Field Sobriety Tests in Jefferson

In Ohio, police officers rely on Standardized Field Sobriety Tests (SFST) to figure out whether a driver might be under the influence. These are a set of simple, easy-to-administer “tests” that were researched by the National Highway Safety Administration and then standardized so that officers and highway patrolmen could use them consistently. The earliest versions appeared in the 1970s and were studied throughout the 1980s.

Common Types of Field Sobriety Tests

Below is a breakdown of the field sobriety tests that police officers most often use:

• Horizontal gaze nystagmus test – The officer asks you to track the movement of a pen or another object using only your eyes, keeping your head perfectly still.
• One-legged stand test – The officer asks you to balance on one leg while raising the other foot roughly 6 inches off the ground, then count out loud. You’re timed for 30 seconds to see whether you can keep your foot raised and count accurately.
• Walk and turn test – The officer asks you to walk heel to toe along the white line on the road for a set number of steps, then turn around and return the same way.

Here’s something worth keeping in mind about field sobriety tests: even healthy, completely sober people often have trouble passing them. Someone living with a disability, an illness, or an injury—or someone who is overweight—may struggle to complete these tasks and end up looking impaired even when they’re not. On top of that, most road surfaces aren’t smooth, especially along the edge where the white line sits. And to make matters worse, not every officer administers these tests properly. If any of this sounds familiar, a Jefferson Ohio OVI attorney can review exactly how your test was conducted.

It’s also important to understand that you are not legally obligated to perform a field sobriety test. You have the full right to refuse them if you choose to.

Chemical Testing in Ohio and Implied Consent

The phrase “chemical testing” describes any blood, breath, or urine test that police officials use to establish whether a person is driving under the influence.

“Implied consent,” on the other hand, means that when you accepted your driver’s license and signed your name on the line, you automatically agreed to submit to chemical testing whenever law enforcement requests it. A knowledgeable Jefferson Ohio criminal lawyer can explain how this rule may apply to your specific situation.

In many cases, when an officer suspects you of drunk driving during a traffic stop, he’ll ask you to blow into a portable breath machine to measure your blood alcohol level. This handheld device goes by several names—a preliminary breath test, a roadside breath test, or simply a breathalyzer. You might be asked to take a breathalyzer test whether or not you’ve also been asked to perform field sobriety tests.

If the breathalyzer reading shows that you’re intoxicated—meaning your blood alcohol content sits above the legal limit—you’ll be arrested for OVI. Fortunately, there’s an upside: these portable breath devices are notoriously unreliable and inaccurate, which is why the prosecutor isn’t permitted to use their results against you in court. If this happened to you, reach out to a Jefferson Ohio OVI attorney as soon as possible.

There are no legal penalties for declining a breathalyzer test, exactly as there are none for declining to perform field sobriety tests. That said, refusing the tests won’t necessarily prevent officers from arresting you if they believe you’re drunk.

The real consequences appear when you refuse a chemical blood, breath, or urine test—and this is precisely where implied consent comes into play. You’re allowed to refuse, but doing so exposes you to additional charges. With a breath test, you could face both civil and criminal charges separate from your OVI. If you turn down a blood test, you may face civil charges, though you won’t have to deal with criminal ones. An experienced Jefferson Ohio criminal lawyer can help you weigh these options carefully.

If you’ve been arrested for drunk driving and provided a blood, urine, or breath sample to police, contact Youngstown Criminal Law Group right away.

Sean Logue and the team at Youngstown Criminal Law Group have completed extensive training in OVI laws, defense strategies, and arrest procedures. Having handled hundreds of cases throughout Ashtabula County, they bring tenacity and unwavering dedication to every client—frequently securing reduced or dismissed charges. When you need a trusted Jefferson Ohio OVI attorney in your corner, this is the team to call.

For a free initial consultation, dial (330) 791-8104 at any hour of the day or night.