Field Sobriety Tests
When law enforcement officers suspect a driver of operating his or her vehicle under the influence of alcohol or drugs, he or she may choose to pull the driver over and administer a field sobriety test. The tests are designed to identify tell-tale signs of driver intoxication and may give the officer reasonable cause to arrest the individual and charge them with DWI.
It is important to be aware of the types of field sobriety tests used by police officers and how they are administered. In some cases, the tests may be incorrectly administered or may not be admissible in court, so it is important to have an experienced DWI attorney on your side to help defend your rights. For more information on field sobriety tests and DWI charges, contact the Houston DWI attorneys of Johnson, Johnson & Baer at 713-222-0400 today.
Commonly Used Tests
If an officer believes that a driver may be intoxicated, he or she may administer tests including:
- Balance tests like standing on one leg or walking a straight line
- Vision tests like the “horizontal gaze nystagmus test”
- Memory and concentration tests like reciting the alphabet or counting
- Dexterity tests like touching your finger to your nose and then moving the hand away from the face
In addition to the physical and mental tasks, drivers may be asked to submit to chemical testing, including blowing into a breathalyzer machine to determine the individual’s “blood alcohol content” or BAC.
Contact Us
If you or someone you love has been charged with DWI, it is important to know your rights. For help with your case, contact the Houston DWI attorneys of Johnson, Johnson, & Baer, P.C. at 713-222-0400.