DUI Lawyer for Sanford, Tavares and Longwood, Florida
Perhaps you were pulled over and took one or more field sobriety tests and failed, but you passed a breath or blood test. Did you know that you may still face DUI charges? In Florida, a driver may face DUI charges for having a blood alcohol concentration at 0.08% or above (as evidenced by a breath or blood test) or for driving “under the influence” of alcohol or a controlled substance (as evidenced by field sobriety tests.) To be considered under the influence, a driver’s natural capabilities would need to be impaired due to alcohol and/or drugs. One of the preliminary tests to determine this level of impairment is called a field sobriety test.
Brief Explanation of Field Sobriety Tests
A field sobriety test is a specific test administered by a law enforcement officer upon stopping a driver for suspected DUI. In Florida, a driver may typically be subjected to three main standardized field sobriety tests:
- Walk and Turn;
- Horizontal Gaze Nystagmus; and
- One Leg Stand
The purpose of a field sobriety test is most often to determine a driver’s balance, coordination and ability to follow instructions. The Horizontal Gaze Nystagmus, however, is an eye movement test that involves looking for an involuntary side-to-side jerking movement of the eyes that is considered to be an indication of intoxication.
Arrested for drunk driving in Seminole or Lake County?
An experienced DUI attorney may be able to effectively defend you against your drunk driving charges – even if you took field sobriety tests and failed. At Katz & Phillips, P.A. we defend clients against DUI charges in even the most serious or seemingly hopeless cases. Our attorneys know that field sobriety tests are not 100% accurate. Any of a number of issues unrelated to intoxication or drug use may cause a person to fail a field sobriety test, including: age, weight, a physical injury, illness, allergies, and nervousness. So give us a call today and let us look into your case. We have extensive experience and we are prepared to go the distance in our efforts to provide you with high-quality assistance.
Contact a DUI defense lawyer at our firm to challenge your field sobriety test results.
