A DWI arrest in Minnesota can be a frightening and disorienting experience. Often, the prosecution’s case hinges heavily on the results of field sobriety tests (FSTs). However, these tests are not infallible, and a skilled criminal defense attorney can challenge their validity, potentially weakening the prosecution’s case and protecting your rights.
If you’ve been arrested for DWI and FSTs were administered, understanding how a DWI lawyer in MN can challenge this evidence is crucial. This blog will explore the intricacies of challenging a faulty field sobriety test and outline effective DWI defense strategies in Minnesota.
Understanding Field Sobriety Tests
Field sobriety tests are a series of physical and mental exercises used by law enforcement to assess a driver’s level of impairment. The three standardized FSTs approved by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) are the Horizontal Gaze Nystagmus (HGN), the One-Leg Stand (OLS), and the Walk-and-Turn (WAT). Police officers are trained to administer and interpret these tests, looking for specific clues that indicate impairment.
Why Field Sobriety Tests Can Be Faulty
While FSTs are intended to be objective measures of impairment, several factors can compromise their accuracy:
- Subjectivity: The interpretation of FST results relies heavily on the officer’s subjective observations. What one officer perceives as a “clue” of impairment, another might interpret differently. This inherent subjectivity can lead to inaccurate assessments.
- Lack of Standardized Administration: If the officer doesn’t administer the FSTs according to standardized procedures, the results can be unreliable. Even minor deviations from the prescribed instructions can affect the outcome.
- Medical Conditions: Underlying medical conditions, such as inner ear problems, vision impairments, or physical disabilities, can affect a person’s ability to perform the FSTs, regardless of whether they are impaired. Officers are supposed to inquire about medical conditions, but this doesn’t always happen.
- Environmental Factors: External factors like weather conditions, uneven ground, or distractions can also influence a person’s performance on the FSTs. Rain, snow, or wind can make it difficult to maintain balance, while traffic noise can disrupt concentration.
- Nervousness and Anxiety: The stress and anxiety of being pulled over and subjected to FSTs can cause even sober individuals to appear unsteady or uncoordinated. This nervousness can be misinterpreted as impairment.
- Lack of Training: While officers receive training on administering FSTs, the level of training can vary. Insufficient or inadequate training can lead to improper administration and inaccurate interpretations.
Seeking Legal Advice After a Field Sobriety Test: What You Need to Know
If you’ve been arrested for DWI and field sobriety tests (FSTs) were administered, seeking legal counsel from a DWI lawyer in MN is almost always beneficial. Even if you believe you were not impaired, the subjective nature of FSTs makes them vulnerable to challenge.
An attorney can employ several DWI defense strategies Minnesota to challenge the validity of FST evidence including:
- Cross-Examination of the Officer: During cross-examination, your attorney can question the officer about their training, their administration of the FSTs, and their interpretation of the results. They can highlight any inconsistencies or deviations from standardized procedures.
- Expert Testimony: An expert witness, such as a forensic toxicologist or a former police officer with FST expertise, can testify about the limitations of FSTs and the factors that can affect their accuracy. They can also provide an independent interpretation of the FST results.
- Video Evidence: If there is video footage of the FSTs, your attorney can review it carefully for any inconsistencies or errors in the officer’s administration or interpretation. Dashcam footage or police body camera footage can be invaluable in challenging DWI evidence.
- Medical Records: If you have any medical conditions that could have affected your performance on the FSTs, your attorney can obtain your medical records and use them to challenge the reliability of the results.
- Challenging Probable Cause: If the officer lacked probable cause to stop you in the first place, the FST evidence may be inadmissible. Your attorney can challenge the legality of the initial stop and argue that any evidence obtained as a result should be suppressed.
- Inaccurate Breathalyzer Defense: Often, FSTs are just one part of the prosecution’s case. If a breathalyzer test was also administered, your attorney can explore potential inaccuracies in the breathalyzer device itself, the way it was calibrated or administered, or other factors that could have affected the breathalyzer results. Challenging inaccurate breathalyzer defense strategies is another way to attack the prosecution’s case.
Given the potential consequences of a DWI conviction, consulting with an attorney is a crucial step in protecting your rights and exploring all available defense strategies.
The Importance of a DWI Lawyer in Minnesota
Facing DWI charges can be a complex and stressful experience. Retaining a DWI lawyer in MN that can challenge DWI evidence is crucial for protecting your rights and achieving the best possible outcome for your case. They possess in-depth knowledge of Minnesota DWI laws and can demonstrate the unreliability of the FST evidence, potentially reducing or dismissing the charges against you.
Don’t let a potentially faulty field sobriety test be the foundation of your DWI conviction. Contact Sieben Edmunds Miller today for a consultation. We can review your case, explain your rights, and develop a strong defense strategy to fight for the best possible outcome.
