Las Vegas Field Sobriety Tests

If you’ve been charged with a DUI in Nevada contact
The Las Vegas Litigation Law Firm today at
(702) 953-5495 for a FREE consultation.

 The Las Vegas Litigation Law Firm not only understand DUI law but he also understands the civil laws involved in DUI evidence collection. We will aggressively represent you in getting your DUI charge eliminated or  helping you get the penalty against you reduced.

Drinking and driving is a serious offense in Las Vegas, Nevada the illegal limit of your BAC (Blood Alcohol Content) is:

  • No detectable levels of Alcohol for commercial license holders
  • BAC level 0.02% drivers under the age of 21
  • BAC level of 0.08% for everyone else

A BAC level of 0.02% for drivers under the age of 21 generally means the state of Nevada will not tolerate any drinking and driving for drivers under the age of 21, in Nevada it’s illegal to serve alcohol to minors under the age of 21.

The BAC level is determined by the amount of alcohol consumed and a person’s weight, generally someone weighing more has a higher tolerance for alcohol, however that’s not always the case. Although a BAC test is one of the tools a police officer may use to determine your ability to operate a motor vehicle, you could also be arrested even if you’re BAC is within the legal limit. The police officer can have you perform a field sobriety test to determine your level of impairment.

The following tests can be used to determine your level of impairment and the police officer will determine whether you pass or fail or the tests.

Nystamus DUI Test – During this test the police officer looks for involuntary jerking or bouncing of the eyeballs. The police officer will place a pen about 12 or 15 inches away from your face and ask you to follow the object with your eyes.

It’s believed that alcohol consumption will hinder the ability of the person intoxicated to properly control eye muscle movements, as a person drinks more alcohol the more their eyeballs will jerk or tremble when performing this test.

Walk and Turn DUI Test – If the police officer suspects you of driving while impaired they can ask you to perform a walk and turn test, with this test you’re asked to walk in a straight line in a heal toe, heal toe fashion. The straight line can be an imaginary straight line or white line in a parking lot, on the street if it’s safe or be transported to a safe spot to perform the walk and turn test.

You’ll be asked to walk a straight line, and turn around when the officer tells you to following the straight line.

The police officer will look for the following signs:

  • Can the subject keep balance
  • Does the subject follow instructions
  • Does the subject stop part way to re-focus
  • Does the subject step off line
  • Does the subject have balance
  • Improper walking, (not keeping balance or not walking heal to toe)

Standing on One Leg DUI Test – The stand on one leg tests is one of the most commonly used tests to determine the level of impairment. The police officer will ask the subject to stand with arms by t he side and raise one leg six inches off the ground, counting out loud 1… 2… 3… etc… till the police officer gives you instructions to stop.

Signs the police officer is looking for:

  • Balance
  • Body Tremors
  • Muscle tension
  • Statements made during the tests

Finger to Nose DUI Tests – The finger to nose is one of the most common field sobriety tests used in Las Vegas Nevada. If the subject is suspected of driving under the influence, the police officer can ask the subject to perform a finger to nose test. The subject is asked to place their feet together, standing straight with their eyes closed and have their index finger touch their nose when asked by the police officer.

The officer is looking for balance, body tremors, eyelid tremors, muscle tensions or any odd behavior that the police officer believes is caused by excessive use of drugs or alcohol.

Unlike written school exams it’s up to the police officer to determine whether you pass or fail the any of the field sobriety tests that have been administered to you.

The Rhomberg Balance DUI Test – In the Rhomberg Balance tests the subject is asked to close their eyes lift their heads up and estimate 30 seconds.

The officer is looking for balance, body tremors, eyelid tremors, muscle tensions or any odd behavior that the police officer believes is caused by excessive use of drugs or alcohol.

When the person is asked to estimate 30 seconds they’re being tested by the accuracy of their internal clock.  If a person is impaired they have a hard time determining 30 seconds and keeping their balance with their eyes closed.

If you need legal representation as a result of a DUI charge,
do not wait Pick up the Phone and Call us today at (702) 953-5493