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California DUI evidence falls into four categories:
- Driving pattern (usually lane straddling or weaving)
- Symptoms of the person (bloodshot eyes, slurred speech)
- Blood-alcohol level (by breath and by blood)
- Field Sobriety Tests
Challenging the efficacy and reliability of field sobriety tests (known by police officers and lawyers as FST's) is becoming common practice with competent criminal defense lawyers.
FST's are simply a series of exercises that test
coordination, divided attention (ability to do two things
at once) and balance.There are over 15 such tests,
including one-leg stand, walk-and-turn, following an object from side-to-side with your eyes, finger to nose, and alphabet recitation. Such
tests can be difficult for many people to pass when
they are stone sober. And the decision
as to whether you “pass” is 100% subjective:
it is just the officer’s personal judgment.
There are only three FST's that are reliable, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. They are: following an object from side-to-side with your eyes, one-leg stand, and walk-and-turn. All other field sobriety tests can be legally challenged.
Contact the Law Offices of Douglas Slain, to retain a criminal defense attorney.
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