Orland Park DUI Attorney for Field Sobriety Tests

Attorney Helping to Challenge Sobriety Test Results in Orland Park, IL

When a police officer pulls you over, they may suspect that you are intoxicated. They may ask you to exit your vehicle and perform field sobriety tests. These tests are designed to gauge your motor skills, your ability to follow directions, and your overall focus, as all of these are necessary for safe driving. You may also be asked to blow into a portable breathalyzer to provide an estimate of your blood alcohol concentration.

You do not have to consent to these tests, but there are consequences for refusing. If you do agree to this testing, and the officer arrests you for driving under the influence, you need a competent DUI attorney who will not back down from a fight and who will aggressively advocate for your rights and best interests. The Law Office of J. Francis Barker, P.C. has the legal knowledge, experience, and determination to help you beat your DUI charge. Attorney Barker will handle your case personally from our conveniently located office in Orland Park to ensure you obtain the best possible case outcome.

Types of Field Sobriety Testing

There are three standard tests that officers frequently use if they suspect you have been driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol:

• Walking and turning in a straight line: You will be asked to walk forward, turn, and walk back using heel-to-toe steps. These types of steps can be challenging even for sober people, and if the officer believes that your coordination and your ability to comprehend and follow instructions is impaired, this may give them a reason to arrest you.
• Standing on one leg: With this test, you will be expected to raise one foot at least six inches off the ground and keep that pose for around 30 seconds. Theoretically, an intoxicated person could not stay balanced in this position for very long, but many other factors can cause a driver to fail this test.
• Tracking a moving object: You will be asked to look straight ahead while the officer moves an object back and forth. Supposedly, if your eyes jerk as you follow this object, it means you are intoxicated. However, there are several reasons why you may be unable to keep from flinching, especially if the officer shines a light in your eyes or comes close to touching your face.

One of the main problems with tests like these is that they depend solely on the officer's perceptions. Their opinion may be biased, or they may not have been fully trained on how to perform these tests properly.

Your attorney may use multiple defenses to challenge field sobriety test results, such as:

• Explaining that an injury or illness prevented you from being able to balance on one foot.
• Presenting evidence that you are sensitive to light, particularly if you suffer from migraines.
• Showing that uneven ground or other conditions made it impossible to walk in a straight line.

If these or other conditions apply to your case, we will use them to create reasonable doubt of your intoxication.

Refusing Field Sobriety Tests

It is your right to refuse both field sobriety tests and portable breathalyzer tests that an officer may ask you to take during a traffic stop. The purpose of this testing is to provide probable cause to arrest you and gather evidence that will be used during your case. If you refuse, you will not face any additional consequences, although this may give the officer a reason to arrest you for DUI. Regardless of your decision, your lawyer can help protect your rights and challenge the validity of DUI charges.

Understanding Chemical Tests in DUI Cases

After you are arrested for DUI, officers may ask you to undergo breath, blood, or urine tests to measure your BAC. If you refuse these tests, you will face an automatic driver's license suspension of at least one year. While the results of these tests may be more accurate than field sobriety tests that rely on an officer's opinions, there are still many ways to challenge chemical test results. Your criminal defense attorney from the Law Office of J. Francis Barker, P.C. will investigate your arrest, review any tests performed, and look for evidence to cast a reasonable doubt about whether you are guilty of driving under the influence.

Contact Our Diligent Orland Park Field Sobriety Test Lawyer

Even a first DUI conviction has severe consequences in Illinois, but you can fight your charges with the assistance of our dedicated lawyer. At the Law Office of J. Francis Barker, P.C., we are determined to serve your best interests and safeguard your rights. Contact us today at 708-321-1223 to arrange a free consultation and learn how our knowledgeable Orland Park field sobriety defense attorney can help you achieve the best possible resolution to your case.