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Did You Fail A Field Sobriety Test In Minnesota?
If a police officer notices you driving too fast or too slow, weaving in and out of lanes or other examples of erratic driving, they may pull you over because they suspect you are driving while intoxicated (DWI). Upon pulling you over, they typically will administer a series of field sobriety tests in order to help them determine if you’re driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs. If you have been arrested for a DWI primarily based on the results of a field sobriety test, you may have more defense options than you realize.
The Limited Usefulness Of Field Sobriety Tests
When a law enforcement officer suspects that you may be intoxicated, they will typically administer these field sobriety tests to help determine if a blood or breath alcohol test is warranted:
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One-leg stand: Tests whether you can stay balanced when standing on one leg
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Walk and turn: Features you walking a straight line, turning and walking the line again
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Horizontal gaze: Requires you following the officer’s finger (or a pen) from side to side
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Field sobriety tests are an imperfect method of determining if someone is driving while intoxicated, and officers often fail to accurately administer the tests. This can lead to them arresting a person who isn’t legally intoxicated or committing errors that can result in the case against you getting dismissed altogether. Aggressively defending your case is crucial, as DWI penalties are steep and can seriously disrupt your life. Even if you’ve never received a DWI before and have no criminal record, you can still have your driver’s license suspended for up to a year and face jail time and/or a fine of $1,000.
Work With A Skilled Attorney
Attorney Matthew Martin of Martin Law Offices, PLLC, has extensive experience defending people against a variety of DWI charges and will work tirelessly on your behalf in order to identify weaknesses in the prosecution’s case against you. Understanding the fear and stress that people often feel when arrested and put on trial, he will be available for you to contact day or night so you can always obtain answers to your questions or concerns. He will work with you throughout the entire trial to provide you with a formidable defense as well as inform you of developments throughout it, so you are aware of what is transpiring.
Get A Free Case Evaluation Today
You don’t have the luxury of time after being charged with a drunk driving offense. Instead, contact the firm today for a free evaluation of your case. Call the Minneapolis office at 612-381-0303, or simply send an email.