Attorney Kirk Tarman Explains The Purpose Behind The Field Sobriety Tests In A DUI Arrest
Field sobriety tests are optional—you can politely decline them, stresses San Bernardino DUI attorney Kirk Tarman, though most people don't realize it and start anyway. Tests like the walk-and-turn measure not just coordination but divided attention: whether you follow instructions, take exactly nine heel-to-toe steps, turn correctly, and don't begin before you're told.
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Answered by Kirk Tarman · San Bernardino County, CA
Highlights
Frequently Asked Questions
Are field sobriety tests optional?
Yes—you can politely decline them, though most people don't realize it and start anyway.
What do the tests actually measure?
Divided attention as much as coordination—whether you follow instructions, take exactly nine heel-to-toe steps, turn correctly, and don't begin before you're told.
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