What can the court do with your field notes in a DUI case?

In a DUI case, the court can subpoena field notes as evidence, which means that those notes can be required by the court to be presented as part of the legal proceedings. Field notes are a crucial element of documentation, as they may contain observations, measurements, and other pertinent information recorded by law enforcement during the traffic stop and arrest. These notes can provide insight into the circumstances surrounding the arrest, such as the behavior of the driver, field sobriety test results, and any interactions that occurred.

Using field notes as evidence can establish a clearer picture of the events leading to the DUI charges and may influence the outcome of the case. The contents of these notes can be critical in corroborating or contesting testimonies and other forms of evidence presented in court. This availability of field notes under lawful subpoena emphasizes the importance of accurate and thorough documentation by law enforcement during DUI investigations.