Protect Yourself During a DUI Stop: Understanding Sobriety Tests in Arizona

One of the most common questions we get is whether you are required to perform roadside DUI tests when stopped by law enforcement. These tests, often called field sobriety tests (FSTs), are frequently used in DUI investigations. Understanding what these tests are, why officers conduct them, and whether you should comply can make all the difference in your case.

Here’s everything you need to know about roadside DUI tests in Arizona, especially if you find yourself stopped in Maricopa County cities like Phoenix, Mesa, or Chandler.

What Are Roadside DUI Tests?

Roadside DUI tests are a series of physical and observational tasks that police officers use to assess whether a driver might be impaired. These tests are designed to identify potential indicators of alcohol or drug impairment.

The Three Standardized Field Sobriety Tests

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has standardized three field sobriety tests commonly used by law enforcement in Arizona:

1. Horizontal Gaze Nystagmus (HGN) Test
   • What It Is: The officer observes the movement of your eyes as you follow a small object, like a pen or flashlight, horizontally.
   • Purpose: Officers look for involuntary jerking of the eyes, known as nystagmus, which may indicate impairment.
2. Walk-and-Turn Test
   • What It Is: The officer asks you to take nine heel-to-toe steps in a straight line, turn around in a specific manner, and take nine steps back.
   • Purpose: This test evaluates balance, coordination, and the ability to follow instructions.
3. One-Leg Stand Test
   • What It Is: The officer asks you to stand on one leg, keeping the other leg raised about six inches off the ground, and count aloud for about 30 seconds.
   • Purpose: This test assesses balance and coordination.

Do You Have to Perform These Tests?

The short answer: No, you are not legally required to perform roadside DUI tests in Arizona.

Field sobriety tests are voluntary, and you have the right to refuse them. Unlike breath or blood tests conducted at the station, which are subject to implied consent laws, there is no legal penalty for declining roadside tests.

Why Refusing the Tests Is Often the Best Choice

1. Designed to Gather Evidence Against You
   • These tests are subjective and can give officers evidence to justify an arrest. Even if you’re sober, factors like nervousness, fatigue, or medical conditions can affect your performance.
2. Unreliable Results
   • Environmental factors (e.g., uneven surfaces, poor lighting, or bad weather) can lead to inaccurate results.
   • Physical conditions like inner ear issues, injuries, or age-related challenges may cause you to “fail” these tests.
3. Non-Scientific Basis
   • Field sobriety tests are not scientifically reliable enough to prove impairment. In fact, failing these tests does not definitively mean you are under the influence.

Why Officers Conduct These Tests

Law enforcement uses field sobriety tests to establish probable cause for a DUI arrest. If the officer believes you’ve failed the tests, they can arrest you and request a formal breath or blood test at the station.

Key Point: These tests are not mandatory, and refusing them may limit the officer’s ability to gather evidence to justify an arrest.

What to Do If You Are Asked to Perform Field Sobriety Tests

1. Stay Calm
   • Keep your composure and remain respectful. Being argumentative or hostile could escalate the situation.
2. Politely Decline
   • Clearly state, “I respectfully decline to perform any field sobriety tests.” You have the legal right to refuse these tests.
3. Comply With Other Requests
   • Provide your driver’s license, registration, and proof of insurance when requested.
   • If officers proceed with an arrest, comply without resistance to avoid additional charges.

What Happens Next?

If you refuse the roadside tests, the officer may still arrest you if they believe they have other evidence of impairment, such as erratic driving, slurred speech, or the smell of alcohol. Once arrested, you will likely be asked to submit to a formal breath or blood test at the station.

Implied Consent and Formal Testing

• Arizona’s implied consent law requires you to take a breath or blood test if you are arrested for DUI.
• Refusing the formal test at this stage can result in an automatic one-year suspension of your driver’s license and may be used against you in court.

Our Advice: Comply with the formal breath or blood test but consult an attorney immediately to discuss your legal options.

Why Refusing Field Sobriety Tests May Strengthen Your Defense

By refusing the roadside tests, you limit the amount of evidence available to the prosecution. Without video footage of a “failed” field sobriety test, the case against you may rely solely on the officer’s observations, which can be challenged in court.

How Grand Canyon Law Group Can Help

If you’re stopped for DUI in Maricopa County, including cities like Phoenix, Mesa, or Chandler, the experienced attorneys at Grand Canyon Law Group are here to protect your rights.

What We Do for You

• Analyze the Stop: We evaluate whether the officer had reasonable suspicion to stop you and probable cause for an arrest.
• Challenge Evidence: Our team scrutinizes the reliability of any evidence, including observations made during the traffic stop.
• Build a Defense: Whether negotiating reduced charges or fighting for a dismissal, we craft a defense tailored to your case.

Contact Us Today

If you’ve been stopped for DUI in Arizona, don’t wait to get legal representation. Call Grand Canyon Law Group at (480) 573-6441 for a confidential consultation. Let us help you navigate the complexities of your case and fight for the best possible outcome.

FAQs

1. Can refusing field sobriety tests prevent a DUI arrest?
Not necessarily. While refusing the tests may limit evidence against you, an officer can still arrest you based on other observations, such as your driving behavior or physical appearance.

2. Will refusing field sobriety tests make me look guilty?
No. Refusing these tests is your legal right and often a smart decision to protect yourself. Police officers are trained to use these tests as evidence against you, even if you’re sober.

3. What happens if I refuse the formal breath or blood test at the station?
Refusing the formal test can result in a one-year license suspension and may be used as evidence of guilt in court. It’s generally better to comply with the formal test and consult an attorney afterward.