California has some of the harshest penalties for people convicted of DUI-related offenses. Because of that, it is important to fully understand the situation if you are facing DUI-related charges. We at Ron Cordova Attorney-at-Law can help.
Today, we’ll take a look at field sobriety tests. There are both standardized and non-standardized tests. Non-standardized tests tend not to be utilized by law enforcement because they present a weaker argument and don’t hold up as well in court.
Standardized field sobriety tests have a nationwide set standard and are thus more reliable. There are only three standardized tests in use at the moment. They are the horizontal gaze nystagmus test, the walk-and-turn and the one-leg stand. Each of these tests is designed to check your mobility, balance and stability. The first one tracks the movement of your eye and checks for a visible shake (nystagmus) that may occur when intoxicated.
However, just because standardized field sobriety tests are more accepted than non-standardized ones doesn’t mean that they’re foolproof. In fact, they tend to be used more to bolster other pieces of evidence and can rarely stand alone. There are many reasons for failing a field sobriety test other than being under the influence. For example, people with disabilities may have trouble balancing despite being sober.
Dealing with a DUI-related charge can be a frightening experience. If you find yourself in such a situation, you can read more about DUI charges on our website. Knowledge of your situation can help you as you move forward.
