Criminal Defense Attorneys Investigate Field Sobriety Tests When Building A Case

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If you are pulled over and charged with a DUI, any field sobriety tests that were administered and how they were administered become an important part of your case. Because these tests are so important, it is important for you to know some basic information about them. Armed with this knowledge, you will be able to help your Miami criminal defense attorney build a better case in your defense.

What is the purpose of a field sobriety test?

They are not used to determine the level of intoxication. Other tests, such as a breathalyzer are used for that purpose. Instead, these tests are used to build a case against you in court. They are used to indicate that your ability to drive was impaired at the time you were pulled over. Because these kinds of tests are administered by police officers and not machines, they can be subjective, both in their administration and their interpretation.

What information does you attorney need to know about your test?

Every bit of information you can give to your Miami criminal defense attorney will help you both build a better defense for your case. Information that can affect your case includes:

* What type of tests were you given?
* If no tests were given, why not?
* How were the tests administered?
* What conditions existed when your tests were given, such as time of day, weather, current visibility?
* When the tests were given, where were they given and what road conditions were they on? For instance, was the road smooth or rocky?
* Do you have any physical disability that would impact your performance of one or more of the tests?

What are common types of field sobriety tests?

* Horizontal Gaze Nystagmus: You are asked to let your eyes follow the movement of a pen or other object. This test is looks for how smoothly your eyes move and follow the object.
* Walk and Turn: This is where you walk a straight line, heel to toe. This test is used to determine your ability to remember and follow steps given in a set of directions.
* One leg stand: You instructed to stand on one leg to determine ability to balance.
* Rhomberg Balance: This is where you stand with your eyes closed, put your head back, and keep your feet together for 30 seconds. Again, this is to help determine your ability to balance.


About the Author:
ramondelacabada.com is a Miami Miami criminal defense attorney (http://www.ramondelacabada.com ) located in Miami, Florida, represents clients throughout Florida from Key West to Pensacola and internationally as well.



Article Originally Published On: http://www.articlesnatch.com


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