How Can I Avoid a DUI Conviction if I Failed the Field Sobriety Tests in Prince William County?

Failing the field sobriety tests during a DUI stop in Prince William County does not necessarily mean that you will be convicted at trial. Field sobriety tests are notoriously unreliable, and as a result, you may have several potential defenses. An experienced Prince William County DUI attorney can assess your case and determine which defenses you can assert in court.

If you are facing a DUI charge after failing the field sobriety tests (FSTs) in Prince William County, it is important to know what this means (and doesn’t mean) for your case. While prosecutors can use drivers’ field sobriety test results to pursue convictions in court, several potential defenses may also apply.

Determining what defenses you have available will require a thorough examination of what happened on the side of the road during your DUI arrest. This makes it important to hire an experienced Prince William County DUI attorney who knows the standards for conducting field sobriety tests and using drivers’ FST “failures” in court.

How Can I Challenge My Field Sobriety Test Results in Prince William County?

As with any potential defense in DUI cases, your options for challenging your field sobriety test results depend on the specific facts of your case. With this in mind, some examples of potential defenses include:

The Arresting Officer Failed to Provide Proper Instructions

Before administering the field sobriety tests, police officers in Prince William County are required to provide proper instructions. If your arresting officer did not properly instruct you on how to perform the FSTs, you should not be held accountable for failing to perform them correctly.

The Arresting Officer Administered the FSTs Improperly

Police officers in Prince William County must also follow strict protocols when administering each of the three field sobriety tests (the horizontal gaze nystagmus test, the one-leg stand test, and the walk-and-turn test). If your arresting officer did not follow these protocols, it could invalidate the results of your FSTs.

The Arresting Officer Misinterpreted Your Performance on the FSTs

In addition to improperly administering the field sobriety tests, police officers can also misinterpret drivers’ performance on the FSTs. For example, if your arresting officer misread your eye movements during the horizontal gaze nystagmus test or miscounted the steps you took during the walk-and-turn test, both issues could call your FST “failure” into question.

Environmental Factors Caused You to “Fail” the FSTs

Various environmental factors can cause drivers to “fail” the FSTs irrespective of their level of intoxication. Some examples of these factors include:

• Dangerous traffic that distracted you during the FSTs
• Headlights or street lamps that interfered with your vision
• Gravel, mud, or an uneven walking surface that negatively impacted your performance

If any environmental factors prevented you from performing the field sobriety tests successfully, prosecutors should not be able to use your FST results as proof that you were impaired behind the wheel.

Other Outside Factors Caused You to “Fail” the FSTs

Along with environmental factors, various other outside factors can also result in non-intoxicated-related FST “failures.” For example, each of the following could potentially serve as a defense in your DUI case:

• A medical condition that impacts your vision, eye movement, or balance
• Tight or bulky clothes that restricted your movement
• Unstable shoes that prevented you from balancing on one foot or walking heel-to-toe

Once you hire an experienced Prince William County DUI attorney, your attorney can thoroughly examine the circumstances of your traffic stop and determine what defenses you have available. Remember: You don’t need to prove that you weren’t impaired—you only need to prevent prosecutors from proving that you were.

FAQs: Fighting a DUI in Prince William County When You Failed the Field Sobriety Tests

What if I don’t have grounds to challenge my field sobriety test results?

While it is important not to make any assumptions, if you don’t have grounds to challenge your field sobriety test results, you may still have various other options for fighting your DUI charge in Prince William County. On its own, failing the field sobriety tests does not prove that you were driving under the influence beyond a reasonable doubt.

Is challenging my field sobriety test results enough to avoid a DUI conviction in Prince William County?

No, not necessarily. Even if prosecutors cannot use your field sobriety test results against you, they may still have other evidence to secure a conviction. For example, if you blew above the legal limit, prosecutors may be able to use your blood alcohol concentration (BAC) reading to secure a conviction even if they do not have any other evidence against you.

Do I need an attorney to challenge my field sobriety test results in a Prince William County DUI case?

While not legally required, hiring an experienced Prince William County DUI attorney is strongly recommended. Drunk driving cases are complicated—and a conviction can be life-altering—so work with an experienced attorney who can help protect you by every available means.

How A Prince William County DUI Attorney at Our Firm Can Help

Each Prince William County DUI attorney at our firm has extensive experience helping clients avoid drunk driving convictions in court. If you are facing a DUI charge, we can evaluate all potential defenses and build a strategy focused on protecting you from unnecessary consequences. Time is of the essence, so we strongly encourage you to contact us promptly.

Schedule a Free Consultation at Stevens Caruso Today

To discuss your case with an experienced Prince William County DUI attorney at Stevens Caruso, contact us today. Call 703-897-1777 or request a free in-office consultation online to speak with one of our attorneys in strict confidence as soon as possible.