If you are pulled over for driving while intoxicated then you may be expected to accept sobriety exams. These exams will be physical as well as cognitive checks meant to aid the police in identifying if an individual is sober. Because these kinds of tests have been said to be unfair and erroneous, the National Highway Traffic and Safety Administration (NHTSA) has developed standardized field sobriety exams. The NHTSA standard assessments are:
- A test designed to have you stand on one leg
- The turn-and-walk test
- The HGN (horizontal gaze nystagmus) exam
Most of these field sobriety assessments are developed to gauge your sense of balance and dexterity, along with your reaction time. However, there are likewise numerous non-standardized field sobriety assessments, that a police officer might also apply. These kinds of non-standardized exams include:
- Planted with your feet touching, and adjusting your head backwards
- Keeping track of the fingers that A policeman displays
- Saying the alphabet
- Standing still and bringing your finger to your nose
These types of non-standard field sobriety tests may possibly be just as incriminating as the standard exams authorized by the NHTSA. Normally, your capabilities in these assessments will be video recorded by a camera in the policeman's vehicle. These camera recordings will be allowed as proof in court.
Do I Have To Undertake a Sobriety Check?
When an officer asks you to participate in a sobirety test in NJ, and you refuse to take the test, the police officer might still arrest you dependent on other observations about your driving and attitude. On the other hand, this refusal might keep the officer from getting evidence against you. Don't forget, there is a video camera situated at the front of every police officer’s vehicle, that is going to document the results in your field sobriety exams. In the event that you refuse to perform the exam, then there will be no video recording to present to the courtroom in a Dwi trial. This could help your New Jersey criminal defense lawyer build a successful case.
