probable cause to arrest

The police officer had me stand on one leg and count to 30. Did I pass this sobriety test?

August 1, 2010
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One of the field sobriety tests most commonly utilized by law enforcement in DUI investigations is the one-leg stand. This sobriety test was approved by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) as accurate and reliable in detecting drivers who are intoxicated on alcohol or drugs. The one-leg stand, also called one-legged stand or OLS, […]

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New Illinois Supreme Court ruling limits use of field sobriety test

July 24, 2010
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The Supreme Court of the state of Illinois issued a new ruling in 2010 concerning the use of the horizontal gaze nystagmus test (HGN). During an arrest for DUI, the police officer will ask the driver to stand still and follow a pen with his eyes, and keep his head motionless. The HGN test is […]

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What is the walk-and-turn test?

June 6, 2010
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The walk-and-turn test (WAT) is a field sobriety test that was approved by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration for use in detecting intoxicated motorists. The WAT has been standardized and is used by all police and sheriff’s departments in DUI arrests. Field sobriety testing usually takes place roadside during the traffic stop. However, the […]

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The police officer asked me to follow a pen with my eyes. Is that a field sobriety test?

April 9, 2010
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During a traffic stop, if a police officer suspects that a driver is intoxicated, he will use special training to assist him in making the decision whether to arrest. The police officer will ask the motorist to participate in field sobriety tests (e.g. FSTs) to determine whether the driver is impaired. The National Highway Traffic […]

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