Eight Most Common Field Sobriety Tests

When an officer pulls someone over suspecting the driver to be under the influence of alcohol, the officer usually has the suspect perform one or more of the 8 most common field sobriety tests. Essentially, the tests are a series of roadside physical exercises, testing for signs of physical impairment known to be caused by alcohol intoxication, such as the inability to perform certain mental and physical multitasking exercises. If the individual performs poorly, the officer uses it as a way to establish probable cause for a DWI arrest. The 8 Most Common Field Sobriety Tests Include:

  1. Horizontal gaze nystagmus;
  2. Walk-and-turn;
  3. One-leg stand;
  4. Modified-position-of-attention (Romberg test);
  5. Finger-to-nose;
  6. Recite the alphabet;
  7. Touch each finger of hand to thumb counting with each touch; and
  8. Count backwards from a number.

Many law enforcement agencies continue to use all of those field sobriety tests. During the next month, we will be going into detail about all of the 8 most common field sobriety tests. DWIs can have other serious consequences, so if you’ve been arrested for operating a vehicle while intoxicated, contact a skilled Baton Rouge DWI lawyer at the Russell Law Firm, LLC. The Russell Law Firm, LLC represents clients in DWI cases throughout the State of Louisiana, including the parishes of East Baton Rouge Parish, West Baton Rouge Parish, Plaquemines Parish, Livingston Parish, Ascension Parish, Jefferson Parish, Orleans Parish, St. Charles Parish, Terrebonne Parish, Assumption Parish, Lafayette Parish, Lafourche Parish, Lafayette Parish, St. Landry Parish, Evangeline Parish; and the cities of Baton Rouge, Livingston, Denham Springs, Walker, Gonzales, Donaldsonville, Port Allen, Brusly, Addis, Lafayette, Napoleonville, Kenner, Harvey, Marrero, Estelle, Gretna, Metairie, New Orleans, Terrytown, Westwego, Ville Platte, Eunice, Opelousas, Thibodaux, Houma, Belle Chasse, and Hahnville. DWI Lawyers at the Russell Law Firm, LLC are skilled, experienced, and knowledgeable about the Louisiana DWI laws, related non-DWI statutes, and how to evaluate evidence that law enforcement and prosecutors might try to use against you. If you or someone you know is facing a potential DWI conviction, contact a DWI attorney at the Russell Law Firm, LLC at 225-307-0088. We offer free, no obligation initial consultations.

By: Danny Russell, Esq.

Information furnished herein is only general and not a substitute for personalized legal advice. ****The photograph above is not a depiction of any actual event or scene, but merely a dramatization.

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