A cop had me do a 30 second one legged stand field sobriety test that over half my friends couldn't do in their living rooms! How can they get away with this? Is it just to make money?
by 
bowlinggreen
ANSWERS: 7
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Nope. It's to find out if you're drunk. That is only one of the tests they give, and it isn't one of the surest. Actually, one of the best tests is having you follow, just with your eyes, some object as it moves around.
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I doubt they can get a conviction based soley on that test. Are you sure they didn't give you a breathlizer or blood test.
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The real question here is, were you intoxicated and had you been drinking alcohol? the test was legal and legitimate. its given nationwide and the results validated all the way to the u.s. supreme court. Just to make money? these officers get paid the same, whether they had stopped you or not. you never did state whether you passed the test or not. did you? This test, is just one of many that police officers administer, in the field, on suspected drunk drivers. you were probably not given any other tests, if you failed this one. it was not necessary in order for you to qualify as a drunk driver.
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The one-leg stand is a scientifically validated test with specific clues that indicate impairment. As it has been said, it's one of many. Maybe you and your friends have inner-ear problems if you can't stand on one foot for thirty seconds. Nevertheless, I'm sure the officer explained that it's okay if you put your foot down--just pick it back up and continue counting where you left off. Making money? Obviously you haven't been to many crash scenes or scene dead bodies that are a result of some impaired jackass who never should have been behind the wheel of a car. The officer was taking a dangerous driver off the road, or making sure you weren't in that category.
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I have been a police officer for seven years in an area of PA with an extremely high rate of DUI arrests. The test is referred to as the one leg stand test which is once of several tests included in the SFST's (standard field sobriety tests) to determine if a driver is under the influence of alcohol. I am sure the officer gave you at least two different types of field tests, a PBT (preliminary breath test) and a blood or breath test (depending on the state you live in) Ultimately your arrest was based on several different factors not just one of the tests you failed. The tests are specific but not impossible.
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The field sobriety tests are NOT for determining if you're drunk. It's just to give them extra leverage against you in court. The breathalyzer and or blood test is the true test, and will show if you were legally to drunk to drive.
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Drive sober. That should solve the problem.
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