What must an officer establish before conducting a field sobriety test?

To conduct a field sobriety test, an officer must have established reasonable suspicion of impairment. This standard is less stringent than probable cause but still requires the officer to observe specific behaviors or signs indicating that a driver may be under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Reasonable suspicion can be based on various factors, such as erratic driving, the driver's demeanor, or the presence of an open container of alcohol in the vehicle.

Obtaining reasonable suspicion allows the officer to proceed with a field sobriety test as a means of assessing the driver's capability to operate a vehicle safely. This step is important as it ensures that officers act on observable evidence rather than arbitrary assumptions.

In comparison, clear evidence of intoxication and a confirmed breathalyzer failure might come into play after the initial assessment, but they are not prerequisites for conducting the field sobriety test. Similarly, while probable cause of a crime can lead to an arrest, it is a higher standard than reasonable suspicion and is not necessary to start administering sobriety tests.