The pursuit continued for approximately 25 minutes with the woman reaching speeds of 85 mph in the northbound lanes and continuing onto streets in Palmdale before finally coming to an end near Adela Court just before 1:30 a.m.

Initially, the woman slowed down as the officer attempted to pull her over, however she fled the scene which led to the high-speed chase. Once the chase came to an end, the officer administered a field sobriety test, and took her into custody. News reports do not indicate whether the woman was arrested on suspicion of DUI, reckless driving, or another offense.

Los Angeles DUI attorneys know the serious consequences individuals face if found guilty of driving under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs. Most people who operate a vehicle after consuming alcohol believe they can drive in a sober manner, escaping the attention of police. However, alcohol impairs an individual’s ability to operate a motor vehicle safely, which often results in speeding, weaving in and out of lanes, or even causing an accident. If we were to be honest, there is probably a point in most people’s lives where they have gotten behind the wheel after consuming alcohol, whether after enjoying a ball game at a friend’s home, or having a drink with dinner at a restaurant. Some get caught, while others do not.

Driving under the influence is a criminal offense in Los Angeles and throughout California. This means that those found guilty will have a permanent criminal record, in addition to facing penalties that may include jail time, substantial fines, driver’s license suspension, probation, and more. The penalties become more serious for repeat offenders. A DUI conviction can not only impact your freedom, but career and reputation as well.

If you have been arrested for driving under the influence, consult with a skilled and aggressive LA criminal defense attorney who will review your case to determine how to proceed so that the damage to your life can be minimized.

What you may not be aware of is that these tests, administered by police, are subject to highly unreliable results. While no police officer would admit to someone he or she pulled over that the results of these tests are far less reliable than those of other tests such as breath or urine tests, the fact is the results are questionable at best.

The three common tests utilized in Los Angeles and throughout California each have their own inherent flaws; these tests include the one-leg stand test, horizontal gaze nystgamus, and walk-and-turn test. Unless you are in the law enforcement or legal industry yourself or are affiliated with someone who is, you probably have no reason to know that the results these tests yield on a frequent basis are inaccurate at best. Most drivers have no idea that the horizontal gaze nystgamus test is only 77% accurate – and it is the one of the three tests identified as the most reliable! What does this mean for motorists? That if stopped for suspicion of drunk or impaired driving, there is a 1 in 4 chance you will be found to be intoxicated.

Generally speaking, law enforcement officials do not freely share this information with an individual who is being tested. Instead, they continue to rely on these tests, putting motorists in a stressful or frightening situation even though they know the test results are not accurate. To make the situation worse, many officers have been found guilty of not properly administering one or even all of the three tests. Since their inception, the field sobriety tests established by the National Transportation Board have been tied to countless improper executions and false arrests. It isn’t only that the tests themselves are unreliable or that law enforcement fail to execute the tests properly – there are many other factors which may affect the outcome. For instance, walking a straight line may not be a simple matter even for a sober person considering his or her attire, weather conditions, medications he/she is taking, even a medical condition itself.

Even the fact that someone who has been pulled over on suspicion of drunk driving is likely nervous and frightened could in itself impact the results of field sobriety tests. After all, how many of us would remain calm and collected enough to pass a walk-and-turn test with flying colors if we were under the scrutiny of a police officer, regardless of whether we were sober or intoxicated?

Now you can consider yourself forewarned about field sobriety tests, and the 25% likelihood you will not pass. If you are ever stopped by police for this reason, be aware that the officer is not likely going to reveal to you the inaccuracies of these tests. Also be aware that you are not required under the law to submit to these tests, although it isn’t likely the officer will inform you of this, either.

What if you have already been arrested for driving under the influence? Regardless of the reason, it is to your benefit to consult with a skilled and capable Los Angeles DUI attorney, who will challenge the methods used to determine you were operating a motor vehicle with a BAC of greater than 0.08%. Even breath and chemical tests have the potential for inaccuracy; equipment malfunction and human error can result in your being arrested for a crime you are innocent of.