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When you retain Jack I. Hyatt, you will get the very best defense from a former assistant states attorney who has prosecuted over 20,000 cases for the State of Maryland, understands both sides of the law and thoroughly knows the state's playbook and procedures.

"I selected Jack Hyatt because of his experience, knowledge and reputation. He thoroughly investigated my case, detected technical mistakes made during my arrest and had my DWI and all other charges completely dismissed at trial. If you are charged with DWI or any traffic charge, he is the lawyer you need to call."   Robert E. Schade

"Thank you for your persistence on hard work. After a breath test of 1.5 resulting in 5 charges including DUI, DWI, failure to drive right of center and leaving the scene of an accident, I was totally surprised when you had all 5 charges dismissed at trial. The result was more than I expected or hoped for. I now understand why the first lawyer I called referred me to you."   Dr. Ochi.

Credentials

JACK I. HYATT
Drunk Driving Attorney
Attorney Credentials:
   Former Assistant State's Attorney
Admitted To Practice Before:
   The U.S. Supreme Court
   All Maryland Courts
   Federal District Court
Member:
   Maryland State Bar Association
   Baltimore City Bar Association
   Baltimore County Bar Association
   University of Baltimore
   A.A. B.S. J.D.
   Honorable Discharge U.S. Army


What is the purpose of the follow the penlight with the eyes test?

This is the horizontal gaze nystagmus (HGN) test. When conducting this test, the officer is watching for an involuntary jerking of the eye, which may, among other causes, by caused by consumption of alcohol. If the officer detects three clues in each eye, lack of smooth pursuit, nystagmus at maximum deviation, and nystagmus prior to 45 degrees, then he is trained to arrest. In Maryland, the legal effect of this test has pretty much been neutralized by two appellate decisions holding that the court can only accept the test to show the defendant had consumed alcohol.

I thought I did well on the field tests, why was I arrested?

If you really did do well on the field tests, this may be a defense at trial. In many cases, people misunderstand the directions or do not know what the officer is looking for. The field tests most commonly administered by officers are approved by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) for the investigation of drunk driving cases.

On the follow the penlight with the eyes test, (HGN) the officer is looking for an involuntary jerking of the eyes known as horizontal gaze nystagmus. You cannot feel this.

On the one leg stand test, the officer is looking for four clues, putting the foot down before 30-1000, hopping, swaying, and raising the arms more than six inches.

On the walk and turn test, the officer is looking for eight clues, whether the person started before the instructions were complete, was unable to stand with one foot in front of the other while being instructed, failed to touch heel to toe on every step, failed to stay on the line, stopped walking, raised arms more than 6 inches, took the wrong number of steps, or turned improperly.

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