The DUI Stop & Field Sobriety

What is the officer's dash cam or body cam going to show?

Attorney-Reviewed Answer
Reviewed by Christopher Walsh, Criminal Trial Attorney (Fla. Bar #127459). Last reviewed: September 2026
Short Answer
Usually more than the report describes — and frequently something different from it.

The report is a narrative written after the fact by someone who had already concluded you were impaired. The video is a recording made during. They diverge more often than you'd expect, and that divergence is among the most useful things in a DUI defense.

What video regularly shows that reports omit: clear speech in a report describing slurring, steady walking to the rear of the vehicle, a sloped or gravel surface where the exercises were performed, instructions given incorrectly or too quickly, an observation period shorter than claimed, and the actual phrasing of requests and warnings.

Things worth knowing about the footage itself. Cameras have pre-event buffers that may capture moments before activation. Audio sometimes begins later than video. And multiple officers mean multiple angles — not all of which are produced unless someone asks specifically.

Ask for every camera from every officer, not just the arresting officer's. ---

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This page answers a common question for general informational purposes and is not legal advice, and no attorney-client relationship is formed by reading it. Florida law changes; while this answer is reviewed by a licensed Florida attorney, the right answer depends on the specific facts of your situation — consult an attorney. Serving Martin, St. Lucie, Palm Beach, Indian River, and Okeechobee Counties.