyes, the odor of alcohol, or difficulty understanding instructions may further prompt an officer to request a field sobriety test. Officers may also rely on a driver’s admissions, such as stating they consumed alcohol or drugs, to justify administering these tests.
Field sobriety tests divide a person’s attention and assess factors that alcohol or drugs can affect, such as coordination, balance, and the ability to follow directions. Officers use these results to decide whether to proceed with chemical testing, issue a citation, or make an arrest. However, these tests are inherently subjective, and a DUI defense lawyer from our firm could challenge adverse results.
Law enforcement officers commonly use several types of field sobriety tests to assess whether a driver may be impaired. The most widely used are the standardized tests endorsed by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. These include the Horizontal Gaze Nystagmus test, which looks for involuntary eye movements that can indicate impairment; the Walk-and-Turn test, which evaluates balance, coordination, and the ability to follow instructions; and the One-Leg Stand test, which measures balance and divided attention.
Officers may also administer non-standardized tests, such as reciting the alphabet, counting backward, or performing finger-to-nose tasks. While these exercises are intended to reveal signs of impairment, many factors unrelated to alcohol or drugs can affect performance, such as:
Importantly, field sobriety tests rely heavily on an officer’s observations, making them a frequent point of challenge in Maryland DUI cases. The right defense attorney could examine whether the officer properly conducted your field sobriety tests.
How an officer administers a field sobriety test and the conditions at the time can greatly affect the results. Improperly conducted field sobriety tests may be the basis to challenge DUI charges in Maryland. Common reasons our defense lawyers might argue results are inadmissible or unreliable include:
If any of these factors were present, your attorney may be able to challenge the validity of the test results and weaken the prosecution’s case against you.
When officers improperly administer field sobriety tests in Maryland DUI cases, you can challenge them in court. If you are facing DUI charges, the risks are significant. Our defense lawyers could evaluate the evidence, challenge field sobriety tests, and fight to protect your license, record, and future.
Do not let one arrest determine your future. Contact Price Benowitz today for a free case evaluation and learn how our experienced DUI defense team could stand up for your rights.
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