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A
description of Standardized Field Sobriety Testing
posted by Florida DUI Lawyer.*
Parks
& Braxton, your best resource for a Florida
DUI Lawyer, wants you to be well informed.
Here is a basic description of the Walk
and Turn test:
- The
next point is for an losing balance while turning.
This item can only be scored if the suspect
removes both feet from the line while turning
or does not take several small steps, and pivots
in one movement as in an about face movement.
This would have been contrary to the directions
given. It is imperative that the officer has
demonstrated and articulated this movement properly
in order to be scored. It is important that
the officer be conservative in their evaluation
of this turn and not be overly critical.
- Finally,
the last scoring factor is when the suspect
takes the incorrect amount of steps. This item
is scored only once, even if an incorrect amount
of steps are taken in both directions. The suspect
was instructed to look down at their feet while
performing this stage of the test and to count
their steps out loud. If they do not look down
at their feet or do not count out loud they
can not be scored a point as these are not one
of the scoring factors.
- An
officer is trained to document these observations
but not to score them as part of the test.
- There
are two ways that the suspect can receive a
maximum of eight points on this test. If they
step off the line three or more times or they
can not do the test. If they can not do the
test, this must be explained by the officer.
A degree of reliability has been attached to
this test of 68 percent. If the suspect receives
a minimum of two points on this test, the officer
is trained to use this as probable cause to
believe that the suspect is under the influence
of an alcoholic beverage and to make an arrest.
This
material is for informational purposes only. If
you want to know how the SFST tests affect you,
please contact Florida DUI
Lawyers, Parks &
Braxton
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