Call for a free consultation with an
attorney / lawyer in the Dallas area
on your DWI case.
FIELD SOBRIETY TESTS in Texas
Driving While Intoxicated cases
(DWI's)
The police must have "probable cause" to
arrest someone for DWI. Typically, the
obtain this "probable cause" by having you
perform "field sobriety tests". Usually, these
are done before any request for breath or
blood samples is made. They are done to
try and prove you didn't have your "normal
use of your physical or mental faculties".
The NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety
Administration) provides guidance for police
officers who use field sobriety tests. The
tests are combined to provide a suposedly
"scientific" probability that the person is
intoxicated. Many departments add their own
tests, but the three tests listed below are the
standardized tests that most departments
use:
1) HGN: is the Horizontal Gaze Nystagmus
test.
This test is done to see if there is any
jerkiness in your eye or lack of smooth
pursuit. They hold an object (a pen, or
something similar), in front of the subject,
and ask them to hold their head still and
follow the pen with only the eyes.
In order to get a valid result, the test must be
performed correctly. Often the tests are
improperly administered.
2) Walk and Turn (WAT): This test is where
the officer has you walk an imaginary straight
line, turn a certain way, and then walk back
across this imaginary straight line. If, in the
officer's opinion, you step off this invisible
line, this is one of the clue's they count
against you. They also test your ability to
follow directions, your turn, your balance,
swaying, among other things.
3) One Leg Stand (OLS): This test has the
subject standing on one leg for 30 seconds.
The officer judges the person's ability to
follow directions, as well as their ability to
actually perform the test.
attorney / lawyer in the Dallas area
on your DWI case.
FIELD SOBRIETY TESTS in Texas
Driving While Intoxicated cases
(DWI's)
The police must have "probable cause" to
arrest someone for DWI. Typically, the
obtain this "probable cause" by having you
perform "field sobriety tests". Usually, these
are done before any request for breath or
blood samples is made. They are done to
try and prove you didn't have your "normal
use of your physical or mental faculties".
The NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety
Administration) provides guidance for police
officers who use field sobriety tests. The
tests are combined to provide a suposedly
"scientific" probability that the person is
intoxicated. Many departments add their own
tests, but the three tests listed below are the
standardized tests that most departments
use:
1) HGN: is the Horizontal Gaze Nystagmus
test.
This test is done to see if there is any
jerkiness in your eye or lack of smooth
pursuit. They hold an object (a pen, or
something similar), in front of the subject,
and ask them to hold their head still and
follow the pen with only the eyes.
In order to get a valid result, the test must be
performed correctly. Often the tests are
improperly administered.
2) Walk and Turn (WAT): This test is where
the officer has you walk an imaginary straight
line, turn a certain way, and then walk back
across this imaginary straight line. If, in the
officer's opinion, you step off this invisible
line, this is one of the clue's they count
against you. They also test your ability to
follow directions, your turn, your balance,
swaying, among other things.
3) One Leg Stand (OLS): This test has the
subject standing on one leg for 30 seconds.
The officer judges the person's ability to
follow directions, as well as their ability to
actually perform the test.
Law Office of Doug Goyen
15851 North Dallas Parkway #600
Dallas, Texas 75001
Local: (972) 599 4100
Fax: (972) 398 2629
Serving the Dallas Fort Worth. North Texas area
DWI / DUI Attorney / Lawyer - Serving the Dallas Fort Worth, North Texas area
15851 North Dallas Parkway #600
Dallas, Texas 75001
Local: (972) 599 4100
Fax: (972) 398 2629
Serving the Dallas Fort Worth. North Texas area
DWI / DUI Attorney / Lawyer - Serving the Dallas Fort Worth, North Texas area
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