Can evidence from field sobriety tests be used in court?

Field sobriety tests are designed to measure a driver's physical and cognitive abilities, assessing potential impairment due to alcohol or drugs. The results of these tests can indeed be used in court to establish whether a driver was impaired at the time of the arrest. Law enforcement officers are trained to administer these tests and interpret the results, which can provide substantial evidence regarding a suspect's level of impairment. This evidence can support the case against a driver accused of driving while intoxicated (DWI) by corroborating the officer's observations and the context of the arrest.

While other options touch on aspects of field sobriety test evidence, they do not accurately represent its role in legal proceedings. For instance, the idea that the tests are purely observational disregards their structured nature and the training officers receive to make informed evaluations based on the results. Similarly, the notion that such evidence is permissible only under certain circumstances or if recorded on video limits the broad applicability of the results obtained from these tests. Thus, the correct answer emphasizes the importance and relevance of field sobriety test evidence in establishing a case for impairment in DWI arrests.