DUI Field Sobriety Tests
DUI Lawyer in Vancouver WA
Roger Priest is a criminal defense attorney in Vancouver WA with extensive courtroom experience in Washington’s complex criminal laws
DUI Field sobriety tests are a battery of mental and physical tests police put drivers through to decide whether a driver has been drinking and whether the driver seems impaired by alcohol.
Field sobriety tests are voluntary under the law. In fact, the tests are inadmissible in court if the police don’t tell that they are voluntary. However, Washington DUI law defines voluntary to mean simply that it is not against the law to refuse the tests. Prosecutors are allowed to argue to a jury that a refusal to do the tests is evidence of guilt.
Another problem with field sobriety tests is that they are built on shaky science. Field sobriety tests are often poorly documented. Therefore at trial, the officer simply testifies as to how the person did on the tests.
So, to take or not to take DUI Field Sobriety Tests? That is the question. There are consequences to both taking and refusing field sobriety tests. Unless you are very familiar with the tests, it is possible to fail simply because you didn’t know what was being tested. Refusing to take the tests can also be used against you. Proceed with caution, whichever way you choose. Either way, understanding how the tests work will better help you decide what choice to make.
Contact Us Now
Horizontal Gaze Nystagmus (HGN) Field Sobriety Test
The Horizontal Gaze Nystagmus (HGN) test is an eye test. It is the DUI field sobriety test where the officer has you follow his pen with your eyes. At its most basic level, the HGN test checks for nystagmus (involuntary jerking of the eye muscles). While everyone experiences nystagmus, it is often imperceptible. Drinking alcohol causes nystagmus to worsen so that it can be observed.
What is Nystagmus?
Your eyes are moved by your eye muscles. When you look anywhere other than straight ahead, your eye muscles have to do work. As your eye muscles work, they get tired. Nystagmus is when the strain is noticeable. Imagine if you held a dumbbell up with your arm. Eventually, your arm would get tired and your arm would shake from fatigue. Your eyes are no different. If you strain your eyes to the side, your eyes will jerk back towards center imperceptibly. As you drink alcohol, the nystagmus becomes more pronounced and can be seen.
The HGN test checks for nystagmus in three phases, where a total of six clues of nystagmus are tested (three phases times two eyes per phase).
Phase 1 – Lack of Smooth Pursuit
In the first phase, officers check for a “lack of smooth pursuit”. In this phase, the officer passes the pen slowly from side to side, back and forth.
The officer looks to see if the eye jerks (stops and starts) along the path of following the pen. If both eyes jerk, that constitutes two clues of nystagmus.
Phase 2 – Distinct and Sustained Nystagmus at Maximum Deviation
In the second phase, officers check for “distinct and sustained nystagmus at maximum deviation”. In this phase, the officer holds the pen off to one side of your peripheral vision and asks you to focus on the pen. The officer is checking for “distinct and sustained” nystagmus. The phase is repeated for the second eye and if both eyes jerk, that constitutes two more clues of nystagmus.
Phase 3 – Onset of Nystagmus Prior to 45 Degrees
In the third phase, officers check for an “onset of nystagmus prior to 45 degrees”. In this last phase, the officer holds pen about 45 degrees off from just in front of your nose (i.e., just past your ear). After testing both eyes, if the officer sees jerking at this lesser angle in both eyes, that constitutes two final clues of nystagmus. Officers are trained to say you failed this test if they see four “clues” of nystagmus out of the six possible.
The science behind this test suggests that the first type of nystagmus you will show from drinking is the “lack of smooth pursuit”. As you get more impaired, you will show “distinct and sustained nystagmus at maximum deviation”. The more alcohol you consume, you will eventually show an “onset of nystagmus prior to 45 degrees”.
There have been some correlation studies holding that showing all six clues is a reliable indicator that your blood alcohol concentration is above the legal limit of 0.08%.
If You Have Been Charged With A DUI In Clark County or Vancouver WA, Time Is Of The Essence!
Call Our Office To Speak With Attorney Roger Priest Immediately.
(360) 281-7314The Walk and Turn Field Sobriety Test
The second test during a routine DUI arrest investigation is a “divided attention test” called the “Walk and Turn Test”. A divided attention test is designed to divide one’s attention amongst several tasks, including listening to instructions, remembering the instructions, following the instructions, performing physical tasks, and performing mental tasks all at the same time.
During the Walk and Turn test, the officer tells you to stand with one foot in front of the other, touching heel-to-toe, while receiving the instructions. The purpose of having you stand this way is to force you to receive the instructions while balancing, thereby dividing your attention between the two tasks.
While standing there, you are instructed that you will take nine steps down a line (often imaginary), touching each step heel-to-toe, and counting each step out loud while looking at your feet. After nine steps, you are instructed that you will keep you lead foot planted and take a serious of small steps with your other foot until you are facing down the line. You are then instructed to take nine more steps back down the line in the exact manner as before. Once the instructions are finished and you are given an opportunity to ask any clarifying questions, the officer looks for 8 specific indicators of impairment:
- Are you able to balance during the instructions?
- Did you start the test before the instructions were done?
- Did you stop while walking?
- Did you fail to to touch heel-to-toe on any steps?
- Did you step off line?
- Did you use your arms for balance?
- Did you lose your balance during the turn or turn incorrectly?
- Did you take the wrong number of steps?
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration validation studies indicate that showing 2 or more of the above indicators of impairment are 68% reliable to show a blood alcohol concentration of 0.10%. If you step off line 3 or more times, seem to be in danger of falling, or cannot complete the test at all, officers are taught to end the test and consider that a “failure” of the test.
The One Leg Stand Field Sobriety Test
The final standardized field sobriety test is another divided attention test, called the One Leg Stand Test. In that test, the officer instructs you to stand with you feet together while you receive the instructions. You are instructed to raise one leg of your choosing and maintain the other foot about 6 inches off of the ground and parallel to the ground. While looking at that foot, you are supposed to count out loud “one thousand and one”, “one thousand and two”, “one thousand and three”, etc. The officer keeps time and tells you to stop when his timer reaches thirty. During the test, the officer looks for 4 specific indicators of impairment:
- Did you sway while balancing?
- Did you use your arms for balancing?
- Did you hop?
- Did you put your foot down?
Officers are trained that 2 or more of these indicators constitutes a failure of the test. The NHTSA validation studies suggest that 2 or more of these indicators shows a blood alcohol concentration of 0.10% approximately 65% of the time. If you put your foot down 3 or more times during the test or cannot complete the test, the officer is trained to end the test and treat it as a failure.
Portable Breath Test
Officers often want to make sure you are DUI before making an arrest, so they offer a portable breath test. Any competent DUI attorney in Washington can keep portable breath test results out of your trial, because they are unreliable. Because they are inadmissible at trial, you decision to take or refuse the portable breath test matters little at trial. However, the results of a portable breath test can be used in pretrial hearings to attack or support probable cause when trying to suppress evidence. Therefore, there may be reasons for and against taking a portable breath test. Some individuals who think they might be below the legal limit may wish to take a practice go before deciding whether to provide a later breath test at the police station or jail.
What Our Clients Say About Us
Roger handled my case promptly and painlessly. We are from out of state and had spoken with quite a few attorneys in the area before we made the trip. Roger was middle of the road cost-wise (which was truly fair)and was clearly competent, handling the case in one trip over as oppose to the two or even three trip process many of the others were communicating would be the case. I would hire again without a second thought. Thanks again Roger.
Shelley W
Excellent responsiveness, considerate and honest. Roger got the job done results were in my favor. Couldn’t be happier, Highly recommend!!
Karin Saltz
Roger Priest provided truly exceptional service for a family member of mine. He was an extraordinary value for the level of knowledge and proffessionalism he provided. My loved one got the deal of a lifetime thanks to him. If any of my friends or family are ever in a less than fortunate spot and need legal advice Roger will always be my #1 reccomendation.
Taylor Vance
Roger Priest is professional, intelligent and experienced, you can tell by the way he holds himself in court. Out of the 21 lawyers I interviewed and compared on an excel spreadsheet. I put my trust in Roger and he didn\'t let me down.
Aaron M
Roger Priest was my Criminal Attorney for a DUI case I had in 2018. Through out the whole process he was in contact and always was reassuring! He gave his honest opinion on rather or not if my case would be worth going to trial, which is hard to come by! Today I left the courtroom a free man to come home to my family with a lot of tension lifted off my shoulders because of how he was articulate and presented my defense. I am very lucky to have him in my corner and to be spared. I will take this experience as a wake up call because these opportunities don\\\'t come too often! Mr. Priest definitely deserves a 5 star rating for his devotion and overall performance.
JB
Roger Priest was referred to me by another lawyer (who could not take my case). Out of the 3 lawyers I reached out to Mr. Priest was willing to hear my case and not just try and convince me to take the easy route and plead out. He was informative, honest, and very tactical (in his approach with my case). Mr. Priest not only kept me updated with his plans and what to except he involved me in every aspect I could be in. He was very approachable and kind. I won my case, I wouldn’t have if I had gone with another lawyer. I am very satisfied with having had Roger Priest defend me. I hope to never have to use his services again but definitely would rehire him again (I wish I could hire him as my divorce attorney).
Alicia S.
I recently consulted Roger for my first and only legal matter. He explained at length the legal ramifications that i was facing and he listened closely to all my questions and concerns. He was very attentive and empathic towards my situation and did not rush through things. I would highly recommend Roger to anyone I know seeking legal representation.
Itzel Keefer
Awards & Honors
Speak With A Lawyer Now.
Free Consultation Available!
We aim to provide unparalleled service, and love to hear back from current and former clients. Check out our business profiles below and feel free to leave a review if you liked working with us. If you ever have questions or concerns about your case or our service, please give us a call. We aim to make sure our clients get the best information and walk away from our legal business with the utmost confidence. No question or concern is too small to call.
I earn my living by earning the trust and respect of my clients. As a prospective client, I hope to show you this first-hand.
