National DUI Attorneys Team Up -- To Learn How To Beat Police Standardized Field Sobriety Tests

Atlanta, GA -- June 14, 1996 -- This month, attorneys from all over the country met in Atlanta to learn the secrets of giving field sobriety tests to suspected drunk drivers.

In the process they became certified in the use of the three field tests approved by NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration). These three tests are the only ones approved in DUI/DWI (Driving While Under the Influence of Alcohol) Detection and Standardized Field Sobriety Testing.

“We learned how to beat the police at their own game,” says nationally known DUI/DWI attorney, William C. Head. There is a scientifically required method of administering and scoring the three recognized tests.

“More simply stated, we are now able to take the voodoo out of Standardized Field Sobriety Tests,” he says.

Head is a frequent lecturer on DUI/DWI and Criminal Law issues and has sponsored the NHTSA certification classes for attorneys from all over the country. Head is also founder of a controversial group of national DUI attorneys who have advanced training in DUI/DWI representation.

According to NHTSA standards there is a specific required method of administering and scoring field sobriety tests. Even under ideal circumstances and when conducted properly NHTSA studies show that these tests are accurate only 65-70% of the time, says NHTSA instructor Rick Swope.

Swope, a former DUI/DWI Task Force Officer from Davie, Florida, has trained and certified more than 300 defense attorneys at the Atlanta- based programs. He is also an expert on accident reconstruction and has logged over 2500 hours of law enforcement training.

In his lectures attorney Head, who is well versed in national DUI/DWI law, presents much compelling information and the troubling facts about the realities of DUI/DWI in America today, such as:

1. The lack of scientific studies correlating blood-alcohol levels and driving, to performing “gymnastic exercises” on the side of the road. (Example: In a recent Florida DUI/DWI case a judge in a “Field Sobriety Test” case threw out any references to “pass” or “fail”).

2. The troubling current trend of “task force” officers stopping cars without sufficient probable cause. (Example: In Upper State New York, this past month, more than 25,000 stops were made in order to arrest 902 people for DUI/DWI). Is this really an effective way for us to be utilizing our police forces?

3. A growing trend for police officers to offer half-truths about cases, in order to try to convict and increase county and state revenues through DUI/DWI fines and penalties.

4. Mounting controversy around breath-alcohol test machine results. (Example: In North Georgia last month a Judge threw out all evidence from the Intoxilyzer 5000, alcohol breath analyzer machine, also in one county in Georgia all evidence from the breath tests has been found inadmissible, indicating growing national skepticism about the accuracy of these machines.)

For more information on DUI/DWI law and issues in Atlanta, contact: Attorney William C. Head at 404-816-3111 (phone) or 404-816-4111 (fax).