If a Minnesota police officer makes a traffic stop, the driver may be asked to exit the vehicle. This is often an indication that the police officer suspects the person in question of drunk driving. To make a DWI arrest, however, police must have probable cause, and this is often accomplished through a field sobriety test, such as the walk-and-turn test.
An intoxicated person might have a difficult time taking a walk-and-turn test. The test usually requires a person to walk a straight line by placing the heel of one foot at the toes of the other with each step, while holding arms out at shoulder length on each side. If a person fails a sobriety test, an arrest may follow.
Motorists are not obligated to take a walk-and-turn test
Many people assume that if a Minnesota police officer asks them to take a field sobriety test, they must comply. In fact, a driver may choose to decline a walk-and-turn test or any other preliminary alcohol screening test during a traffic stop. It is important to understand state laws, however, as there are distinctions between refusing a preliminary roadside breath test and refusing a secondary breath test that is typically administered at a local police station.
Seek legal counsel at first opportunity
If a person is taken into police custody in Minnesota and winds up facing DWI charges, a prosecutor will typically use whatever means is available under the law to secure a conviction. If an arrest takes place, the best thing a person can do is request legal support. When an accused individual does this at the start, it often increases his or her chances of obtaining a positive outcome in court.