Field Test Evidence
The Standardized Field Sobriety Tests (SFSTs), are
the Horizontal Gaze Nystagmus, Walk and Turn and One Leg
Stand. Physical conditions affecting your brain, eyes, or parts
of your body involved in standing or walking may negatively affect
your performance on these tests.
During the Horizontal Gaze Nystagmus you follow a stimulus
with your eyes while the officer looks for:
- Slight jerking of the eyeball while following
the stimulus;
- Distinct jerking at the farthest point;
- Jerking prior to an angle closer to a forward
gaze.
During the Walk and Turn, you receive a barrage
of instructions but no opportunity to practice. Imagining a straight
line, you must take nine heel-to-toe steps up, then back. If you
score more than ONE of the following "clues", you have
failed:
- Start before being told;
- Cannot keep balance during instruction phase;
- Step off the "imaginary" line;
- Miss heel to toe;
- Stop walking;
- Use arms to balance;
- Improper number of steps;
- Improper turn.
During the One Leg Stand, you receive instructions
but no practice. You must raise one leg six inches while counting,
"one thousand and one, one thousand and two" and so forth
until told to stop. More than ONE of these "clues" is
a fail:
- Sway while balancing;
- Raise arms;
- Put foot down;
- Hop.
The officer may have administered other tests,
but only these three are standardized and "validated".
However, to be valid, they MUST be administered in the prescribed,
standardized manner. Our Washington DUI/DWI Defense Lawyers are trained NHTSA SFST administrator. If the officer
improperly administered your tests, or if they were not done voluntarily,
vigorous cross-examination can devastate the prosecutor's case,
and may lead to an acquittal, dismissal or a reduced charge.
The officer
probably then asked you to give a breath test.
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