When you are pulled over by a police officer for a traffic stop, and he or she suspects you may be drunk, there are 3 kinds of field sobriety tests you will be asked to perform. You should know that you are within your rights to decline to undertake these tests. But in most cases this will still result in you being arrested anyway. Some San Diego DUI Attorneys recommend not accepting the tests if you are going to end up in court anyway. In some cases the lack of these tests has helped such lawyers argue as to the validity of the arrest as there will be less confirmation that you were actually inebriated at the time without the tests having been done or recorded on camera. You should however still obey and respond respectfully to an officer when being pulled over.

 

When you see the flashing lights, be sure to slow down and pull over as soon as possible. Turn off your engine and place your hands on the steering wheel. Try to remain calm and avoid responding unnecessarily to the officer. The less you say the less of your alcoholic breath he will smell and slurred speech he will hear. When asked for your documents, simply hand them over. If asked to step out for a field sobriety test and you accept, make sure to move deliberately. The smoother your movements are the better for you.

 

A common starting point is the pen test where the officer has you focus on an object and moves it from side to side. Your ability to focus your eyes will help determine if you are drunk. The one leg stand is another test carried out that involves dividing your attention. You are typically asked to stand on one leg as you repeat the alphabet or a range of numbers. The nine step walk and turn is another test that also calls for divided attention as you the officer asks you to recite something as you walk down a straight line, toe to heel. A failure on any of these tests will usually result in an arrest but as mentioned, you can still be arrested if you decline the test in the first place.

 

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