George F. Hildebrandt Attorney at Law | A serious Offense Requires a Proven Defense
George F. Hildebrandt Attorney at Law | A serious Offense Requires a Proven Defense

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Have You Been Charged With A Serious Crime?

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Why Field Sobriety Tests Are Not Always Accurate

Stand on one foot. Walk in a straight line. Follow a flashlight with just your eyes.

If you have ever been arrested for driving under the influence in the Syracuse area, it is likely that you had to perform one or all of these field sobriety tests. Did you know, however, that field sobriety tests are not the most reliable method for determining whether a person is intoxicated?

I am attorney George F. Hildebrandt, and I have extensive experience with field sobriety tests. Just because you failed a test, does not necessarily mean you were intoxicated. There are numerous factors that can impact the outcome of a field sobriety test, and I can help show that to a court if you were charged with drunk driving after failing a test.

Were The Tests Administered Correctly?

In order for a test to be even close to accurate, the officer must have followed standard guidelines when administering it. Certain tests, such as asking you to recite the alphabet backward or requiring you to perform a walking test on uneven or sloped ground, are not demonstrated reliable tests of sobriety.

I will review your arrest reports and records of your field sobriety tests to determine whether you were asked to perform any inappropriate or unreliable tests. If you were, the results may not support your drunk driving arrest.

Do You Have A Health Condition That Affected Your Performance?

Certain medical conditions can impact how a person performs in a field sobriety test. Some medications can cause shaking, some brain injuries can affect a person’s horizontal gaze, ear conditions can cause balance problems, and certain muscle or skeletal disorders can impact how well a person can walk.

If you have a medical condition that may have impacted your performance, I will make sure to raise it as an issue in your defense.

Learn More About Challenging Field Sobriety Tests

Field sobriety tests are never 100 percent reliable. As your lawyer, I can help show why the results of your test should not be used against you. To learn more, call my office in Syracuse, New York, at 866-929-3285 or 315-350-3980, or contact me online.