Those in Louisiana who are suspected of driving while drunk will likely be pulled over by law enforcement officials. When this happens, they will be asked to perform what are known as field sobriety tests. If these tests show any signs drunk driving, the suspect will be arrested and charged accordingly.
A field sobriety test is comprised of three different components. These are the one-leg stand, the walk and turn and the horizontal gaze nystagmus. Each of these physical tests will allow the administering officer to check the driver’s physical abilities, balance, behavior and attention level. If the tests are appropriately administered, they are believed to be quite accurate.
The biggest problem with standard field sobriety exams is that they are subjective. The officer’s judgment is all that really comes into play. Unfortunately, human error can result in someone being wrongfully arrested and charged.
In Louisiana and elsewhere, it is normal for police to make a video recordings of all traffic stops. This is a protective measure for them, but it can also help those accused of crimes fight their cases in court. Video can be submitted into evidence in order to review them for potential errors in testing administration. If errors are noticed, drunk driving charges may be dismissed entirely or charges may be reduced. An experienced criminal defense attorney can assist those accused of crimes in pursing actions that will help them fight the charges against them or seek alternative sentencing that will minimize the consequences of a conviction.
Source: FindLaw, “Field Sobriety Tests“, Accessed on March 22, 2017