One of the initial things the officer will most likely ask you is to submit to a field sobriety test when you are pulled over on suspicion of drunk driving. But should you do exactly as you are told during a traffic stop? No, you should not.
The test is used by the police officer to validate the probable cause for your arrest, and it does not in itself confirm that you are under the influence. All the touching your nose and walking in a straight line is not going to help you in a court of law – in fact you’re just giving the officer more evidence to use against you. Here are two reasons why you should avoid taking field sobriety tests:
These tests are voluntary and taking them will only hurt you. You do not have to tell the officer why you’re refusing the test. Just say that you prefer not to respond to any questions until you talk to a lawyer. Refusing the test is not an admission of guilt – the tests are flawed and the officers know it.
You are destined to fail the field sobriety tests based on their very nature. If you ask the cop for instructions more than once, he can fail you. If you start before he tells you to do so, he can fail you. The test is entirely subjective, and he gets to call all the shots. The accuracy of these tests is based only on the integrity of the officer requesting them.
Contact Us today if you have any specific questions.