Can You Beat a Field Sobriety Test?

 Posted on September 29, 2023 in DUI

You are stopped while driving by a local law enforcement officer who has asked you to participate in a field sobriety test. Now what? 

At this point, many drivers think that they are either not as intoxicated as they actually are or that they are smart or coordinated enough to beat the field sobriety test. No matter how well you do on this performance test or even if you refuse, you may soon need the services of a knowledgeable Arlington Heights, IL DUI lawyer.

What is a Field Sobriety Test?

Sometimes referred to as a roadside sobriety test, law enforcement officers use these assessments to help with DUI enforcement if they suspect a driver could be drunk or otherwise impaired by a substance while driving. Officers typically request a field sobriety test before asking a driver to submit to a breathalyzer test. 

The Standardized Field Sobriety Test (SFST) recommended by the National Highway Traffic and Safety Administration (NHTSA) helps an officer observe the driver's:

• Physical ability

• Balance

• Attention levels

• Ability to follow detailed directions

Along with other factors detected on a test’s performance, the officer can use these observations to help determine if the driver is intoxicated. Keep in mind that the results of a field sobriety test can be used as evidence in court. The results of this test can support the officer's probable cause for arrest in a DUI case.

Beating a Field Sobriety Test

In Illinois, you do have the right to refuse a field sobriety test. Refusing the test cannot be used as evidence at a trial and will not result in legal charges, unlike refusing to take a breathalyzer test. 

However, if you feel you need to do something to beat the test because the results could show you are intoxicated, you may be in trouble. Since field sobriety tests are based on your body's natural responses to certain stimuli, it is not usually possible to beat one if you are under the influence when driving. 

A field sobriety test is only one tool used by law enforcement officers to determine if they have probable cause to arrest you on suspicion of drunk driving. Whether you do well on the field sobriety test or not, there is a good chance that the officer may already have determined that you are intoxicated. Whatever has caused them to make this determination can also be used against you in court, no matter what happens with your field sobriety test. 

Are You Facing DUI Charges? Rely on Skilled Arlington Heights, IL DUI Lawyer, Scott F. Anderson 

A DUI conviction can have severe consequences in Illinois. These consequences are expensive and far-reaching, impacting your ability to drive, your social life, and even your work and family life. Those who are charged with a DUI need a Rolling Meadows, IL DUI attorney who has experience successfully defending DUI clients, no matter what the evidence against them might be. Contact Scott F. Anderson, Attorney at Law online or by phone at 847-253-3400 today to schedule a free case consultation.