Field sobriety tests are extremely difficult to pass, even if you are a professional athlete with amazing balance and dexterity. According to SI.com, Ty Lawson, the Denver Nugget’s point guard, was arrested last week after police suspected him of driving under the influence. Police initially pulled over the basketball star for going 61 mph in a 35 mph zone, but Lawson was suspected of a DUI due to the strong odor of alcohol on his breath.
Lawson admitted to drinking, his eyes were bloodshot and he was slurring his speech. At this point, it was pretty much inevitable that he would be arrested, but what happened next is a DUI-Don’t. Lawson was asked to perform field sobriety tests, where police have you recite the alphabet backwards, touch your finger to your nose, or walk in a straight-line heel-to-toe. The DUI-Don’t was that Lawson agreed to take the tests, giving the police even more physical evidence to use against him in court.
What Can We Learn From This Story?
Ty Lawson’s arrest is a great example of what not to do if you find yourself being suspected of drunk driving. If you are pulled over under suspicion of DUI, of course be polite and cooperative with the police officers. Calmly and without confrontation, tell the officer that you decline to participate in the voluntary tests.
The passing or failing grade on a field sobriety test is largely left up to the wide-ranging discretion of the officer. Agreeing to the field sobriety test will allow officers to use their opinion of your test performance as evidence in court. If a star-player in the NBA can fail a roadside sobriety test, chances are you will too.
Watch our video of former prosecutor and DUI Defense Attorney William Smith explaining why field sobriety tests will end badly for you, no matter what.
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