Field Sobriety Tests In Ohio OVI Stops: Proper Instructions, Scoring, And Common Errors

Field sobriety tests are a major source of evidence in Ohio OVI cases, but they are not automatic proof of impairment. These tests are structured, scored using specific “clues,” and supposed to be administered in a consistent way. When an officer skips steps or gives unclear instructions, the results can be far less reliable than they appear in a report. In late 2025, public reporting about an Ohio OVI stop involving Ohio State women’s basketball coach Kevin McGuff highlighted how roadside testing and body camera footage can shape what prosecutors pursue and what the final outcome becomes. Patrick M. Farrell Co. L.P.A. serves clients in Cleveland, Sandusky, Norwalk, and Willard, and across Cuyahoga County and Northeast Ohio.

What Are Field Sobriety Tests In Ohio?

Field sobriety tests are roadside exercises officers use to decide whether they suspect impaired driving and whether they believe they have probable cause to arrest. Ohio law enforcement commonly relies on standardized field sobriety tests, often called SFSTs, which are designed to be administered and scored in a specific way.

A Cleveland criminal defense lawyer will often start by asking two questions:

1. Did police have a lawful basis to request the tests?
2. Were the tests conducted and documented properly?

The Three Standardized Field Sobriety Tests Officers Use

Ohio OVI stops typically involve these standardized tests. Understanding what officers are trained to do helps you understand where mistakes happen.

Horizontal Gaze Nystagmus Test

The Horizontal Gaze Nystagmus test looks for involuntary eye movements while a person tracks a stimulus. Officers look for specific clues in each eye.

What proper administration usually includes:

• Positioning the stimulus correctly in front of the face
• Checking for equal pupil size and tracking
• Moving the stimulus at specific speeds and angles
• Looking for distinct clues rather than general impressions

Common errors include poor positioning, rushing the process, distractions from traffic or lights, or failing to document what was observed in a way that matches the video.

Walk And Turn Test

This is a divided-attention test. Officers look for specific clues while a person follows instructions, walks heel-to-toe on a line, turns, and returns.

Proper setup and instructions usually include:

• Clear demonstration and step-by-step instructions
• Confirming the person understands before starting
• Choosing a reasonable surface and space
• Watching for defined scoring clues during the walk and the turn

Common errors include unclear instructions, talking over the person during the test, conducting the test on uneven pavement, or failing to account for footwear, weather, slope, or physical limitations.

One Leg Stand Test

This test also divides attention. The person is asked to raise one foot and count while maintaining balance.

Proper administration usually includes:

• Clear instruction and demonstration
• A reasonable, safe testing location
• Timing that matches the method used for scoring

Common errors include inconsistent timing, unclear directions, or conducting the test in conditions that make balance harder than necessary.

How Officers “Score” Field Sobriety Tests

Field sobriety tests are not supposed to be scored as a general vibe. Officers are trained to look for specific clues. The scoring process matters because prosecutors often use the number of alleged clues as a major argument for impairment.

A Cleveland drunk driving defense lawyer will often compare:

• The officer’s claimed clues
• The officer’s instructions and demonstrations
• The actual performance shown on body camera or dash camera footage
• The physical conditions where testing occurred

That comparison is where many cases begin to change.

Common Administration Errors That Can Undermine The Results

Even when an officer is acting in good faith, field sobriety tests can be affected by preventable issues.

Unclear Or Incomplete Instructions

If a person does not fully understand the instructions, performance can look worse than it is. Officers may be trained to confirm understanding, but that step is not always handled cleanly.

Testing Conditions That Skew Performance

Surface, lighting, traffic distractions, weather, footwear, and space constraints can affect performance. A Cuyahoga County criminal defense lawyer will often look for whether the testing location made the results less reliable.

Physical Or Medical Factors

Injuries, age-related balance issues, neurological conditions, fatigue, and anxiety can affect coordination and concentration. These are not automatic defenses, but they can matter when the officer treats imperfect balance as proof of intoxication.

Report And Video Mismatches

One of the most important review steps is comparing the report to the video. If the report claims severe impairment but the video shows stable walking, clear speech, or repeated compliance, that inconsistency matters.

What Happens Next After Field Sobriety Tests In An Ohio OVI Stop

Whether you were arrested in Cleveland or elsewhere in Cuyahoga County, most cases move through a similar process.

Investigation And Arrest

Officers document the stop, observations, and tests. If they believe they have probable cause, an arrest may follow.

Bail And Bond Conditions

Conditions can include no alcohol, no driving, reporting requirements, or other restrictions. Violations can create new problems fast.

Arraignment

Charges are formally read and a plea is entered. A Cleveland criminal defense lawyer can also address bond issues and begin evidence requests.

Pretrial And Evidence Review

This is where the defense examines the stop, the tests, and any chemical testing. A criminal defense attorney in Cleveland will typically request video and the underlying documentation that supports the officer’s scoring claims.

Negotiations And Trial

Negotiations often become more realistic after the defense tests the evidence. If the case goes to trial, the state still must prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.

Ohio Procedure Basics That Matter In Field Sobriety Test Cases

If you are facing an OVI allegation, a few legal principles come up repeatedly.

• Statements to police can become evidence. Even casual answers can be quoted later.
• Search and seizure rules still apply. Stops must be lawful, and evidence collection must follow legal requirements.
• Bond conditions matter. Noncompliance can affect the case and release status.

A Cleveland criminal defense attorney can explain how these rules apply to your specific facts.

What To Do Now If Field Sobriety Tests Are Being Used Against You

If police have contacted you, cited you, or charged you, practical steps can protect you.

• Do not give additional statements without counsel
• Do not discuss the stop on social media or in messages
• Write down the timeline while it is fresh, including where you were, the reason given for the stop, and what happened during testing
• Preserve paperwork, towing receipts, and any communications that relate to the stop
• Speak with a Cuyahoga County criminal defense lawyer early so video and records can be requested quickly

When Field Sobriety Test Results Should Be Challenged In Ohio

Field sobriety tests can carry weight in Ohio OVI cases, but only if they are administered and documented properly. The instructions, scoring clues, testing environment, and video evidence often determine whether the results should be trusted or challenged. A Cleveland criminal defense lawyer can review the stop, identify procedural problems, and push back when the state treats imperfect roadside performance as automatic proof of impairment. Patrick M. Farrell Co. L.P.A. represents clients in Cleveland, Sandusky, Norwalk, and Willard, and throughout Cuyahoga County and Northeast Ohio. Call or text 216-661-5050 for a free, confidential consultation.

Text or Call: 216-661-5050 • Contact: Submit a Request • Email: cindy@patfarrelllaw.com

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