What Evidence Can Challenge Field Sobriety Test Results?

Field sobriety tests are often used by law enforcement to assess whether a driver is impaired. These tests are designed to measure physical coordination, balance, and cognitive functioning, providing officers with evidence to justify an arrest. However, these tests aren’t infallible and can be challenged in court under certain circumstances.

Gene Ognibene Associates with an office in Clarendon, Illinois, understands evidence’s critical role in building a strong criminal defense. Challenging the validity of field sobriety test results can be an effective way to weaken the prosecution’s case. Read on to learn more about how specific evidence can undermine field sobriety test results and strengthen your defense.

Inherent Limitations of Field Sobriety Tests

Field sobriety tests, such as the Horizontal Gaze Nystagmus (HGN), Walk-and-Turn, and One-Leg Stand, have inherent limitations. These tests rely on subjective assessments by officers, making them prone to errors and inconsistencies. Factors such as poor lighting, uneven surfaces, or bad weather conditions can all impact test performance.

Additionally, individuals with certain medical conditions or physical impairments may fail these tests despite being sober. Conditions like vertigo, joint pain, or neurological disorders can significantly affect balance and coordination, leading to inaccurate results. These inherent flaws provide a strong basis for challenging test accuracy.

The subjective nature of these tests means that other evidence, such as medical records or expert testimony, can cast doubt on their validity. This lays the groundwork for further questioning the circumstances surrounding the testing process.

Officer Training and Administration Errors

The accuracy of field sobriety tests heavily depends on proper administration. Law enforcement officers are required to follow strict protocols when conducting these tests. Any deviation from these procedures can render the results unreliable.

Some key training and administration errors to keep in mind include:

• Inadequate training: Officers who lack proper training in field sobriety test administration may conduct the tests incorrectly, leading to skewed results.

• Failure to follow protocols: Officers must adhere to standardized guidelines. For example, failing to provide clear instructions or demonstrating the test incorrectly can affect a subject’s performance.

• Bias in assessment: An officer’s preconceived notions about the individual’s sobriety can influence their interpretation of the test results, creating unfair bias.

These errors can significantly undermine the reliability of field sobriety tests, opening the door for a strong criminal defense argument.

Environmental Factors Influencing Test Results

Environmental conditions play a crucial role in the outcome of field sobriety tests. Uneven pavement, poor visibility, or inclement weather can make it difficult for anyone to perform the tasks required during testing. Even a sober individual may struggle to balance or walk straight under such conditions.

For example, conducting a test on a sloped or gravel-covered surface can make the Walk-and-Turn test challenging. Similarly, rain or wind may distract the individual or affect their physical stability. Documenting these environmental factors with photos, videos, or eyewitness accounts can provide evidence to challenge the test results.

Transitioning into physical impairments, it’s essential to consider how medical conditions can further complicate performance during field sobriety testing.

Physical Impairments and Medical Conditions

Not everyone is physically capable of performing field sobriety tests, even under ideal conditions. Age, disabilities, and medical issues can significantly impact an individual’s ability to complete the tasks required.

Some key impairments to keep in mind include:

• Chronic conditions: Diseases like arthritis or neurological disorders can impair balance and coordination.

• Injuries: Recent injuries, such as sprains or fractures, can make tasks like walking a straight line impossible.

• Medications: Certain prescription medications can cause dizziness or muscle weakness, mimicking signs of impairment.

By presenting medical records or testimony from healthcare providers, you can highlight these impairments to question the validity of the test results. This evidence can play a pivotal role in building a solid criminal defense.

Use of Dashcam and Bodycam Footage

Dashcam and bodycam footage can provide invaluable insights into the circumstances surrounding field sobriety tests. These recordings may capture inconsistencies in how the tests were administered or show environmental factors that impacted performance.

For instance, footage may reveal that the officer failed to provide clear instructions or conducted the test on an uneven surface. It might also show signs of the driver’s sobriety, such as clear speech or steady movements, contradicting the officer’s claims.

Transitioning to the importance of expert testimony, such evidence can further strengthen your criminal defense by addressing flaws in the testing process.

Expert Testimony on Test Validity

Expert witnesses can be instrumental in challenging field sobriety test results. Professionals with knowledge in fields such as toxicology, medicine, or law enforcement procedures can provide credible testimony to dispute the prosecution’s evidence.

A toxicologist might explain how certain substances affect balance and coordination without causing impairment. Similarly, a medical expert can highlight how medical conditions or injuries could lead to false test results. These insights help to discredit the reliability of the tests and bolster your criminal defense.

Expert testimony, combined with other evidence like medical records or environmental documentation, creates a comprehensive strategy for undermining the prosecution’s case.

Alternative Explanations for Observed Behaviors

Field sobriety test results often rely on observed behaviors, such as swaying, stumbling, or failing to follow instructions. However, these behaviors can have alternative explanations unrelated to alcohol or drug use.

For example, swaying might be caused by fatigue, dehydration, or inner ear problems. Difficulty following instructions could stem from language barriers, hearing impairments, or anxiety during the traffic stop. Presenting evidence that supports these alternative explanations can cast doubt on the validity of the test results.

Transitioning to the impact of improper calibration, it’s important to consider how equipment malfunctions can further question the reliability of field sobriety tests.

Equipment Malfunctions and Calibration Issues

Field sobriety tests often go hand-in-hand with breathalyzer tests, which measure blood alcohol concentration (BAC). If the breathalyzer equipment isn’t properly calibrated or maintained, it can yield inaccurate results that undermine the credibility of the field sobriety tests.

Records of maintenance and calibration logs can be subpoenaed to verify whether the equipment used during the arrest was functioning correctly. Any discrepancies in these records can provide a strong foundation for challenging the prosecution’s evidence.

The use of video evidence, such as dashcam footage, can further highlight issues with equipment and test administration.

Police Conduct and Procedural Violations

Law enforcement officers must follow strict procedural guidelines when conducting field sobriety tests. Any deviation from these procedures can raise questions about the legitimacy of the test results.

Procedural violations may include failing to read Miranda rights, conducting the test without probable cause, or pressuring the individual to perform the test. Documenting these violations through witness statements or video evidence can strengthen your criminal defense.

When procedural violations are combined with other forms of evidence, they can significantly weaken the prosecution’s case and lead to a dismissal or reduction of charges.

Importance of Comprehensive Documentation

Documenting every aspect of the arrest and testing process is crucial for challenging field sobriety test results. Comprehensive documentation provides a clear picture of the circumstances surrounding the arrest and can reveal inconsistencies or errors.

This documentation might include police reports, medical records, witness statements, and video footage. Organizing this evidence effectively can help your attorney identify weaknesses in the prosecution’s case and build a strong defense.

Moreover, it’s clear that the right legal strategy can make all the difference in challenging field sobriety test results.

Contact Gene Ognibene Associates Today

Gene Ognibene Associates has served clients throughout the Chicago metropolitan area and across the state, along with Oak Brook, Westmont, Naperville, Bolingbrook, Downers Grove, and Hinsdale. Contact experienced criminal defense attorneys at Gene Ognibene Associates today to schedule a consultation.