GJ was charged with driving with excess breath alcohol. She was assisted by Ciara, pleaded guilty early in the proceedings and applied for a discharge without conviction.
At sentencing, Ciara argued the impact of a conviction on GJ would be out of all proportion to the gravity of the offence. On the day of the incident, GJ was responding to a distressed call from a family member, was stopped by Police and returned an alcohol-breath reading of 584 mcg.
The impact of a conviction on GJ was that she and her family would lose a critical source of income. GJ had also engaged with various courses and completed community work to atone for the wrongdoing.
The matter was opposed by Police Prosecutions but GJ’s application was successful and a discharge without conviction was granted.