The Alphabet test is a standard field sobriety test that is commonly given
by Massachusetts police in DUI stops. According to Massachusetts police field
sobriety test training, the alphabet should only be given as a "pre-exit" test,
before getting out of the car, though it is frequently administered contrary to
that training.
Now I'm going to ask you some questions about Mr. __________ reciting the
alphabet.
You were trained how to perform the alphabet test at the Police Academy.
You were taught it is a pre-exit sobriety test.
It is a simple test.
It is not as reliable as the more structured, formal roadside tests.
You are a trained police officer.
You are an experienced police officer.
It's been your training and experience that people are sometimes nervous
after you've pulled them over.
This is true even if when they haven't done anything wrong.
And you asked him to step out of the car.
It has been your training and experience that people are nervous when you
ask them to step out of the car.
You asked him to recite the alphabet.
You understood every letter that he recited.
He missed some letters.
You didn't ask him if he was nervous.
You didn't ask him why he missed the letters.
You didn't ask him if he missed the letters because he was nervous.
It was nighttime.
It was dark.
There were cars whizzing by on the road.
The blue lights were flashing.
You didn't ask him if he missed the letters because he was distracted.
