Smell of booze turns court trip into jail time

When showing up in court on a DUI charge, it’s best not to show up with alcohol on your breath.

Lauren Nicole Smith, 28, of Milton was ordered to Municipal Court on Friday on a DUI charge. It seems that on Sept. 12, Milton police found her parked in the middle of the road at Ga. 9 and Bethany Bend Road, so drunk she couldn’t figure out how to open her car door. She had a blood-alcohol level of .34. The legal limit for driving is .08.

Friday, her trouble started upon arrival at court. She showed up on time, 10 a.m., but during a routine check for weapons at the door, bailiff George Gordon detected a whiff of alcohol, a definite no-no.

The law says you can’t take a plea from somebody who may be intoxicated. After a short conversation with Municipal Court Judge Barry Zimmerman, his honor issued a bench warrant citing her on the spot for contempt of court. Milton police then took her to the Alpharetta City Jail to serve a two-day sentence.

Her DUI case was continued to a court date in June.