During which phase of a field sobriety test does the officer decide to arrest?

The officer decides to arrest during the third phase of a field sobriety test, which is fundamentally focused on the decision-making process following the initial assessments. By this point, the officer has already conducted preliminary observations for signs of impairment and performed specific coordination tests.

During this phase, the officer reviews all the information gathered and evaluates the results of the previous phases. If the signs of impairment are significant and the performance on the sobriety tests indicates a level of intoxication that violates legal limits, the officer concludes that an arrest is warranted. This phase is critical because it hinges on the culmination of evidence observed, including behavior, physical indicators, and performance on field tests, allowing the officer to make an informed decision about whether to proceed with an arrest for driving under the influence. This is the point at which the assessments translate into actionable law enforcement decisions.