Field Sobriety Testing

If you are stopped by a DeKalb County police officer and suspected of DUI based on the officers observations of your driving, speech, appearance, odor of alcohol, etc., the officer will likely ask you to partake in some field sobriety tests.  The three validated field sobriety tests that DeKalb County DUI officers are trained and instructed to administer are (1) horizontal gaze nystagmus (HGN), (2) the walk and turn, (3) the one leg stand.

The HGN test is the most scientific and reliable of the three tests and involves the officer having the driver focus his or her eyes on a stimulus for certain intervals.  The officer observes where there is an involuntary jerking of the eyes that indicates intoxication.  The walk and turn requires the driver to take 9 heal to toe steps along a line, real or imaginary, turn, and then take 9 steps back.  The one leg stand requires the driver to stand on one leg for 30 seconds. 

Failing any of these tests gives the officer reason to arrest the driver. However, these tests all depend on the proper administration by the officer and the drivers success is based on the officers subjective observations.  Not all officers administer these tests properly.

DeKalb DUI lawyer Richard Lawson has been trained in administering field sobriety tests and knows what the proper standards are.  He can often impeach officers who have improperly conducted the tests.  Call the Law Offices of  Richard Lawson today for a free DUI case consultation.