Why Are Field Sobriety Tests Important?
A valid DUI arrest starts with a valid vehicle stop, which should be supported by sufficient cause. Once the officer stops your vehicle, they may ask you to perform various field sobriety tests if they believe you have been drinking. The goals of the field sobriety tests are to determine if you are impaired and establish probable cause for an arrest. After your arrest, you will be asked to submit to a breath test or provide a blood sample. If we are retained as your defense counsel, we would question whether the officer properly performed the field sobriety tests and properly concluded that you were impaired. We may ask a court to dismiss the results of your breath or blood test if the officer did not have probable cause to make a lawful arrest. Even if the court does not grant our motion to dismiss your charges, we may be able to argue that you were not impaired. Such arguments can be used in plea discussions with the prosecutor or may become part of our defense strategy at trial if y
