Legal Definitions - field sobriety test

A field sobriety test is a way for police officers to check if someone has been driving while drunk or high. If an officer thinks someone is driving under the influence, they will ask the driver to pull over and get out of the car. Then, the driver will have to do a series of tasks to see if they are able to drive safely. These tasks test things like balance, coordination, and multitasking.

Some examples of field sobriety tests include:

• Standing on one leg
• Walking in a straight line and turning
• Touching your nose with your finger
• Following a pencil or finger with your eyes
• Standing straight with a tilted head and closed eyes while mentally measuring 30 seconds

If someone fails these tests, it might mean they are drunk or high. For example, if someone can't stand on one leg or walk in a straight line, it could be because they are too drunk to do it safely. If someone can't follow a pencil or finger with their eyes, it could be because their vision is blurry from drinking.

It's important to note that failing a field sobriety test doesn't necessarily mean someone is guilty of driving under the influence. However, it does give police officers a reason to investigate further and possibly arrest the person if they find more evidence of drunk or high driving.