Fort Lauderdale Inaccurate Standard Field Sobriety Exercises Attorney
When a police officer pulls a driver over for a suspected DUI, they will almost always ask the motorist to perform field sobriety exercises (FSEs). These tests are highly subjective and an officer will typically only use them to form the probable cause that is needed to make an arrest or ask for a chemical test. These tests are not scientific, and they are often inaccurate. You are also not legally required to perform them, so you should always refuse. If you have already submitted to these tests, our Fort Lauderdale inaccurate standard field sobriety exercises attorney can help with your charges.
What Standard Field Sobriety Exercises are Inaccurate?
FSEs are used to observe a motorist’s skills and ability to function at the most basic level. However, there is no scientific method used when evaluating the results, and an officer will determine if the individual is acting intoxicated or not. The main three field sobriety exercises that are inaccurate are as follows:
- The walk and turn: During this test, the officer will ask you to walk a certain number of steps, heel-to-toe. Once you have completed the steps, you must turn around and walk back, also using the heel-to-toe method.
- The horizontal gaze nystagmus: This test is used to look for jerky movements in the eye, which can indicate impairment.
- The one-leg stand: When performing this test, you will stand with one leg approximately six inches from the ground. You may also have to count to a certain number.
All three of the above tests have certain issues associated with them that impacts the accuracy of the results.
Studies Show Standard Field Sobriety Exercises are Inaccurate
Multiple studies have determined that standard field sobriety exercises are inaccurate. In the late 1970s, the Southern California Research Institute (SCRI) was asked by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) to assess many different FSEs to determine the accuracy of each. Ten police officers were involved in the study and they observed participants during the test to determine which ones were impaired.
After the study was conducted, the SCRI recommended that the three above exercises be used as roadside tests. Unfortunately, when implemented in the real world, police officers had a 47 percent error rate when administering these tests.
None of the exercises used are 100 percent accurate, but some are more accurate than others. These are as follows:
- One leg stand test: 65 percent accuracy
- Walk and turn test: 68 percent accuracy
- Horizontal gaze nystagmus: 77 percent accuracy
- All three tests used together: 82 percent accuracy
Our Fort Lauderdale Inaccurate Standard Field Sobriety Exercises Attorney Will Challenge Your Results
At Meldon Law, our Fort Lauderdale standard field sobriety exercises are inaccurate attorney can prove that your test results are wrong, and get valuable evidence against you thrown out of court. Call us today at 800-373-8000 or contact us online to schedule a free consultation and to learn more about how we can help.
