Field Sobriety Tests in The State of Missouri

When you face penalties such as driver’s license suspensions, large fines, insurance rate increases, and being sent to jail, you owe it to yourself to find a lawyer who understands Field Sobriety Tests and knows how to challenge them in court.

The attorneys at The Lampin Law Firm are all experienced and accomplished criminal defense lawyers. Our DWI defense team members have each completed dozens of hours of DWI-focused legal training. They are familiar with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) guidelines for DUI detection and administration of the standardized field sobriety tests. These are the same guidelines that police officers are trained to use when investigating suspected impaired drivers.

Our Lawyers know how to evaluate evidence for its strengths and weaknesses, and might be able to effectively challenge the test results in your case.

Challenging Field Sobriety Test Evidence in DWI Cases

The standardized NHTSA test battery consists of three components:

1. the one-leg stand
2. the walk-and-turn
3. the horizontal-gaze nystagmus (HGN)

Each test is designed to detect drivers who are impaired to the degree that it is unsafe for them to operate a vehicle. However, none of these tests are fool-proof. They do not provide scientific evidence, but rather depend largely on the subjective opinion of the testing officer.

Even if you are able to perform the Field Sobriety Tests well, it does not exonerate you from a DWI charge.

Field sobriety tests may only be used as evidence against you. Because of this, it is usually better to refuse to take tests. The officer may still be able to arrest you, but you cannot suffer any legal consequence for refusing a field sobriety test (unlike chemical BAC tests).

At The Lampin Law Firm, we work with our clients to develop personalized defense strategies for their criminal charges in Missouri. When it comes to field sobriety tests in DUI cases, our St. Charles and St. Louis defense teams review the facts and evidence to determine whether any improper police procedures or other factors led to a wrongful DUI arrest situation. Our criminal defense team does not take any chances with our clients’ rights.