Most investigations for driving under the influence (DUI) in California start off the same way: with a police officer pulling someone over. Suppose the police officer smells alcohol on the driver’s breath or notices bloodshot eyes or slurred speech during this traffic stop. In that case, they have reasonable cause to detain the driver and begin a roadside investigation for a DUI.
If you or someone you care about has been investigated for driving under the influence and is facing a DUI charge in California, you need to obtain legal representation as soon as possible. When you choose to partner with California Attorney William M. Aron to defend a DUI charge, he will develop a personalized strategy designed specifically for your case. At Aron Law Firm, we utilize a client-centered approach so that no matter what type of DUI charge you may be facing, we will do our best to obtain the best outcome for your unique situation.
What to Know About California Driving Under the Influence Investigations
During California DUI investigations, the police officer will usually direct the driver to perform various field sobriety tests (FSTs) to determine whether the driver is under the influence of drugs or alcohol. California FSTs can include:
- Horizontal gaze nystagmus (HGN): This standardized field sobriety test is deemed to be 77% accurate when administered under proper conditions and tests for involuntary jerking of the eyes when the eyes gaze to the side.
- Walk and turn (WAT): Designed to test a person’s ability to concentrate on both mental and physical tasks at the same time, this test has been validated by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and is 68% accurate when administered by itself.
- One-leg stand (OLS): Another standardized field sobriety test backed by the NHTSA, this test also tests a driver’s divided attention – requiring them to concentrate on mental and physical tasks simultaneously. This test has been found to be 65% accurate by the NHTSA.
- Hand-pat: This divided attention test has not been validated by the NHTSA but is used by California police officers to judge a driver’s ability to follow directions, count correctly, and complete tasks in a timely manner.
- Finger to nose: One of the oldest field sobriety tests in California, the “finger to nose” test has not been confirmed by the NHTSA for correlation to blood alcohol concentration (BAC).
- Rhomberg balance: Used to test a driver’s internal clock, drivers are asked to stand with their feet together, head tilted back, and eyes closed. The police officer will then request the driver to estimate when 30 seconds have passed. Although this test is also not backed by the NHTSA, it is still used in many traffic stops.
All field sobriety tests must be completed under proper conditions for them to have any merit to accuracy. However, field sobriety tests are optional in California, so drivers can decline to take them without facing any penalties.
Defend a California DUI Charge with a Highly Qualified Criminal Defense Attorney
At Aron Law Firm, our team is led by former prosecutor William M. Aron who has worked in all areas of criminal law and has extensive experience defending DUI allegations in California. Our criminal defense lawyers are well-acquainted with the tactics essential to successfully pleading your case to the judge and strategies for devising the strongest defense for your case.
If you are being investigated and are facing a charge for DUI, we are here to help. We understand that facing a criminal charge is stressful – which is why our goal is to be there for our clients during every step of the process. Call us today to confidentially discuss your case with a lawyer who is highly qualified to handle your California DUI case at (805) 317-7827 or by sending us a completed contact form to request more information about what options you have going forward.
