Police officers in North Carolina often pay close attention to a driver’s eyes during traffic stops. Officers are trained to look for signs of intoxication in the eyes – but these signs are often questionable at best. If you were arrested simply because your eyes were bloodshot, you may be able to fight your charges with relative ease. For more information, speak about potential defense strategies with an experienced DWI lawyer in North Carolina.
Why Do Police Officers Look at Your Eyes During Traffic Stops?
Police departments believe that they can determine a driver’s intoxication levels simply by looking at their eyes. Often, they will shine flashlights directly in the eyes of drivers in order to carry out these questionable examinations. They are trained to look for various signs of intoxication, including:
Bloodshot eyes
Red circles
Dilated pupils
“Glassy” eyes
Drooping eyelids
Watery eyes
Aside from simply looking at the eyes, officers may also test reactions to certain stimuli. They may ask drivers to focus on their finger or a flashlight as they move it from side to side. According to police officers, jerky eye movements during this process could indicate impairment. Other sources claim that intoxicated people cannot cross their eyes – and this is called “lack of convergence.” Another issue called horizontal gaze nystagmus (HGN) involves uncontrollable horizontal eye movements caused by alcohol.
Are Eye Tests Reliable During DWI Traffic Stops?
Eye tests are highly questionable during DWI traffic stops. Drivers may exhibit various eye issues for reasons that have nothing to do with intoxication, and it is virtually impossible to prove that someone is under the influence solely by looking at their eyes.
Someone may have bloodshot eyes for all kinds of reasons. Perhaps they are simply tired after a long day at work. Perhaps they are stressed out. Maybe they always have bloodshot eyes due to their genetics. A host of medical conditions cause bloodshot eyes, including conjunctivitis, allergies (hayfever), abrasions, and corneal ulcers. In addition, patients often exhibit bloodshot eyes when taking certain (legal) medications.
Calling Eye Tests into Question
After a DWI arrest, officers almost always claim that the driver had bloodshot eyes. They may also claim that you were slurring your words, stumbling, or driving erratically. When viewed together, these observations could indicate intoxication. However, your lawyer can methodically cast doubt on each observation – leaving police with virtually no legitimate reason to arrest you.
Can a DWI Defense Lawyer in North Carolina Help Me?
A DWI defense lawyer in North Carolina may be able to help you fight for your rights after an arrest. These legal professionals can question various evidence laid against you – including your bloodshot eyes. It may be easier to fight DWI charges than you realize, especially if your conviction rests on flimsy evidence. To learn more about potential defense strategies, contact Coastal South Law today.
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