Man Dancing Through Sobriety Test Becomes a Viral Video
By a Staff Writer for The Law Office of Edward Tayter
The latest viral online sensation — which features a 39-year-old Ohio man dancing his way through a sobriety test, and straight into jail – isn’t the first of its kind and likely won’t be the last but is still worth noting. While most drivers are familiar with portions of Standardized Field Sobriety Testing (SFST) — such as the walk-and-turn test, or the one leg stand test – few have seen sobriety tests conducted like this one in Gahanna.
Though the video is almost a year old, it’s still making the rounds online and enjoyed a surge in shares this week. And it’s easy to see why. In the police car dash-cam video you can watch as the man is instructed to touch his heel with his hand. The suspected drunk driver decides to take the test it a little further, adding a few cha-cha steps and hip-shaking moves, at one point gesturing at the dashboard camera. Just in case the arresting officer wasn’t convinced of the man’s impressive dance skills, or his inebriation, the man decided that motor-boating the air would be his best next move. The demonstration was accompanied by a story the man relayed about an encounter he had with a woman at a bar just prior to the traffic stop. And, on the off chance that the officer in this particular situation still had doubts about the man’s intoxication level, the 39-year-old announced at the end of his performance, “I’m guilty!” The arresting officer, and probably everyone who has watched the video online, would most definitely agree.
While the Ohio man appeared to have a good time that night, once he sobered up the next day one would assume the gravity of his situation became quite clear. Undergoing a sobriety test and being arrested for DUI or DWI are serious matters. No matter how simple walking in a straight line, or touching your fingers to your nose might seem in the sober light of day, police and prosecutors maintain these tests are accurate more than 90 percent of the time when determining intoxication. Also, a DUI arrest and the ensuing legal battle can be a costly affair. In Maryland, drivers convicted of a first-time offense can face up to one year in jail, a $1,000 fine, loss of their license, and increased or canceled car insurance premiums. Additionally, such an arrest counts as a criminal offense and can jeopardize current or future job prospects, academic standing at colleges and universities, and personal relationships.
If you are facing DUI/DWI charges stemming from a failed sobriety test in Maryland, do not hesitate to call The Law Office of Edward Tayter for a free, initial consultation. Only an experienced lawyer can adequately guide you and your loved ones through this extremely stressful legal situation. From explaining the legal process to answering any and all questions that you may have, an attorney that focuses on DUI/DWI defenses will be your greatest advocate inside and outside of the courtroom.