Field Sobriety Tests in illinois

DUI Defense in Peoria

There are a few surefire ways that a police officer can determine if a person is operating a vehicle under the influence of drugs or alcohol. Obvious swerving, hesitation, varying speeds and straddling a lane line can be some of the most obvious forms of drunk driving while a vehicle is in motion, and such behavior may prompt an officer to stop you. Once the vehicle is stopped, an officer will ask questions regarding your sobriety and may ask you to submit to a field sobriety test. These tests are used as a tool for an officer to determine overall sobriety, and based off the performance of the field test, you may be asked to adhere to a breath or blood test.

Types of Field Sobriety Tests

Although these tests are common in determining overall sobriety, they can still be challenged. Field sobriety tests are not foolproof and there may be a lot of different factors that can cause an officer to assume that a person is driving under the influence. Common mistakes that may cause complications are described below for each of the types of field sobriety tests:

Walk and Turn

In this test, a driver is asked to walk toe to toe in a straight line, stop, and turn around to walk back. These tests are conducted outside on the side of the road, so uneven pavement, weather conditions and general clumsiness may cause an inaccurate test result.

One-Leg Stand

During a one-leg-stand test, a person will be asked to balance on one leg for 25 to 30 seconds. They may be asked to touch their nose or hold their arms out. An officer will look for swaying, uneven balance, and overuse of arms to keep them balanced. In some cases, however, even sober people have medical conditions or are incapable of balancing on one leg.

Horizontal Gaze Nystagmus

This test looks for nystagmus, or the bouncing of the eyes as they move. Drunken individuals exhibit a jerking movement whereas sober individuals do not. The HGN test can be hard to determine if it is accurate, especially if the test is being conducted on the side of a road with cars and lights or during extreme weather conditions.

Retain an Aggressive DUI Attorney in Peoria from McCall Law Offices, P.C.

If you feel that you were wronged and wish to speak with an attorney regarding your rights, you need to contact McCall Law Offices, P.C. as soon as possible. Our dedicated staff can provide you with the best possible representation and help you receive the outcome that you desire. In the event that your rights were infringed upon, we will use the wrongs done to you as part of a strong defense and aggressively attack the prosecuting attorneys. You deserve to be treated as an individual, and when you work with McCall Law Offices, P.C., you can be sure that your case will be handled properly. Contact the firm today to schedule a free case evaluation with a Peoria criminal defense lawyer now!