Minneapolis DWI Defense
If you have been arrested, contact a Minneapolis DWI Attorney at the Caplan & Tamburino Law Firm. Before arresting an individual for DUI or DWI, it is essential that police officers conduct field sobriety tests. As the name suggests, a field sobriety test is conducted by the police officers to check if the driver is intoxicated, or if he is under the influence of drugs while driving, by scrutinizing the physical and psychological condition of the individual. These tests are designed to provide, or dispel, the officer’s reasons to arrest the individuals who are held for driving while intoxicated. Most often than not, these tests presents the police with evidence which can be used effectively to prove a Minnesota DWI, DUI or a Test Refusal Case. While the police officers are supposed to advise the accused that these tests are optional, in many cases they do not.
It is good to know that the field sobriety tests lack depth and are extremely subjective in nature. In fact, it would not be an exaggeration to say that one can explore numerous possible defenses in the case of field sobriety tests. It is in your best interest to contact Minneapolis DWI Defense Lawyers at Caplan & Tamburino Law Firm to analyze the field sobriety testing in your case. Only an experienced and knowledgeable Minneapolis DWI Defense Attorney can present field sobriety tests in the best possible manner to realize the best possible results for you.
Given below are some very common field sobriety tests:
Nystagmus test: This test involves the placement of an object 12-15 inches away from the driver’s nose. The officer then moves the object from side to side, to observe the subject’s eyes. This test is conducted by the officers to confirm if the subject is under the influence of alcohol or drugs, and this is done by observing the involuntary jerking occurring as the eyes gaze toward the side.
Walk and Turn Test: This test is primarily aimed at checking if the subject is able to keep his balance and follow specific instructions while performing the test. This done by asking the individual to take nine heel-to-toe steps forward, conduct a specific turn, and walk back along a straight line and along turns.
The One Leg Stand Test: During this test, the subject is instructed to raise one foot six inches off the ground, hold this position and count out loud until told to stop. Again, this test is watching the driver’s balance and ability to follow specific instructions given by the police officer.
Some other common field sobriety tests are the Rhomberg test, finger to nose test, reciting the alphabet in a specified manner, counting backwards, and tapping/counting of fingers.
The Field Sobriety Tests are conducted to check if the accused is able to perform these tests with “divided attention”, a skill which is important while driving. There are many sober and innocent people who cannot perform these field sobriety tests correctly, and their failure has nothing to do with alcohol or drugs. Many individuals fail in these tests because of Arthritis, Anxiety and other medical reasons.
The Minneapolis DWI Defense Lawyers at Caplan & Tamburino Law Firm have an in depth knowledge of all field sobriety tests and they know how to handle these tests in the court of law. Call now for a free consultation with a dedicated DWI defense attorney at 612-564-4372 .