Challenging Sobriety Tests

Call Our Cherry Hill DWI Attorney Today

During a DWI arrest, police will often employ one or more “field sobriety tests,” which are essentially coordination exercises. In theory, these tests are designed to help the officer determine whether or not someone is impaired. In reality, these tests are wildly inconsistent, inaccurate, and are rarely administered in the proper way.

If you’ve been arrested for DWI, our Cherry Hill DWI lawyer can help defend you by picking apart the results of your field sobriety and / or blood or breath tests. When you retain the Law Offices of Christopher L. Baxter, we will create a comprehensive defense strategy that is designed to minimize your penalties, or get your charges dismissed altogether. Attorney Baxter has handled more than 3,200 DWI cases over the last 25 years, and has been named a Top DWI Attorney since 2009.

When you need aggressive defense against DWI charges, call our firm at 856-235-9881.

The Eye Test: Horizontal Gaze Nystagmus

One of the most commonly administered sobriety tests is the horizontal gaze nystagmus test. When this test is administered, you will be required to hold your head still while the police officer holds a stimulus in front of your eyes (usually a flashlight or pen). They will then move the stimulus back and forth, and monitor your eyes for signs of nystagmus, a condition which essentially makes the eyes perform uncontrolled or “choppy” movements.

This is one of the most notoriously inaccurate tests, as many other conditions can cause nystagmus, including:

The Romberg Test

This common field sobriety test is used to test your balance and proprioception. Due to inconsistencies in how this test is administered, the results can be extremely unreliable. There are also a number of other conditions, besides being drunk, that could cause you to perform poorly on this test.

The Romberg test involves you standing straight and still with your eyes closed, while the officer monitors you for any signs of swaying or inability to stand still. In most cases, an experienced Cherry Hill DWI attorney can quickly call the results of this test into question.

Walking a Straight Line

When most people think of field sobriety tests, they picture a person attempting to walk a straight line. This test is designed to check for a lack of balance or coordination, but is not without its faults. In many cases, sloped or uneven pavement can cause poor results. Inconsistencies with how this test is administered can usually weaken its effectiveness in court.

Facing DWI Charges? Call 856-235-9881 Today.

If you’re charged with DWI, you need tough, aggressive defense. While many law firms will take a DWI case, few of them have the knowledge and experience to pick apart field sobriety tests and breathalyzer results. At the Law Offices of Christopher L. Baxter, our attorney has extensively studied field sobriety testing procedures, completed breathalyzer training courses, and handled more than 3,200 DWI cases. This gives our firm a unique understanding of DWI law and insight on how to look for weaknesses in the prosecution’s case.

Don’t take chances with DWI charges. Call our experienced attorney today for a free consultation.