Reader’s Question:

I know some people who have been arrested for DUI here in Jacksonville, Florida and all of them practically failed the field sobriety tests. What can you advice me on taking these field sobriety tests?

Rafael

Jacksonville, FL

Many doubt the accuracy of field sobriety tests in finding out whether or not a person is driving under the influence. In my honest opinion, field sobriety tests (FST) are very inaccurate. FST’s are completely subjective and should not be used as proof of guilt in any DUI court proceeding. I doubt if anyone has ever passed a field sobriety test in Jacksonville, Florida. If the police officer wants to arrest you, you can bet the night in jail that your performance on FST’s will make little difference.

It is very difficult to discern an inch difference in the placement of your feet on a dark highway with little to no light, and to stand on one foot while counting for 30 seconds at a time, without ever moving a muscle or slightly adjusting a leg. Standing on one foot for thirty seconds is hard to do at all, sober or not and you don’t have to believe me, try it. You just have to make sure your foot does not touch your leg or almost touch the ground, and make sure you don’t sway too much while doing so either. I have heard all these grounds used as a police officer’s reasoning to arrest someone for DUI. So my advice is, do not take any FST because you don’t have any obligation by law to take these tests.

Tags: DUI, DUI advice