Police in Alabama routinely use field exercises that were rejected after exhaustive studies under expensive federal grants. These include: THE ALPHABET TEST; THE FINGER COUNT TEST; COUNTING BACKWARDS; TOUCHING FINGER TO NOSE TEST; MODIFIED BALANCE TEST - ESTIMATE 30 SECONDS WITH EYE CLOSED AND HEAD TILTED BACK. These Field Sobriety Tests are not scientific or reliable. In almost every case in Alabama, these tests are conducted in a manner which is not approved by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration by police officers who do not know how to properly conduct these exercises.
Proper cross examination of the arresting officer can demonstrate that these exercises do not predict impairment for the purposes of driving a motor vehicle. The scientist hired by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Marceline Burns, has admitted that the field tests do not measure impairment. She has also admitted that they are unreliable unless they are administered in strict compliance with STANDARDIZED TESTING PROCEDURES.
A recent published scientific study evaluated 100 videotapes of police conducting the follow the pen eye test and found that each and every officer performed the test wrong. Cross-examination of police officers with their very own training manuals routinely demonstrates their lack of knowledge and skill. Experienced DUI Trial Lawyers will file Pre-Trial Motions challenging the use of this unreliable and prejudicial evidence and limiting the ability of the Prosecutor to create an "Aura of Science" or even call them "Tests".
10 Ways To Discredit Field Sobriety Tests
- Field Sobriety Tests Are Not Scientific
- The Officer Was Not Properly Trained
- The Officer Did Not Use Standardized NHTSA Tests
- The Officer Did Not Properly Instruct You On How To Perform Tests
- The Officer Did Not Use Objective Standardized Scoring Criteria
- The Officer Had You Perform The Tests Under Improper Conditions
- Your Age Or Weight Make You An Improper Candidate For Tests
- You Have A Physical Disability That Makes You An Improper Candidate For Tests
- You Have A Psychological Condition That Makes You An Improper Subject For Tests
- The Officer Exaggerated About Your Performance On The Tests
After a DUI charge, the key is to determine whether or not the field sobriety tests as administered are valid evidence. If you were pulled over and administered a field sobriety test and want more information on your rights and how you may fight these charges, speak with an Alabama DUI lawyer. For a free case evaluation, complete the free form on this page.
