Quick question for the administrator though, about what does it cost to represent someone these days? From the ALR hearing to revoke the driver license to the various court resets to a two or so day trial? I know some fellows charge upwards of $50k for the package deal while others advertise $500 at a starting point (ending up around 9 or 10k if it goes all the way to trial) but those are extremes, yes?

There are roadside breath tests given here in Texas and in the US generally. However, in Texas as well as many other States, the prosecutor can prove intoxication based upon the accused’s perceived deficiencies in his/her physical and/or mental capacity to operate a motor vehicle, in lieu of proving that the accused had a blood alcohol content (BAC) over the legal limit. Thus, the State can prosecute a DWI case without the need to administer a chemical test of the person’s BAC. So in cases where there is no breath/blood test indicating a person BAC over the legal limit, the Standard Field Sobriety Tests can be used as evidence to prove that a person had diminished mental/physical capacity to operate a motor vehicle.

Standard Field Sobriety Tests are challenged all the time for a variety of reasons, such as the officer administering the tests was not in strict conformity with the guidelines of administering such test(s).

In the UK, Police can administer a roadside breath-test, with a further (more accurate)breath test being administered at the police station following arrest. The result of the test at the Police Station is the one which will beused as evidence in any prosecution, and refusal to provide a specimin when requested can also be a separate offence, dependent of the circumstnaces, although there is the right to offer a blood-test instead.

I ask because I don’t think that the tests you’ve outlined would be accepted as evidence of being over the drink-drive limit here in the UK. How often are they challenged?