Field Sobriety Tests & DWI in Virginia

Prince William County DWI Attorney

Field sobriety tests are particular tests administered by law enforcement after pulling a driver over to the side of the road for suspected DWI (driving while intoxicated) or DUI (driving under the influence). According to Virginia DWI law, a driver may face criminal charges for driving with a blood alcohol concentration of .08% or greater, or for operating a motor vehicle while his or her mental/physical abilities are impaired. Field sobriety tests are used to determine impairment of a driver's mental and/or physical abilities, to an extent that they affect his or her ability to safely drive.

Although you may have taken field sobriety tests and were told that you "failed," there are still numerous ways for an attorney to build an effective DWI defense strategy on your behalf. Let a Prince William County DWI attorney at our firm review your case and determine exactly how we can defend you against a conviction. At times, an officer may give improper instructions or a factor unrelated to intoxication may have led to poor performance (age, weight, a physical injury, illness, etc.). We can evaluate your unique case to determine how to help.

Standardized Field Sobriety Tests

There are three main tests which have been designated as Standardized Field Sobriety Tests by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHSTA), and these are:

• Walk and Turn - walk in a straight line, heel to toe, and then turn and walk in the opposite direction.
• Horizontal Gaze Nystagmus - follow an object or light with the eyes (the officer will look for an involuntary side-to-side jerking movement of the eyes.
• One Leg Stand - stand with one leg approximately 6 to 12 inches off the ground.

Additional tests that may be administered include: touching the finger to the tip of the nose, reciting the alphabet, or counting backward.

Contact a Prince William County DWI lawyer today!