Generally, there are three tests that are given when field sobriety tests are performed. One of the tests is called the one-legged stand, another is known as a nine step walk and turn, and a third test is called a horizontal gaze nystagmus, also referred to as an HGN test. These are standardized tests that have been approved and recommended by the National Highway Traffic and Safety Administration. A person’s performance on these tests plays a big role in the determination to charge them with DUI or not. However, the cops administering these tests may not be objective and may not accurately describe what they see, or may judge someone as under the influence when there is a different reason for their behavior.

If you have been given one or more of these tests and they resulted in you being arrested for and charged with DUI, there are things your Pittsburgh DUI attorney can look at to determine if those tests were given in the right way; for example, if the nine steps and turn was performed on an inclined plane or a flat one, or if you were given the proper instructions by the officer. If the tests were recorded on the officer’s dash cam, your attorney will examine that video to see if the field sobriety tests were performed properly.

There are other tests a police officer can administer that have not been standardized. He can ask you to recite the alphabet, or count backwards. He can ask you to tilt your head backwards and/or touch your nose with your finger.

There are often medical or other reasons for a person to “fail” a field sobriety test. Certain medical conditions cause a person to be unable to walk a straight line or stand on one foot. Others prevent a person from following an object only with their eyes. Your Pittsburgh criminal defense DUI attorney will be able to show the court documentation of such conditions and get your charges dropped.

If you have been charged with DUI, the first thing you need to do is hire a dedicated and experienced Pittsburgh DUI attorney. Then, you need to explain to him, in detail, the circumstances of your arrest. He will explain your charges, what happens next, and what your options are.

Being convicted of Driving Under the Influence can cause all types of upheaval for you and your family. Hiring an experienced attorney as soon as you are arrested is the best thing you can do for yourself and your loved ones. Get the legal help you deserve and call Logue Law Group for a free consultation. The Pittsburgh DUI attorneys at Logue Law Group are committed to assisting clients to get the finest results they can. They are aggressive and tenacious, and willing to go head to head with prosecutors to win your case.

Remember that your Pittsburgh DUI attorney will need all the facts. Don’t hesitate to trust and confide in him, so he can work his hardest for you. He will be able to explain your charges to you in detail, as well as describe your options. He will stand beside you as you navigate the criminal justice system.

If you or a loved one has been charged with Driving Under the Influence in or around the city of Pittsburgh, you will need an experienced criminal defense attorney. The Logue Criminal Defense team serves Pittsburgh, PA, and the surrounding areas, including West Virginia and Ohio. To get in touch and schedule a free initial consultation with an experienced Pittsburgh Criminal Defense lawyer from Logue Law Group, call us today at 412.387.6901 or 412.387.6901. Or, you can contact us online.

Don’t wait to call! The longer you wait to hire an attorney, the more difficult it becomes for him or her to get a good outcome for you and your case. Call today!

What are the Field Sobriety Tests Pennsylvania Uses?

Field sobriety tests help an officer more clearly see your physical condition. If you are stopped, and the officer smells alcohol on your breath or has observed you doing things that are associated with drinking and driving (like hugging the curb or weaving within your lane or into and out of your lane), you may be asked to complete one or more tests. Usually, there are three main field sobriety tests used in Pennsylvania. They are:

• Walk a straight line
• One-legged stand
• Horizontal gaze nystagmus test

The Problems with Field Sobriety Tests

Field sobriety tests, as stated above, give police officers a picture of your physical condition, specifically your agility and balance, and your ability to follow more than one direction at a time.

The problem is, some of these tests are difficult even for sober people. A person with a processing difficulty may be stone cold sober but unable to complete more than one set of directions at a time. Someone with eye problems may not be able to follow a pen with only their eyes. And, an older person or a person with weak core muscles may not be able to walk in a straight line. A well-trained and experienced Pittsburgh criminal defense attorney will know this and use this information to defend a client against DUI charges.

Breathalyzer

A breathalyzer test is a machine into which you blow air, or breath, from your lungs. The machine then measures your Blood Alcohol Concentration based on that breath. Many times, you will be arrested and taken to the police station to take a breathalyzer, because that’s generally where it is kept. Blood Alcohol Concentration, also called BAC, is measured in percents, and is the percent of alcohol that is found in your system. The legal limit in Pennsylvania is 0.08 percent. If your breathalyzer shows that percentage or higher, you will be charged with Driving Under the Influence. It’s important to remember that breathalyzer results are not always accurate, and the test is not always administered following proper protocols. Also, there is a short window of time in which the police can test using a breathalyzer. If they wait too long to test you after they arrest you, the results could be invalid.

The Results of Field Sobriety Tests

One of the reasons that you need the help of a DUI attorney with experience is that the cop who arrests you may not give you the specific details of your arrest. An experienced attorney will know the latest updates in DUI law and will have a good understanding of the system. He will begin immediately to reduce your charges or eliminate them altogether. He will go over the results of the field sobriety tests you were given, as well as breath and blood tests, to look for inconsistencies. He’ll look at the video of your arrest, if one was recorded, and develop the best defense he can, based on the details of your specific case.

Have you failed one or more field sobriety tests, and been charged with DUI? Then you will need a criminal defense lawyer experienced in defending DUI. The Logue Criminal Defense team has helped hundreds of clients defend themselves against DUI charges. Logue Law Group serves Pittsburgh, PA, West Virginia, and Ohio. Call today to schedule an initial consultation, free of charge, at 412.387.6901 or 412.387.6901. We can also be contacted online.