Before police conduct field sobriety tests, they begin interrogating the driver stopped for DUI. A DUI defense lawyer in Michigan can explain that interrogation, itself, is a type of test because it is an officer’s first chance to look for signs of intoxication such as odor of alcohol or slurred speech.
One reason to question a person before a field sobriety test is for officers to decide whether a person has any physical conditions that would prevent them from doing any of the tests. For example, a person with bad knees shouldn’t be required to do balancing tests. A DUI defense attorney in Michigan can tell you it also is important to know if the driver is suffering from a mental impairment associated with the alcohol. Police can try to clear this up by asking a motorist the date and time or why they were stopped.
A DUI Defense Attorney in Michigan on Divided Attention Tests
Interrogations also are performed prior to field sobriety tests because they give police a chance to evaluate a person’s divided attention ability. A DUI defense attorney in Michigan can explain divided attention is when the brain can perform two or more tasks at one time. Alcohol makes this more difficult.
Theoretically, divided attention tests are permitted because they test a person’s ability to perform mental and physical takes that require a person to drive a car. A DUI defense attorney in Michigan can explain several field sobriety tests require divided attention, such as the walk and turn test and the one-leg stand test. The walk and turn test requires a person handle a physical task while understanding complex instructions. The one-leg stand test requires a person to count while they balance on one foot.
Sometimes, police combine tests. An example of this is having a person touch the thumb to fingertips while counting aloud or touching your feet heel to toes while walking in a straight line. When police are looking for divided attention they use three techniques. Authorities will ask for two things at one, such as your driver’s license and vehicle registration; ask distracting questions or ask strange questions.
Contact a DUI Defense Attorney in Michigan for Assistance
Police use divided attention tests before field sobriety tests in DUI stops. If you are facing DUI charges and need legal help, call a DUI defense lawyer in Michigan at the Law Offices of Christopher Trainor & Associates at 800-961-8477.