What is HGN Test in Bradenburg?

HGN stands for horizontal gaze nystagmus. It is a type of involuntary jerking or twitching motion of the eyes, generally caused by alcohol intoxication. In Bradenburg, Kentucky, checking for HGN is one type of field sobriety test police officers use to determine if you are under the influence of alcohol. In the event that you are ever pulled over because an officer suspects that you are driving under the influence, or DUI, it helps to understand the basics of HGN test in Bradenburg.

The HGN test is administered by a police officer as part of the standardized field sobriety tests, or FSTs, that a motorist who is under suspicion for DUI is asked to perform. For the HGN test the officer will instruct you to follow a small object, such as a pen, with your eyes while the officer observes how your eyes follow the object. The officer is looking to see how your eyes move and how much, if any, eye “jerking” or “twitching” is present. The sooner the jerking starts, the more pronounced it is, and the longer the jerking continues all equate to a higher level of intoxication.

Along with the HGN test, the “walk and turn” and “one-leg stand” make up the standardized FSTs used by most law enforcement agencies. Failing just one of the FSTs is sufficient for an officer to place you under arrest for DUI in Bradenburg.

HGN is an involuntary reaction, meaning that there is no way to “beat” the test or to prepare for the test. While there is no way to prevent the “jerking” or “twitching” of the eye caused by alcohol or drug consumption, there are some medical conditions that will impact the validity of the findings of the HGN test. In addition, officers frequently administer the test improperly and/or fail to interpret the results correctly. Moreover, the test itself has been found to be less than accurate even if properly administered. For this reason it is imperative that you retain an attorney if you have been charged with a DUI.

The best thing you can do to influence the outcome of a DUI charge is retain an experienced Bradenburg DUI criminal defense attorney as soon as possible. A good attorney will review the evidence and develop a strategic defense that has the best chance of reducing or eliminating the charges you are facing.