Reasons to Consider Challenging Field Sobriety Test Results
You should consider a challenge when there are signs that tests were influenced by non-alcohol factors, officer procedure was flawed, or the stop lacked justification. Medical conditions, poor road surfaces, inadequate lighting, or unclear instructions can all affect test performance. Additionally, inconsistencies in officer reports or unavailable video evidence may undermine the prosecution’s narrative. If the potential penalties threaten employment, license status, or other important interests, pursuing a challenge can protect those priorities in Brandon courts.
Another reason to pursue this service is when you want a professional review of the full record to uncover issues that may not be obvious. This includes looking into whether the officer followed department policies, whether equipment was working correctly, and whether medical explanations for poor performance exist. In Rankin County and Brandon cases, these detailed inquiries often reveal advantages that can be used in negotiations or pretrial motions to reduce charges or avoid conviction entirely.
Common Situations That Lead Clients to Challenge Field Sobriety Tests
Typical circumstances prompting challenges include poor lighting or uneven surfaces at the stop site, preexisting medical conditions that affect balance, ambiguous or inconsistent instructions from officers, and missing or incomplete video records. These situations can create reasonable doubt about whether the driver was impaired. Clients often seek representation when the consequences of a conviction are significant for work, family, or licensing, and when a careful review could materially change the prosecution’s case in Brandon or Rankin County courts.
Medical or Physical Conditions
Conditions such as inner ear disorders, musculoskeletal injuries, nerve damage, and prescription medications may impair balance or coordination. If you have a relevant medical history, documenting it and presenting supporting medical records can explain poor performance on roadside tests. In Brandon cases, showing a legitimate medical cause for test failure can reduce the weight of officer observations and support motions to exclude unreliable evidence from consideration.
Environmental and Road Conditions
Adverse conditions like gravel, sloped shoulders, darkness, rain, or obstruction can negatively affect test performance. Footwear such as high heels or slippery soles and distractions from passing traffic can also interfere with balance. When these factors are present at the time of a Brandon stop, documenting them and comparing them to the officer’s report helps evaluate whether the tests were fair and whether those conditions should be considered when challenging the results in court.
Officer Procedure and Communication
Issues such as unclear instructions, failure to demonstrate tests, or inconsistent scoring by an officer can provide strong grounds for challenge. If the officer did not follow accepted administration steps or failed to note critical observations, those omissions can reduce confidence in the test outcomes. Reviewing the officer’s narrative, any available video, and training records in Rankin County can reveal whether procedures were properly followed and whether the officer’s conclusions are supported by the record.
