{"id":1058,"date":"2020-10-05T14:21:34","date_gmt":"2020-10-05T19:21:34","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/neuvillelawoffice.com\/?p=1058"},"modified":"2020-10-05T14:21:34","modified_gmt":"2020-10-05T19:21:34","slug":"field-sobriety-tests-why-police-want-you-to-take-them","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/neuvillelawoffice.com\/field-sobriety-tests-why-police-want-you-to-take-them\/","title":{"rendered":"Field Sobriety Tests: Why Police Want You to Take Them"},"content":{"rendered":"

You enjoyed an evening out with friends and are driving home when you see the police cruiser approaching in your rearview mirror. Whether you\u2019re in Minneapolis, Saint Cloud or Stillwater, all Minnesota counties employ law enforcement officers trained to make traffic stops for minor traffic violations with a secondary purpose of investigating whether the motorist is impaired.<\/p>\n

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Police pulling motorists over for traffic violations is not uncommon on roadways in and around Hennepin county, Stearns county and Dakota county and often ends with a citation or, if you are lucky, a warning. If the stop is for suspicion of driving while impaired, things get serious very quickly as you suddenly face being arrested and charged with driving while impaired on Minnesota\u2019s roadways.<\/p>\n

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Knowing what to expect and how to assert your rights when suspected of driving under the influence in Minnesota can make a difference in the outcome of your case. A good place to begin is when the officer asks you to step out of your car to perform a series of tests known as the standardized field sobriety tests. Taking them may not be in your best interest.<\/p>\n

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Probable cause to make an arrest<\/h2>\n

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Observing your car weaving in and out of its lane or traveling substantially below the speed limit are a couple of the signs a police officer looks for to justify stopping a motorist for further investigation for driving under the influence. The truth is that reasons other than intoxication may cause either of those behaviors, so the purpose of the stop is for the officer to gather evidence to justify making an arrest.<\/p>\n

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An odor of alcoholic beverage, slurred speech, watery or bloodshot eyes, and other signs commonly associated with intoxication or impairment and may offer confirmation of a police officer’s suspicion that you had been drinking. The officer may need additional evidence proving that you were impaired, so you will be asked to complete three activities known as the standardized field sobriety test designed to give the officer evidence to use in court to justify arresting you for driving while impaired.<\/p>\n

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Standardized field sobriety tests and proof of alcohol impairment<\/h2>\n

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The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration<\/a> developed the standardized field sobriety test as a tool for police to use in the field to determine whether a motorist’s blood alcohol concentration exceeded the legal standard, which Minnesota and other states currently set at 0.08%. The following are the three components of the standardized field sobriety test (SFST) developed by the NHTSA:<\/p>\n

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