A DWI charge creates pressure, especially after a field sobriety test failure. You might wonder whether hiring a DWI defense attorney makes sense. Legal representation protects your rights and gives you an advantage during court proceedings.
What Happens After You Fail a Sobriety Test
Police often collect evidence for a DUI charge after you fail a field sobriety test. That includes your behavior, your performance during the test, and any breath or blood test results. A field sobriety test failure often leads to a DUI arrest. Officers may then use a breathalyzer or blood test to measure your blood alcohol concentration.
Police officers often rely on the field test to justify an arrest. Once they arrest you, the legal process begins. You may face license suspension, jail time, or fines. A failed test does not prove guilt. You still have the right to contest the evidence. You also have the right to legal representation.
How Field Tests Can Be Challenged in Court
Field sobriety tests fail to offer consistent or reliable results. We challenge the conditions, the procedures, and the officer’s conduct during the test. Police must follow clear instructions when they conduct these tests. A mistake may weaken the entire case.
We examine your balance, your physical health, and whether weather or lighting affected your ability to perform the test. Some conditions make these tests unreliable. Police often ignore those facts. We do not.
We also question the test methods. Officers may claim you showed clues of impairment, but these clues involve judgment. Police make assumptions. We expose those assumptions. Our job involves showing the judge or jury that these tests fail to meet legal standards.
When Police Errors Affect Test Accuracy
Police mistakes lead to false or unfair results. Officers must follow exact rules when they give you a test. If they skip steps or use the wrong method, we take them apart in court. We also point out when an officer uses poor judgment or fails to provide a safe place to perform the test.
Bias also plays a role. If the officer already believed you drove while intoxicated, they may misread your performance. Slurred speech or nervousness may come from fear, not alcohol. We make that clear.
We also review breath and blood test results. We look at the maintenance logs and calibration records for the devices. We also question how the lab handled your sample. A small error may cast doubt on the entire case. We make sure no mistake goes unnoticed.
Why Legal Guidance Matters Early in a DWI Case
Fast legal help protects your rights from the start. A quick decision after an arrest often changes the result of the case. We meet with you early, review the facts, and explain your choices.
You may feel pressure to plead guilty. Police and prosecutors often suggest this route. Without advice, you may give up defenses that could protect your license or keep you out of jail. We prevent that from happening.
Signs You Need a Skilled DWI Defense Attorney
If police arrested you after a field sobriety test, you need a lawyer. A failed test raises the stakes. You may face a suspended license, fines, or jail time. You also need help if you have a past DUI conviction. A second charge increases penalties. You face harsher consequences in court. We use that knowledge to push for reduced charges or other options.
Schedule a Consultation with a Criminal Defense Attorney
After a failed field sobriety test, you need answers. A consultation gives you a chance to speak with us directly. We review the facts and give you honest feedback.
We do not guess or rely on promises. We rely on facts. We tell you what the law says, what penalties apply, and what defenses may help. We also explain how we plan to handle your case. Contact the Law Offices of Dewey P. Brinkley at (919) 832-0307 or use our contact form to schedule a consultation.
