Getting pulled over for suspected DUI is stressful, and one of the most common field sobriety tests police use is the Walk-and-Turn test. But did you know that this test can be highly unreliable and lead to unfair DUI charges? If you’ve been arrested after failing this test, you need an experienced Arizona DUI defense attorney to fight for you.
What Is the Walk-and-Turn Test?
The Walk-and-Turn test is a standardized field sobriety test (SFST) used by law enforcement to assess balance, coordination, and the ability to follow instructions. Officers ask drivers to:
- Take nine heel-to-toe steps in a straight line.
- Turn around using small, precise steps.
- Walk back nine heel-to-toe steps in the same direction.
While this might sound simple, many sober people fail due to nerves, medical conditions, poor lighting, or even uneven road surfaces.
How the Test Can Be Inaccurate
Officers look for “clues” of impairment, including:
- Stepping off the line
- Missing heel-to-toe steps
- Using arms for balance
- Taking the wrong number of steps
- Stopping mid-test
But here’s the problem: none of these mistakes prove you were intoxicated. Medical issues, anxiety, improper instructions, or poor testing conditions can all lead to a failed test. Unfortunately, officers often use these results as key evidence in DUI arrests.
Why You Need to Challenge the Walk-and-Turn Test in Your DUI Case
A failed Walk-and-Turn test does not mean you’re guilty of DUI. As an experienced Arizona DUI defense attorney, I challenge these tests by:
- Questioning the officer’s training and test administration.
- Examining body cam footage for errors or inconsistencies.
- Highlighting medical conditions that could have impacted your performance.
- Challenging whether the road conditions made the test unfair.
Arrested for DUI? Call Now for a Free Case Review
If you’ve been charged with DUI after a Walk-and-Turn test, don’t assume a conviction is inevitable. You have options—and I can help. At The Law Office of Joshua A. Lopez, LLC, I fight aggressively to get DUI charges reduced or dismissed.
Call (480) 630-0799 now for a free consultation. The sooner we start, the stronger your defense. One test shouldn’t define your future—let’s fight back!