Field Sobriety Tests in Tampa, FL
Submitting to Tests During a DUI Arrest
Field sobriety tests play a major role in a
DUI arrest. An officer may use the results of a field sobriety test as evidence
that individuals were driving while under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
This is the same for chemical blood alcohol concentration (BAC) tests,
such as breath, urine, and blood samples. However, did you know that you
have the right to refuse to submit to a field sobriety test if asked to
do so by a police officer?
At Parks & Braxton, PA, our Tampa DUI defense lawyers have
50+ years of collective experience handling thousands of DUI cases. As former prosecutors, we know the ins and outs of DUI law—and
we also know that evidence brought against individuals in a DUI case may
easily have been misconstrued or improperly collected. If you submitted
to a field sobriety test during a DUI arrest,
contact our firm immediately!
Refusing to Take Field Sobriety Tests
Many individuals believe that refusing to submit to a field sobriety test
is an incriminating move, or may result in an immediate penalty under
the Florida law of implied consent. However,
refusing to submit to a field sobriety test does not automatically incriminate you, nor does it violate the law of implied consent (Florida Statutes 316.1932).
Automatic license suspension only occurs during a DUI arrest if you refuse to submit to a chemical BAC test.
Deciding to Take/Refuse Field Sobriety Tests
Although individual circumstances may dictate one choice over the other,
the decision to take a field sobriety test does not give someone a distinct
advantage over refusing to take a field sobriety test. If the police officer
suspects you are driving under the influence, they may still find reason
to arrest you, and the results of a field sobriety test may only serve
as evidence against you in court. Even if the officer uses your refusal
as reason to suspect you are intoxicated, that evidence is not enough
to convict an individual of DUI.
Strengthening Your Defense in Court
A DUI may result in a criminal conviction with penalties such as:
- A jail sentence ranging from 6 months to 5 years
- Monetary fines ranging from $1,000 to $5,000
- Automatic license suspension for a minimum of 6 months
- Parole and drug rehabilitation programs
A DUI conviction is a serious mark on the criminal record that can have
affects lasting for the rest of a person's life. Our Tampa DUI lawyer
helps clients fight DUI charges by challenging the evidence brought against
them in court, including field sobriety test results. As former prosecutors,
our attorneys knows how the other side thinks, and they are able to prepare
stronger defenses because of this.
Secure Proper Legal Protection—Call 888-667-1273
When it comes to a DUI charge, you want to secure the guidance of a criminal
defense team that has experience handling complex cases with success.
At Parks & Braxton, PA, we have had continued success in DUI defense
and criminal law matters of all kinds. The field sobriety test may play
an important role in your case, but we know that the prosecution may use
any number of tactics to secure a conviction. We make it our mission to
challenge misconstrued evidence and minimize the penalties our clients
may suffer, if not to have their case dismissed entirely.
We have handled thousands of DUI cases.
Schedule your free consultation today and find out how our DUI attorney in Tampa may help you!