October 27, 2015

verview of Detection, Note Taking, and Testimony DWI Detection and Standardized Field Sobriety Testing • Phase One – Vehicle in Motion

Session 4 - Overview of Detection, Note Taking, and Testimony
DWI Detection and Standardized Field Sobriety Testing
Phase One – Vehicle in Motion
Phase Two – Personal Contact
Phase Three – Pre-Arrest Screening
DWI Detection Phases (Cont.)
4-5
The DWI detection process does not always include all three phases. Sometimes there
are DWI detection contacts in which Phase One is absent. These are cases in which
you have no opportunity to observe the vehicle in motion. This may occur at the crash
scene, at a roadblock or checkpoint, or when you have responded to a request for
motorist assistance. Sometimes there are DWI contacts in which Phase Three is
absent. There are cases in which you would not administer formal tests to the driver.
This may occur when the driver is grossly impaired, badly injured, or refuses to submit
to tests.
Session 4 - Overview of Detection, Note Taking, and Testimony
Standard Field Sobriety Test Course
Decisions and Possible
Outcomes
Decisions
Phase One - Stop?
Phase Two - Exit?
Phase Three - Arrest?
Possible Outcomes
Yes – Do it now
Wait – Look for more evidence
No – Don’t do it
4-6
In each of the three phases, there will be decisions and possible outcomes.
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HS 178 R5/13 5 of 21
Session 4 - Overview of Detection, Note Taking, and Testimony
DWI Detection and Standardized Field Sobriety Testing
Decisions
4-7
Phase One: Vehicle in Motion – Should I
stop the vehicle?
Phase Two – Personal Contact - Should
the driver exit?
Phase Three – Pre-arrest Screening - Is
there probable cause to arrest the
suspect for DWI?
Major Tasks and Decisions
Each detection phase usually involves two major tasks and one major decision.
In Phase One: Your first task is to observe the vehicle in operation. Based on this
observation, you must decide whether there is sufficient cause to command the driver to
stop. Your second task is to observe the stopping sequence. You may want to take a
picture of the vehicle or scene, especially if the vehicle was involved in a crash.
In Phase Two: Your first task is to observe and interview the driver face to face. Based
on this observation, you must decide whether there is sufficient cause to instruct the
driver to step from the vehicle for further investigation. Your second task is to observe
the driver's exit and walk from the vehicle. You may want to take a photo of the
defendant.
In Phase Three: Your first task is to administer structured, formal psychophysical tests.
Based on these tests, you must decide whether there is sufficient probable cause to
arrest the driver for DWI. Your second task is then to arrange for (or administer) a
Preliminary Breath Test.
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HS 178 R5/13 6 of 21
Session 4 - Overview of Detection, Note Taking, and Testimony
DWI Detection and Standardized Field Sobriety Testing
Yes – Do It Now
Phase One: Yes, there are reasonable
grounds to stop the vehicle
Phase Two: Yes, there is enough reason
to suspect impairment to justify getting
the driver out of the vehicle for further
investigation
Phase Three: Yes, there is probable
cause to arrest driver for DWI right now
Possible Outcomes
4-8
Each of the major decisions can have any one of three different outcomes:
• Yes - Do it Now
• Wait - Look for Additional Evidence
• No - Don't Do It
Consider the following examples.
Yes - Do It Now
Phase One: Yes, there are reasonable grounds to stop the vehicle.
Phase Two: Yes, there is enough reason to suspect impairment to justify getting the
driver out of the vehicle for further investigation.
Phase Three: Yes, there is probable cause to arrest the driver for DWI right now.
Session 4 - Overview of Detection, Note Taking, and Testimony
DWI Detection and Standardized Field Sobriety Testing
Wait – Look for Additional Evidence
Phase One: Don't stop the vehicle yet;
keep following and observing it longer
Phase Two: Don't get the driver out of the
car yet; keep talking to and observing the
driver longer
Phase Three: Don't arrest the driver yet;
administer another field sobriety test
before deciding
Possible Outcomes
4-9
Wait - Look for Additional Evidence
Phase One: Don't stop the vehicle yet; keep following and observing it a bit longer.
Phase Two: Don't get the driver out of the car yet; keep talking to and observing the
driver a bit longer. (This option may be limited if the officer's personal safety is at risk.)
Phase Three: Don't arrest the driver yet; administer another field sobriety test before
deciding.
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HS 178 R5/13 7 of 21Source: DWI Detection and
Standardized Field
Sobriety Testing

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