Phoenix DUI Lawyer

Field Sobriety Tests: One-Leg Stand

Nearly anyone is familiar with the image of a DUI suspect standing on one leg by the side of the road, but the seriousness of the situation never fully hits home until you find yourself in that embarrassing and stressful position. If you were arrested for drunk driving after failing the One-Leg Stand test, come to the Knowles Law Firm for help from a Phoenix DUI lawyer. The firm includes a former police officer and a former Arizona Vehicular Crimes prosecutor, a background which gives them an advantage in fighting the charges you face. They will review every aspect of your arrest to find the most effective strategy for defending your rights.

Most law enforcement agencies employ a standardized series of field sobriety tests which were developed by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. These include the Walk-and-Turn, Horizontal Gaze Nystagmus, and the One-Leg Stand. This last one involves having the suspect stand with one foot six inches off the ground while counting out loud, until told to put the foot down, normally for 30 seconds. The officer watches for signs of intoxication, such as wobbling, using the arms to balance, putting the foot down and hopping. The NHTSA asserts that when two or more of these indicators are present, the test is 83% accurate at predicting that the suspect has a BAC over the legal limit.

One-Leg Stand and DUI Arrests

While the One-Leg Stand may be somewhat effective at detecting when an individual is under the influence of alcohol, it is not foolproof, and does not provide scientific evidence solid enough to support a conviction. An attorney from the firm is often able to invalidate the test results by subpoenaing the police car's dashboard video camera footage to demonstrate that the test was prejudiced by factors including bad weather, misleading directions, nervousness caused by intimidation from the police officer, improper footwear such as high heeled shoes or even the suspect's weight. When you face the possibility of harsh DUI penalties, come to the firm for help fighting the evidence.

If you have been arrested for drinking and driving after failing the one-leg stand, contact a Phoenix DUI attorney from the firm for dedicated legal defense to help you avoid a conviction.