A description of the standards for Standardized Field Sobriety Testing posted by Massachusetts OUI Attorney.

Your Massachusetts OUI Attorney wants you to be well informed. Here is a basic description of the standards for the Standardized Field Sobriety Testing Program:

• In section III it is recommended that each agency develop refresher or in service training, as needed, to ensure that SFST trained personnel maintain their proficiency in the administration of their total OUI/OUI enforcement program.
  
• The NJSP requires that the student obtain 20 practice tests prior to being considered certified in the Horizontal Gaze Nystagmus. There is no time limit on when these tests can be obtained. The U.S. D.O.T. requires 35 practice tests within a six month period. A refusal can not be considered a practice test as the evaluation of the suspect must be corroborated by a blood alcohol reading. The officer is trained to conduct the HGN test last during his practice test period and not to formulate an opinion based on the results or use it for probable cause to arrest. They are told not to document the test due to this.
  
• At no time may a person that is tested be used more than once on a practice test. As a result of this it is necessary to review the documentation of the practice tests in order to determine if the practitioner was properly recommended for certification.

This material is for informational purposes only. If you want to know how the SFST tests affect you, please contact your OUI Lawyer.