How does the horizontal gaze nystagmus test work?
If you are stopped at a sobriety checkpoint or pulled over on suspicion of drunk driving one of the first tests that officers will do is that of the horizontal gaze nystagmus (HGN) test. This is one of
three field sobriety tests used to measure a person's general physical and mental functioning. The involuntary jerk of a person's eyeball is scientifically referred to as nystagmus; as it pertains to drunk driving impairment this test monitors whether or not an individual's eyeball jerks laterally or horizontally when the eye gazes to the side. A correlation has been made that relates a person's impairment from
drugs or alcohol to the tendency for one or both of their eyes to exhibit signs of HGN.
It should be noted that many state courts have yet to accept the evidence of HGN tests into the courtroom when a person is on trial for drinking and driving. Breath and blood tests are viewed to be a more accurate indication of DUI and in some states they are one of the only indicators allowed. This makes California's regular practice of submitting HGN test results as evidence much more questionable. Allegations of
DUI in Los Angeles require aggressive
DUI defense in order to protect persons who face
DMV hearings and legal
penalties if they are convicted.
Los Angeles DUI Lawyer for Field Sobriety Test Defense
No one believes that they will one day need a Los Angeles DUI attorney to represent them in or out of the courtroom. However, with tests as unreliable as the
walk and turn test, the
one leg stand test and the horizontal gaze nystagmus test many people are falsely accused of a crime for which they are not guilty. Therefore, hiring an attorney on whom you can rely and trust may turn out to be the best decision you ever make, even if it wasn't initially in the plans.
DUI lawyers at the Law Offices of Loren M. Merlin are ready to take on the drunk driving cases of Los Angeles residents and out-of-state visitors who have been arrested for drinking and driving. We know that no matter what got you to this point, the fact of the matter is that you now need help and your future is at stake. Therefore, we go out of our way to take on every case we believe we can help, from persons who have received
multiple DUIs to
underage DUIs and even charges of a
minor in possession. There is no case too big or small for our team of defense attorneys, particularly when it comes to protecting the rights, integrity and freedom of those who stand to lose all of these things if convicted.
The legal expertise you need is only a phone call away. Contact a Los Angeles DUI lawyer today!