At the Orlando law office of Finebloom and Haenel, our lawyers encounter all types of questions from our DUI Defense clients as well as those just looking for a better understanding of DUI law in Florida. We’ve helped thousands of Orlando drivers to either build a solid DUI Defense or simply stay informed and aware of their rights. In Orlando, when a driver is pulled over and police suspect DUI, Florida state law mandates certain tests that have been deemed as accepted, reliable tools for law enforcement’s use in detecting and proving DUI.
There are two types of tests; a field sobriety test and a chemical test.
Field Sobriety Test:
If a police officer suspects intoxication, he/she will ask the driver to step out of the car and perform a battery of small tasks. The officer may ask the driver to recite the alphabet, solve basic math problems, walk a straight line, or balance on one foot. If a person is intoxicated or otherwise impaired, the manner in which he/she completes these tasks will vary noticeably from that of a sober driver.
Keep in mind, the field sobriety test does not PROVE that a person is intoxicated. An officer conducts this test to build probably cause and display that a driver exhibits signs or impairment/intoxication.
Officers are trained rigorously in the proper application of these tests. The field sobriety test is reliable in exploiting signs of intoxication, but it does not prove intoxication.
Chemical Test:
Once an officer determines that a driver has demonstrated signs of intoxication, he/she has probable cause to make an arrest. Remember, an arrest does not imply conviction. The driver is then taken to the police station and a chemical test is administered. Most departments in Orlando, and across the state Florida, utilize the Intoxilyzer 8000. This tests a driver’s breath for blood alcohol content (BAC). Since alcohol runs through your blood and blood runs through your lungs, the carbon dioxide that you exhale will contain a measurable level of alcohol directly proportionate to your current BAC. The results of this test are considered reliable in Florida courts and can be difficult to dispute. Since the results are considered both reliable and official, refusal of a chemical test carries with it strict, mandatory consequences.
Finebloom and Haenel – Orlando’s DUI Lawyers
The attorneys of the Orlando law office of Finebloom and Haenel understand the significance of each step and each piece of evidence in a DUI case. We’ve been helping Orlando drivers charged with DUI for years. With over 20 years of legal experience, our DUI lawyers know the nuances associated with flaws in both the field sobriety and chemical tests. We can help you to build a solid, competent DUI Defense. Call the Orlando DUI attorneys today! Put our experience to work and let us evaluate your case for free! Help is only a call or click away…Call Finebloom and Haenel today!
