While breath and blood alcohol content (BAC) tests play a vital role in arrests for those accused of driving under the influence of alcohol (DUI), there is another important step in police procedure that can affect a defendant’s charges and his or her defense in court: field sobriety tests. These tests are designed to gauge a subject’s mental and physical abilities and if they are able to multitask, something that is innately more difficult while intoxicated. They can also provide probable cause for a police officer to arrest the suspect and search his or her car. However, these tests are not always accurate.
Due to the differences in each test subject’s physical abilities, field sobriety tests do not always result in the same conclusions. On one hand, those with medical conditions or disabilities may not be able to complete some of the tests and may seem as if they are intoxicated. On the other, intoxicated individuals may be able to pass such tests due to their natural physical [...]
Read the Rest of "Understanding the Role of Field Sobriety Tests in Maryland DUI Arrests"
