Gainesville DUI Attorneys

When a person is pulled over for driving under the influence (DUI) in Gainesville, Florida, the law enforcement officer will likely as the driver to submit to field sobriety tests. These tests were developed with the intention of determining whether a driver's mental and physical abilities are impaired, by monitoring the driver's coordination, balance and ability to follow instructions. It is believed that drug or alcohol impairment will disrupt these abilities.

Even if you have failed field sobriety tests or refused to submit to field sobriety testing, an experienced Gainesville DUI lawyer may still be able to defend your case and achieve a successful outcome. 

Gainesville, Florida Field Sobriety Tests

Several years ago, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) approved three "standardized field sobriety tests."  Prior to the approval of these tests, law enforcement officers were administering a series of other tests that were later revealed to not be as effective in measuring a person’s level of intoxication.  The three tests that the NHTSA did approve were:

• the horizontal gaze nystagmus test
• the walk and turn test
• the one leg stand test

The tests mentioned above are believed to be the most accurate at determining whether a person is impaired by drugs and/or alcohol.  After these tests were approved by the NHTSA, a training program was developed for law enforcement officers so they could become familiarized with administering the tests and evaluating the results.  It is important to remember that when it comes to field sobriety tests and DUI, police officers are the ultimate judges of who passes and who fails.

At the Uman Law Firm, our lawyers know that law enforcement will use field sobriety tests to determine whether a driver is under the influence, and will also claim that these tests and their judgment of these tests are accurate.  However, our skilled Gainesville DUI defense attorneys know that these tests are not always accurate and that many factors can cause these tests to be invalid.  From faulty directions from the officer administering the test, to poor weather conditions or a physical injury or illness on the part of the driver, there are numerous reasons why a person may fail a field sobriety test that have little to do with being intoxicated.  Therefore, our lawyers believe that failing a field sobriety test or tests is not enough to conclude that person was driving under the influence, and your Gainesville DUI lawyer will work to prove that in court.

Contact a Gainesville DUI attorney at the Uman Law Firm today!