Typical DUI Arrest

When a law enforcement officer has reason to suspect that a driver has been drinking or may have had too much to drink the officer will take certain steps to ascertain the drivers impairment.  Below are the steps that are normally taken by the officer to make a judgment during a typical DUI arrest.

Field Sobriety Test (FST)

The officer will ask the driver to perform several field sobriety tests to test the driver's coordination.  The field sobriety tests employed may include some of the tests below and others:

• Walk in a straight line, heel-to-toe then turn and walk back.
• Tip the head back with eyes closed and touch the tip of the nose with the index finger.
• Stand on one foot.
• Recite the alphabet.
• Count backwards
• Follow a moving finger with the eyes.
• Field breathalyzer test

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports that three specific FST's are statistically reliable in determining if a driver is impaired.  These tests include the "Walk and Turn", the "Stand on One Foot" and the "Moving Finger" (Nystagmus) test.  FST's are not as effective at determining a driver's specific blood alcohol content (BAC) level.

Chemical Test

In addition to the field breathalyzer test, drivers arrested for suspicion of DUI are asked to provide a urine or blood sample to determine the BAC.  Refusal to provide the sample usually results in automatic suspension of the driver's license and presumption of guilt.

Holding

Arrested drivers are normally held in jail until arraignment before a judge and bail is set, at which time they can post bail or be released on their own recognizance.