A Goulburn woman has avoided conviction after testing mid-range for drink-driving the morning after a night out with friends.
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Courtney Daisy Puckett, 21, of May Street, Goulburn, appeared before Goulburn Local Court on November 18 for mid-range drink-driving.
It was presented to the court that on October 25, 2020 Puckett was pulled over by police at Wollogorang on the Hume Highway while travelling from Canberra. A Random Breath Test conducted by police returned a Blood Alcohol Concentration reading of 0.082. The court heard that Puckett had consumed alcohol until 1am the night before with friends.
Solicitor Sam Rowland spoke in defense of his client. He said Puckett had a "significant degree of remorse and embarrassment" about the offence.
Mr Rowland said his client was not speeding or driving erratically at the time. He said Puckett had waited "several hours [that] morning" before driving. The solicitor told the court that Puckett had "learnt her lesson" and had been impacted by the loss of her licence. He said Puckett had to walk 1.5 hours home from work each day.
Magistrate Geraldine Beattie took Puckett's early guilty plea into account. She said drink-driving was a really serious offence because "people die from it".
"Yet, despite it being so serious people still drink drive," Magistrate Beattie said.
"It's not illegal to drink but if you do, you won't be able to drive for a while."
The magistrate said Puckett was not likely to re-offend and had completed a Traffic Offender's Course.
"[The offence was] a mistake you've cured with education," she said.
A conviction was not recorded and Puckett received a two-year Conditional Release Order (CRO). A CRO can be issued for first time and less serious offences where the offender is unlikely to present a risk to the community.