The DUI Stop & Field Sobriety

Can my weight, age, or bad knee affect field sobriety results?

Attorney-Reviewed Answer
Reviewed by Christopher Walsh, Criminal Trial Attorney (Fla. Bar #127459). Last reviewed: September 2026
Short Answer
Yes, substantially — and the officer is supposed to ask about it beforehand. Many don't.

Yes. These are balance exercises, and anything affecting balance affects the result. Impairment is one item on that list, not the only one.

Age. Significant weight. Back, knee, and ankle problems. Inner-ear conditions. Neuropathy. Vertigo. Recent surgery. Prosthetics. Certain medications. Also exhaustion, and the ordinary physiological effect of adrenaline — being pulled over is frightening, and frightened people shake.

The training material directs officers to ask whether the person has any condition or injury affecting performance. Where that question is asked and the answer documented, it's on the record. Where it isn't, that's a gap worth developing — the officer administered a physical test without checking whether the person was physically able to perform it.

Medical records documenting a pre-existing condition can turn "he showed four clues" into something the jury understands differently.

If you have anything on that list, tell your lawyer before anyone else. ---

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This page answers a common question for general informational purposes and is not legal advice, and no attorney-client relationship is formed by reading it. Florida law changes; while this answer is reviewed by a licensed Florida attorney, the right answer depends on the specific facts of your situation — consult an attorney. Serving Martin, St. Lucie, Palm Beach, Indian River, and Okeechobee Counties.