If you’ve been pulled over for suspected DUI in Annapolis, there’s a good chance the officer asked you to perform field sobriety tests, like walking a straight line or standing on one leg. What many people don’t realize is that these roadside exercises are voluntary, highly subjective, and often unfairly administered.

At Hartman Attorneys at Law, we focus on exposing the flaws in these tests to weaken the prosecution’s DUI case. Led by former prosecutor Christian Hartman, our team has deep knowledge of the Standardized Field Sobriety Test (SFST) protocols, including the same training that law enforcement uses. We know the science behind these tests—and the many ways officers misapply or misinterpret them.

If you were arrested based on how you performed on a field sobriety test, it’s time to put that evidence under the microscope.

What Are Field Sobriety Tests?

Field sobriety tests are a series of physical and cognitive exercises police officers use to assess whether a driver is impaired. The three main tests approved by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) are:

Horizontal Gaze Nystagmus (HGN)

The officer asks you to follow an object (usually a pen or finger) with your eyes. They look for involuntary eye jerking at certain angles, which may indicate intoxication.

Walk-and-Turn (WAT)

You’re told to walk heel-to-toe along a straight line, turn around, and walk back. The officer scores for balance, coordination, and following instructions.

One-Leg Stand (OLS)

You must raise one foot and hold it for 30 seconds. Swaying, hopping, or using arms for balance can be considered signs of impairment.

Though these tests appear simple, they’re not designed for fairness—they’re designed to create evidence for arrest.

Common Problems with Field Sobriety Tests

Many factors can cause someone to fail a sobriety test, even if they’re sober. These tests rely on an officer’s subjective judgment and don’t account for real-world challenges.

Poor Instructions

Officers may give vague, fast, or confusing instructions. A person who fails to follow them exactly may be considered “impaired,” even if the officer is at fault.

Medical Conditions

Back problems, knee injuries, inner ear issues, neurological disorders, or obesity can affect balance and coordination, mimicking signs of intoxication.

Anxiety & Environment

Being pulled over at night, on the roadside, under stress, or on uneven pavement can cause anyone to stumble or appear unsteady.

Inconsistent Scoring

These tests are not pass/fail. Officers use a scoring system based on “clues” of impairment, but interpretations can vary widely from one officer to another.

Not Administered Properly

Officers must be trained and certified in SFST procedures. If the test isn’t administered correctly, its results may be inadmissible in court.

How Hartman Attorneys at Law Challenges Field Sobriety Tests

We don’t take the officer’s word at face value—and neither should you. At Hartman Attorneys at Law, we know how to scrutinize every step of the traffic stop and the field sobriety testing process.

Our defense strategies include:

  • Reviewing bodycam or dashcam footage to compare your actual performance to what the officer reported
  • Questioning the officer’s training and adherence to NHTSA protocols
  • Presenting medical records that explain alternative causes of poor performance
  • Cross-examining the officer’s observations and credibility
  • Filing motions to suppress test results that were improperly administered

Attorney Christian Hartman’s former role as a prosecutor gives him the ability to anticipate how the state will present these tests—and how to dismantle their arguments in court.

What If You “Failed” the Test?

Don’t panic. Many people “fail” field sobriety tests even when completely sober. These tests are often used to justify arrests that have already been decided, not to objectively determine impairment.

Failing a test does not automatically lead to a conviction. That’s where an experienced Annapolis DUI defense attorney makes all the difference.

Why Choose Hartman Attorneys at Law?

  • Former Prosecutor Insight: Christian Hartman knows how DUI cases are charged and prosecuted.
  • ARIDE Certification: We understand how these tests are conducted—and where officers make mistakes.
  • Local Knowledge: We regularly defend DUI cases in Annapolis and Anne Arundel County courts.
  • 24/7 Availability: DUI arrests don’t follow business hours. We’re here when you need us.
  • Direct Attorney Access: You work directly with your lawyer from day one—no case managers or hand-offs.

Were You Arrested After a Field Sobriety Test? Let Us Fight Back.

A roadside test shouldn’t define your future. If you’ve been arrested for DUI based on a field sobriety test, we can help you challenge the results and protect your driving record, your job, and your reputation.

Contact Hartman Attorneys at Law for a free consultation. We’re here to help you push back against unfair tests and unproven claims—anytime, day or night.

Field Sobriety Tests

If you’ve been pulled over for suspected DUI in Annapolis, there’s a good chance the officer asked you to perform field sobriety tests, like walking a straight line or standing on one leg. What many people don’t realize is that these roadside exercises are voluntary, highly subjective, and often unfairly administered.

At Hartman Attorneys at Law, we focus on exposing the flaws in these tests to weaken the prosecution’s DUI case. Led by former prosecutor Christian Hartman, our team has deep knowledge of the Standardized Field Sobriety Test (SFST) protocols, including the same training that law enforcement uses. We know the science behind these tests—and the many ways officers misapply or misinterpret them.

If you were arrested based on how you performed on a field sobriety test, it’s time to put that evidence under the microscope.

What Are Field Sobriety Tests?

Field sobriety tests are a series of physical and cognitive exercises police officers use to assess whether a driver is impaired. The three main tests approved by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) are:

Horizontal Gaze Nystagmus (HGN)

The officer asks you to follow an object (usually a pen or finger) with your eyes. They look for involuntary eye jerking at certain angles, which may indicate intoxication.

Walk-and-Turn (WAT)

You’re told to walk heel-to-toe along a straight line, turn around, and walk back. The officer scores for balance, coordination, and following instructions.

One-Leg Stand (OLS)

You must raise one foot and hold it for 30 seconds. Swaying, hopping, or using arms for balance can be considered signs of impairment.

Though these tests appear simple, they’re not designed for fairness—they’re designed to create evidence for arrest.

Common Problems with Field Sobriety Tests

Many factors can cause someone to fail a sobriety test, even if they’re sober. These tests rely on an officer’s subjective judgment and don’t account for real-world challenges.

Poor Instructions

Officers may give vague, fast, or confusing instructions. A person who fails to follow them exactly may be considered “impaired,” even if the officer is at fault.

Medical Conditions

Back problems, knee injuries, inner ear issues, neurological disorders, or obesity can affect balance and coordination, mimicking signs of intoxication.

Anxiety & Environment

Being pulled over at night, on the roadside, under stress, or on uneven pavement can cause anyone to stumble or appear unsteady.

Inconsistent Scoring

These tests are not pass/fail. Officers use a scoring system based on “clues” of impairment, but interpretations can vary widely from one officer to another.

Not Administered Properly

Officers must be trained and certified in SFST procedures. If the test isn’t administered correctly, its results may be inadmissible in court.

How Hartman Attorneys at Law Challenges Field Sobriety Tests

We don’t take the officer’s word at face value—and neither should you. At Hartman Attorneys at Law, we know how to scrutinize every step of the traffic stop and the field sobriety testing process.

Our defense strategies include:

  • Reviewing bodycam or dashcam footage to compare your actual performance to what the officer reported
  • Questioning the officer’s training and adherence to NHTSA protocols
  • Presenting medical records that explain alternative causes of poor performance
  • Cross-examining the officer’s observations and credibility
  • Filing motions to suppress test results that were improperly administered

Attorney Christian Hartman’s former role as a prosecutor gives him the ability to anticipate how the state will present these tests—and how to dismantle their arguments in court.

What If You “Failed” the Test?

Don’t panic. Many people “fail” field sobriety tests even when completely sober. These tests are often used to justify arrests that have already been decided, not to objectively determine impairment.

Failing a test does not automatically lead to a conviction. That’s where an experienced Annapolis DUI defense attorney makes all the difference.

Why Choose Hartman Attorneys at Law?

  • Former Prosecutor Insight: Christian Hartman knows how DUI cases are charged and prosecuted.
  • ARIDE Certification: We understand how these tests are conducted—and where officers make mistakes.
  • Local Knowledge: We regularly defend DUI cases in Annapolis and Anne Arundel County courts.
  • 24/7 Availability: DUI arrests don’t follow business hours. We’re here when you need us.
  • Direct Attorney Access: You work directly with your lawyer from day one—no case managers or hand-offs.

Were You Arrested After a Field Sobriety Test? Let Us Fight Back.

A roadside test shouldn’t define your future. If you’ve been arrested for DUI based on a field sobriety test, we can help you challenge the results and protect your driving record, your job, and your reputation.

Contact Hartman Attorneys at Law for a free consultation. We’re here to help you push back against unfair tests and unproven claims—anytime, day or night.