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Recent Posts in Field Sobriety Tests Category
| December 15, 2010 |
| Sacramento Kings Coach Arrested for DUI |
| Posted By Admin |
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Mario Elie, assistant coach for the Sacramento Kings basketball team, was arrested for suspicion of driving under the influence in California last Thursday. He was stopped around 1:15 a.m. by California highway patrol for having a broken taillight. The officer detected alcohol and signs of impairment and asked Elie to submit to a series of field sobriety tests. Elie registered a blood alcohol content above 0.08% and was booked on charges of CA DUI.
If you or someone you know has been charged with a DUI, contact our office today. The DUI attorneys at the Hedding law firm will collect all the facts pertaining to your unique DUI case and fight the charges against you. Our number one objective is to get your charges dismissed, we will work hard to get the best possible outcome for your case. |
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| October 29, 2010 |
| The Do's and Don'ts Related to a DUI Stop |
| Posted By Admin |
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Thousands of people are pulled over or stopped at check points every month in Los Angeles County, because the police believe they are driving under the influence of alcohol. This guide discusses the "dos" and "don'ts" of your interaction with law enforcement.
"The Dos Related to a DUI Stop"
If you have no alcohol or illegal contraband in your system when the police pull you over, then cooperate with the police and you will be on your way quickly. If you are or may be under the influence of a controlled substance, then you should attempt to make your interaction with the police as brief as possible. You do not have to perform any field sobriety tests. If the police believe you are intoxicated and ask you to perform a blood or breath test, then you are obligated by law to cooperate with them. When the police pull you over for suspicion of DUI, they are looking to talk to you, so they can smell your breath and hear whether your speech is slurred. Again, make your comments quick and to the point. If you have drank anything, do not get behind the wheel. If you have consumed any alcohol, cooperated with the police, but be very matter of fact and as short as possible.
"The Don'ts Related to a DUI Stop"
Don't admit that you where drinking, or you will immediately be ordered out of your car and asked to perform the field sobriety tests. Don't refuse to complete a chemical test when asked to by the police. If you do, it will be considered a refusal - you will lose your license for 1 year and will be presumed guilty in a court of law. Do not think that you can talk your way out of the situation...you can't. The police (especially the CHP) are trained to build a case against you from the moment they see your car on the road. They are not your friend and are trying to build an air tight case against you. Again, be brief and cooperative and volunteer nothing.
There is much information on the Internet regarding DUIs and there defense. However, much of it is not accurate or taken out of context. There is no substitute for sitting down with a seasoned DUI attorney that has practiced in the court your case is pending. If you have been charged with a DUI, contact the Hedding Law firm today to set up a free face-to-face consultation.
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| October 15, 2010 |
| DUI: Field Sobriety Tests Explained |
| Posted By Admin |
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When an officer suspects that a driver may be intoxicated, they may ask the driver to perform a series of voluntary tests. These tests are called field sobriety tests and they include exercises that test one's balance, motor skills, and lucidity.
Some sobriety tests are:
Stand on one foot at a time: An officer will probably be looking for raising of the arms, swaying, hopping, putting the foot down, inability to stand still, body tremors or muscle tension.
Follow the pen (a.k.a: Nystagmus): An officer places an object, such as a pen, 12 inches away from the driver's face, and moves the object side to side while watching the driver's eyes. The officer will probably look for involuntary jerking or trembling of the eyeball.
The Rhomber Balance test: The driver is asked to tilt his or her head back, close his/her eyes and count 30 seconds silently. An officer will probably look for the inability to stand steady, body or eyelids shaking, opening eyes to maintain balannce, swaying or muscle tension. This also tests a person's "internal clock", which may be slowed with the use of alcohol, or sped up with the use of stimulants.
Walk and turn: The driver takes "heel-to-toe" steps in line then turns and takes the same number of "heel-to-toe" steps back. The officer will probably check for whether the individual can balance, follow instructions, be coordinated, and start/stop when asked.
Finger to Nose: The driver closes one of his or her eyes, must stand straight with feet together and touch index finger to nose. The officer will probably look for body sway or tremors, eyelid tremors or muscle tension.
Other field sobriety tests are:
- Walk in a straight line
- Touch each finger, one after the other, to thumb
- Count backwards
- Recite or sing the alphabet
The purpose of field sobriety tests are to check an individual's motor skills and "divided attention," a critical skill used while operating a motor vehicle. A breath test is a chemical test to estimate the level of intoxication. Field sobriety tests are voluntary, but refusal to cooperate may result in an automatic arrest.
If you have been recently charged with a DUI offense and have more questions regarding your unique case, come see a DUI lawyer at the Hedding Law Firm. Experienced in their field, a hardworking DUI attorney will help you fight off the Los Angeles DUI and provide more information about your driver's license and driving privileges. |
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