Franklin Springs DUI Lawyer

At The Law Office of Richard S. Lawson, we understand the pressures you are facing with a DUI arrest. It is normal to be worried about how a DUI conviction will affect your career, family, and future. The good news is that a charge is not the same as a conviction. There are many DUI defenses our DUI Lawyers in Franklin Springs can use to defend your case. Call us today and schedule a free no-obligation consultation with one of our experienced lawyers.

Field Sobriety Tests in Franklin Springs GA

Field sobriety testing has been around since law enforcement first started enforcing DUI laws. In the beginning, the tests ranged from officer to officer. Essentially, officers could use whatever techniques they wanted to try and gauge a person's impairment. In the late 1970s, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) regulated the tests and designed a three-part test. It includes the one-leg stand, the walk-and-turn, and the horizontal gaze nystagmus test. These tests became the standard in determining whether the driver was under the influence of alcohol or drugs. While most officers use these tests, they sometimes utilize other methods such as reciting the alphabet backward.

Types of Tests:

Standard methods of testing to see if a driver is impaired include field sobriety tests. These three steps each have their own advantages and disadvantages. However, they all share the same difficulty of relying on basic physical abilities that not all people possess.

One-Leg Stand: This test is self-explanatory, but an officer will request the driver to stand on one leg. The officer is looking to see if the driver has a difficult time balancing. However, this test may give inaccurate results if the person has poor vision, is wearing high heel shoes, or if they are overweight.

Walk-and-Turn: If an officer uses the walk-and-turn test, they will request the driver to take 10 steps, turn, and then repeat the same 10 steps back. The steps must be taken heel to toe. The officer will observe whether the driver can follow directions and can perform the requested actions. Similarly to the one-leg stand, there are factors beside drinking that can make this test difficult.

Horizontal Gaze Nystagmus- The HGN test is the most widely accepted and scientifically approved. This test involves the driver trying to follow an object, such as a pen, while the officer watches. The officer is looking for signs of intoxication, including whether the driver is able to follow the pen. There are some medical conditions and prescription drugs that can affect this test.

How our Franklin Springs DUI Attorneys Can Help

Our lawyers have over 50 combined years of experience with DUI cases. We have an extensive understanding of the strengths and weaknesses of field sobriety tests. Even if you believe you failed the tests, we can help! It can be difficult in any case for people to pass these tests. Factors that can impact your performance on these tests include your footwear, age, weather, weight, or any medical conditions you may have. By using dash-cam footage from the police car, it is possible to prove that the tests were not administered properly. When your future is on the line, it is important to investigate every angle to see if the evidence against you is valid. Our DUI lawyers in Franklin Springs are extremely thorough in their investigation and will ensure your rights, freedom, and future are protected.

Franklin Springs Municipal Court

If you have been arrested for DUI in Franklin Springs, your case will proceed to Franklin Springs Municipal Court. Judge Dale R. “Bubba” Samuels presides over the Court and Court is held at Franklin Springs City Hall located at 2531 W. Main Street, Franklin Springs, GA 30639. For more information, call 706-245-6957.

Time is of the Essence if Arrested for DUI in Franklin Springs

Call now and speak with one of our Franklin Springs DUI Lawyers to schedule a free consultation. Our Attorneys are highly knowledgeable and will assist you in formulating the best possible defense for your case. We will walk you through every step of the process, and we are dedicated to being accessible to you- days, nights, weekends, and holidays while working hard on your behalf. Your future is at stake, so don't wait to call us.