The last “test” for us to review in our series on the standardized
field tests is the One Leg Stand. The name is pretty descriptive as to
the task the officer will request you to perform. Again, the devil is
in the details when attempting to accomplish the test.
The one leg stand is performed by picking one leg, the left or the right
is fine. You will keep the leg of your choice planted firmly on the ground
and lift the other foot up, keeping both legs straight and begin counting
using the one thousand one, one thousand two, one thousand three . . .
technique. Your hands must remain at your side and not used to balance
yourself. You must remain looking at your raised foot.
Some officers will instruct you to count from one thousand one to one thousand
thirty. Other officers will just tell you to begin counting one thousand
one, one thousand two and continue until they tell you to stop.
Important things to remember…
1. The test is extremely difficult, if not impossible to perform, if you
have injured legs, knees, feet (personally, my previous injuries would
prevent me from trying this task if suspected of DUI)
2. While the legs must remain straight . . . don’t lock out your knee
3. Keep your hands at your side
4. Focus on counting, this distracts you form focusing on balancing or
the pain of standing on one leg
5. Stare at your foot – don’t allow room for distractions
6. Do not put your foot down until told to do so or you reach the number
the officer stated you could stop at
Again, all field sobriety tasks are very, very difficult to pass under
real life conditions. Try this task in private then try it with friends
and family watch. Remember, there is no redo or start over while being
tested for your freedom. Your foot doesn’t need to touch the ground
to fail. You can fail by raising your hands, messing up your count or swaying.
Your freedom and my freedom are precious, I don’t trust mine to my
ability to stand on one leg!!! If you have been
charged with a DUI, contact Bluestein Johnson & Burke immediately by filling our our
online contact form.