Contesting The Results Of Your March Madness Field Sobriety Test

Close your eyes and imagine this: you are sitting at a bar with three of your closest friends, watching a March Madness game.

The night goes very, very well. And, right after this night ends, you begin driving home, to your house in Schaumburg.

You drive for less than five minutes and, during this time, are pulled over. The officer who pulls you over asks you to conduct field sobriety tests.

Right after you conduct these tests, you are arrested. This quickly leads to a DUI charge, which is now preventing you from driving and living the life that you wish to live.

Going over what you can do to contest the results of your March Madness field sobriety tests and contacting a Schaumburg DUI defense attorney will allow you to obtain the best possible legal outcome.

Are Field Sobriety Tests Accurate?

The answer to the question outlined above is “Sometimes.”

Other times, though, field sobriety tests can be incredibly inaccurate.

If a test is administered incorrectly, it guarantees inaccurate results. Even if a test is administered correctly, a wide variety of other factors can affect its accuracy.

Just as an example, if the weather is cold and windy, or you are anxious due to having been pulled over or suffered a recent injury- but not intoxicated – then that can lead to a false-positive test result.

You can use these facts to defend yourself from the results of the field sobriety test you have taken.

Does An Officer Need To Be Qualified To Conduct A Field Sobriety Test?

The answer to this question is “Yes.”

If an officer wishes to conduct a field sobriety test, they must be qualified to do so. But, if that particular officer is not qualified to do so, then they cannot conduct a field sobriety and expect its results to be admissible.

You must prove, then, that the officer who conducted the test was unqualified to do so.

Proving the above will allow the results of that particular test to no longer be used against you.

What Is The Role Of Probable Cause?

If an officer wants to pull you over for driving under the influence, they must have probable cause.

Probable cause, within the context outlined within this piece, is a reasonable suspicion that you are intoxicated.

If an officer does not have probable cause then, legally, they cannot pull you over and expect the results that arise from pulling you over – a failed field sobriety test, for example – to be admissible.

You can contest whether or not probable cause was at play when you were pulled over. And, in doing so, you can allow the results of your field sobriety test to be barred from being used against you.

Get Qualified Legal Help

If you need representation for a DUI charge, Glasgow & Olsson is uniquely qualified to help you. 

Thomas Glasgow has lectured statewide on DUI practice and law for the Illinois Institute of Continuing Legal Education.  He is recognized as an authority in this area of law, and in addition to lecturing, he also writes for the statewide DUI manual.  When you need an attorney, experience matters.

Speak with a Schaumburg DUI defense lawyer today to learn how our experience can get you the results you deserve.