Police officers who suspect a driver of chemical intoxication may conduct a traffic stop. They may also ask pointed questions of a driver during a stop initiated for another purpose if they suspect that they’re under the influence.
Police officers may also request that drivers step out of their vehicle and perform a series of field sobriety tests. Field sobriety tests are physical acts that help police officers gauge the likelihood of a driver’s intoxication.
Supporting the prosecutor’s case in court
The way that a motorist performs on a field sobriety test could support an officer’s suspicion that they are under the influence. Once officers have enough documentation to constitute probable cause, they can arrest the driver for a driving under the influence (DUI) violation. They can also ask that the driver submit to a chemical test to check their blood alcohol concentration (BAC).
Typically, police officers administer field sobriety tests in locations where their dashboard cameras capture the entire testing process. Video footage of field sobriety tests can play an important role in the prosecutor’s case during a DUI trial.
What drivers should know about these tests
There are other explanations, such as pre-existing medical conditions, that could explain why a motorist might fail field sobriety tests. Drivers who understand the role of field sobriety testing can make informed choices when officers ask them to submit to tests.
Motorists do have the right to decline to perform the tests. Discussing test results and other aspects of a traffic stop could help those arrested for DUI offenses evaluate their options. A defense attorney can potentially counter or even exclude evidence to help a defendant avoid a conviction.