2. The Standardized Field Sobriety Tests

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The officer can use clues like the smell of alcohol, red eyes or slurred speech as an opportunity to start a DWI investigation. Then, the next thing he will do is administer the standardized field sobriety tests. Even if you think you’ve passed all of the tests, the  officer can observe one clue out of all of the clues on all three tests ans  and can still continue his investigation. 

The HGN (Eye) Test

What you should expect

  • Officer will hold up a pen and tell you to follow it with your eyes while keeping your head still

What you should do

  • Refuse to perform the test

Head injuries may affect the result of this test

If your eyes jerk during this test, the officer may take it as an indication that you are intoxicated

The Walk and Turn

What you should expect

  • Officer will ask you to keep your feet in a heel-to-toe position, keep your arms at your side and listen to the instructions the officer gives you.
  • Officer will ask you to take nine heel-to-toe steps back and forth, while counting out loud and watching your feet

What you should do

  • Refuse to perform the test

Back or leg injuries may affect the result of this test

If you do any of the following (follow instructions poorly, your balance is off, you start too soon, you stop while walking, you don’t touch heel to toe, you step off line, you use your arms to balance, you lose balance on turns, you turn incorrectly or take the wrong number of steps),  the officer may take it as an indication that you are intoxicated

The One Legged Stand

What you should expect

  • Officer will ask you to raise your foot approximately 6 inches off the ground, with your toe pointed out
  • Officer will ask you to look at your foot and count out loud until he tells you to stop

What you should do

  • Refuse to perform the test

Back or leg injuries may affect the result of this test

If you do any of the following (sway while balancing, hop, put your foot down),  the officer may take it as an indication that you are intoxicated