Michigan DUI Walk and Turn Test

When an officer pulls you over on suspicion of drunk driving, field sobriety testing will likely follow. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), there are three standardized field sobriety tests, which can give officer’s reliable clues in regards to whether or not a suspect is intoxicated. If you fail a standardized field sobriety test, an officer will have probable cause to issue a breathalyzer test and possibly arrest you, and will then have a basis for a case against you. Fight back with Grabel & Associates; our DUI lawyers are available 24/7 to begin working with you.

Our team of qualified criminal defense attorneys has the experience needed to help clients understand field sobriety tests and how they can affect a DUI or OWI case. For over 10 years our Michigan firm has been working with clients in DUI investigations and trials, and we are always ready to begin working with new clients who are facing false accusations or charges based on shaky evidence from field sobriety tests. We know the issues that can arise when police and prosecutors attempt to use a walk and turn test or another unreliable field sobriety test to secure a conviction, and we can point out the problems with the prosecution’s case before it affects your results. Contact Grabel & Associates immediately and let us answer any questions you may have about field sobriety tests or Michigan drunk driving investigation and arrest.

The Walk and Turn Sobriety Test in a Michigan DUI Case

During this test, an officer should ask you to stand with your left foot on a line, right heel touching your left toe, and arms by your side. After receiving confirmation that you understand, the officer will tell you to take nine heel-to-toe steps in a straight line. You will have to walk, then turn around and walk back, while the officer observes your balance and other cues which could suggest intoxication.

It is critical that police find a flat surface for you to take the test on, free from any obstructions that could affect the results. In addition, it is crucial that all instructions given be correct and fully understood, as any errors could result in confusion and mistakes during this test. If you believe a police officer made a mistake when having you perform a walk and turn test, contact Grabel & Associates now.

How to Pass a Walk and Turn Test in Michigan

There are eight specific things an officer looks for during a walk and turn test:

• Ability to balance while instructions are given
• Starting the test too soon
• Stopping during the test
• Doesn’t correctly step heel to toe
• Steps off the straight line
• Uses arms to balance during the test
• Does not perform turn properly
• Takes an incorrect amount of steps

If you fail on any two of these eight specific requirements, the officer can proceed as if you are intoxicated and attempt to utilize the results to convict you.

Unfortunately, this test is extremely unreliable for a number of reasons. In addition to an error by an officer that causes a person to incorrectly perform the test, there are physical issues which can affect a person’s balance, hearing issues which could affect a person’s ability to clearly hear instructions, and the obvious nerves that a suspect is dealing with when facing potential arrest, regardless of their innocence or guilt. In addition, it is very possible that even a completely sober person could fail the test, as it isn’t easy to consistently meet these requirements, especially if it is on a dark road and the person has been sitting in their car for an extended period of time. For these reasons and many more, it is very important that an objective third party challenge the claims that an officer makes about a walk and turn test in a Michigan DUI case. Grabel & Associates knows what to argue throughout your case and will not let a false test result keep you from obtaining the best possible case outcome.

Contact Grabel & Associates to Fight Your DUI Conviction in Michigan

Our lawyers have extensive experience fighting for those who have been accused of drunk driving, and are available now to begin working to construct an individualized criminal defense strategy for your unique MI case. Contact our law firm now by calling 1-800-342-7896 or contact us online for a free initial case consultation 24/7. We will immediately begin fighting back against false allegations and questionable evidence so that you are set up to fight for the best available result throughout every stage of your case.