Field Sobriety Testing in a Forsyth Co. DUI
If a Forsyth County police officer suspects a driver of DUI, they will typically ask the driver to submit to field sobriety tests. There are only 3 field sobriety tests that are validated and in which Forsyth County officers receive training. These tests are the horizontal gaze nystagmus (HGN) test, the walk and turn test, and the one leg stand test.
During the HGN test, the officer will check the drivers eyes for involuntary jerking motions. The walk and turn requires the driver to take 9 steps along a real or imaginary line, to turn around, and to take nine steps back along the line. The one leg stand requires the driver stand on one leg for 30 seconds.
The HGN is the most scientific and reliable of the tests, but all the tests require the appropriate administration by the officers. They also require the the officers observations of indicators of intoxication and the officers observations are inherently subjective.
If you have been arrested for a DUI, call Forsyth County DUI attorney Richard S. Lawson for a free
case consultation. DUI cases can be fought and won. Mr. Lawson has completed field sobriety test instructor training and is familiar with the proper administration of such tests. In many cases, he can impeach the credibility of the officers when they improperly conduct such testing.