Field Sobriety Tests in Orange County

Field sobriety tests are a series of tests that police officers use to determine if you are impaired by alcohol or drugs. The tests are typically performed on the spot after a person has been pulled over on suspicion of DUI.

The first field sobriety tests were developed in the early 1970s by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). The NHTSA was looking for a way to test drivers for impairment that was more objective and reliable than the traditional "eyeball test" of sobriety. With help from the law enforcement community, the NHTSA researched and developed the standardized field sobriety tests we still use today. 

These tests measure your balance, coordination, ability to follow instructions, and whether or not you can perform mental and physical tasks simultaneously. If you fail a field sobriety test, it is not necessarily evidence that you are impaired. However, the results of these tests can be used by police officers to establish probable cause for an arrest. The results will also likely be evidence against you if you are charged with DUI.

The three standardized field sobriety tests that we use in California are:

• Horizontal Gaze Nystagmus (HGN) test: The officer will shine a light into your eyes and look for involuntary jerking of the eyes. This test was originally used to assess the functioning of the inner ear but is now considered a reliable indicator of intoxication.
• Walk-and-Turn (WAT) test: The officer will ask you to walk a line heel-to-toe, turn around, and then walk back heel-to-toe. This test is used to assess your balance and coordination.
• One-Leg Stand (OLS) test: The officer will ask you to stand on one leg for 30 seconds. This test is used to assess your balance and coordination.

In 1986, the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP) advised law enforcement agencies to integrate the field sobriety testing program created by NHTSA. The goal of this program was, ultimately, to increase road safety. 

The success of the Standardized Field Sobriety Testing (SFST) program required nationally accepted standards to be put in place. In 1992, the IACP Highway Safety Committee recognized this need and called for establishing criteria to select and train SFST practitioners. A meeting was held at IACP headquarters in Virginia, bringing together SFST instructors, curriculum specialists, and training administrators to develop minimum standards for the program. Working groups were formed to address the issues and draft recommendations, which were presented to the IACP Advisory Committee on Highway Safety for review in June of the same year. 

How Officers Become Certified to Administer Field Sobriety Tests

To become certified in Standardized Field Sobriety Testing (SFST), aspiring candidates must undergo a rigorous 16-hour training program. One of the critical components of this training involves conducting and carefully monitoring two controlled drinking sessions with volunteer participants. Additionally, according to section 1.4 of the SFST Standards for Training, candidates must pass the IACP-approved final examination with a score of at least 80%. However, if a candidate falls short of this minimum, they may be granted a retest under the supervision of an SFST instructor between 15-30 days of the original test. It's worth noting that the retest must feature a new examination, and failure to pass will necessitate retaking the entire classroom portion of the training.

The U.S. Department of Transportation has strict requirements for administering practice tests. Police officers must conduct 35 tests within six months but cannot count refusals as part of that number. To be valid, a practice test must be backed by a blood alcohol reading. The Horizontal Gaze Nystagmus test is conducted last. Officers are instructed not to form any opinions based on the test results. Further, the results of the practice tests cannot be used as probable cause to make an arrest. Officers are instructed not to document the test.

It's also important to note that no individual can be used as a test subject more than once.

Are Field Sobriety Tests Accurate?

The HGN, walk and turn, and one-leg stand tests are not 100% accurate. They are designed as tools for law enforcement to establish probable cause for an arrest. 

Many factors can affect the accuracy of these tests, including:

• The officer's ability to administer the tests properly
• The driver's ability to understand and follow the instructions
• The driver's physical and mental condition
• Certain medical conditions and medications 

A study by the NHTSA found that the HGN test is 77% accurate at detecting drivers above the legal limit for blood alcohol content (BAC). The walk-and-turn test is 68% accurate, and the one-leg stand test is 65% accurate.

Are Field Sobriety Tests Mandatory in California?

It is not mandatory to submit to an FST in California. Officers can arrest you if they have information compelling them to assume you were driving under the influence—the results of FSTs are an easy way for them to produce a reason to arrest you and to provide the prosecution with evidence that you were driving under the influence.

You can also refuse to take the breathalyzer test that the police administer at the scene; however, there are consequences for refusing the chemical tests administered at the police station.