When someone finds themselves accused of driving under the influence and submits to a field sobriety test, the results of the test could have an impact on their future in many ways. In addition to spending time behind bars and facing stiff financial penalties, drunk driving charges can also haunt people years down the road. For example, someone charged with drunk driving in Boston may struggle to find work in Massachusetts, or elsewhere in the country.
How to help if your son or daughter is charged with DUI/OUI
As a parent, you know just how difficult it can be to send your child off to college. Even though he or she is growing up, you worry about every decision they make.
Your balance issues could cost you your freedom
Before administering a field sobriety test on the side of a Massachusetts roadway, law enforcement officers have to go through training to learn how to correctly administer them. Two of these are the walk-and-turn test and the one-leg stand test. These measure balance, which can be precarious for someone who has a blood alcohol concentration at or above the legal limit of 0.08 percent.
Abnormal brain function could lead to DUI arrest
A Massachusetts law enforcement officer who has reason to believe a driver is impaired may make a traffic stop to evaluate the situation further. If he or she feels there is enough evidence at that point, there may be a field sobriety test, which can assist officers in identifying people who are driving under the influence. According to AAA, over 90 percent of roadside sobriety tests are successful when administered by a properly trained officer. This leaves significant room for error.
Roadside breath test considerations
A Massachusetts law enforcement officer has several ways to determine whether he or she has probable cause to arrest someone for operating a vehicle while under the influence of alcohol. One of these is the breath test, and according to Business Insider, refusing to take this test may not be the best option, even if the driver has had a few drinks. In fact, taking the test may provide a better opportunity for a defense strategy in court.
