Drunk Driving Attorney in Dallas
Standardized Field Sobriety Testing
Everyone has seen TV shows depicting people taking sobriety tests. The police officer asks the person to walk in a straight line, balance on one leg while touching their nose and to recite the alphabet backwards. Few people know the real truths of Metroplex Field Sobriety Tests though. Here are some things Dallas - Fort Worth DWI attorney thinks you should know before you are asked to perform these tests:
- There are only three legitimate tests. The three actual tests used as courtroom evidence are the visual test asking you to follow the officer's finger or a pen, the walk in a straight line test and the standing on one leg test. If an officer asks you to recite the alphabet backwards, he is wasting your time and his own. Despite the fact that there are only three acceptable tests to be used in court, some officers will still try to trip you up and gather additional evidence against you by requesting you take additional tests.
- The results are totally subjective. Even if you think you passed all three tests with flying colors, the officer may think otherwise. If a strong gust of wind caused you to wobble while standing on one leg, it may count against you. If you take certain medications, your eyes may not follow the same trials they would if you were not on those medications -this may cause you to fail.
- The tests are inaccurate. Even when performed by a properly trained officer under ideal conditions, the results are only accurate 9 out of 10 times. That means that ideally, 10% of the results are completely inaccurate. When you take into consideration that some people have medical conditions that make the tests more difficult and that things like hills, footwear, wind, dust and headlights can reduce accuracy even further, you'll realize these tests are very flawed.
- You are not required to take these tests. A Texas State Trooper may threaten to arrest you if you decline to take these tests. But the reality is that by the time you are asked to perform the tests, the officer has usually already decided to place you under arrest. There are no laws requiring you to take these tests and if you do take them, the officer may use the results as evidence against you in court. Logically, there is no reason to comply with the tests and doing so may make your case harder to defend, even with a top Dallas - Fort Worth DWI attorney on your side.
If you have been charged with a DWI, contact an experienced Dallas - Fort Worth drunk driving attorney as soon as possible. The Law Firm of A Dallas DWI Lawyer is here to protect your rights and fight for your innocence. Whether you have or have not taken and passed a Field Sobriety Test, call a Dallas - Fort Worth - Fort Worth Lawyer from our firm today to set up your free initial consultation. We are available to residents of Dallas - Fort Worth, Fort Worth and Arlington.