Should I Contest the Field Sobriety Test that Was Administered Prior to My DUI Arrest?

If you have been pulled over by the police on suspicion of new jersey drunk driving, chances are the police administered a field sobriety test to try to determine if you were intoxicated. While these tests may seem simple, they must be administered correctly, or the results may not be inadmissible. A New Jersey DUI attorney can help you understand if you may be able to contest the use of a field sobriety test. He or she will analyze and evaluate how you performed on the tests to see if they were conducted properly.

 

What Problems Are There With Field Sobriety Tests?

Some tests are physical coordination tests, and it may be helpful to examine the conditions under which the tests were given. Were you asked to perform a walk-and-turn test or a one-leg-stand test in a well-lit room in a police station, or were you on the side of a darkened sloping road with an uneven gravel embankment? It may be that the test would be difficult to perform, even for a sober person under such conditions.

What Are Other Causes of Poor Performance?

If your case goes to trial, you may be asked to demonstrate your normal ability to perform field sobriety tests in open court. You might be able to demonstrate that you have difficult performing the tests even while sober due to poor physical coordination or balance, and thus your poor performance at the time of your arrest was not necessarily due to being intoxicated.

Even if the state has other evidence against you, discrediting their field sobriety test results can significantly decrease their trustworthiness in the eyes of the jury. If you have further questions about the validity of field sobriety tests, contact knowledgeable New Jersey DUI attorney Dan Matrafajlo at 908-248-4404 for a free consultation.

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