Although she consumed only two alcoholic shots while out with friends, that was enough for Wynter Dawn Hoffman to attract the attention of police while driving home.
Hoffman, 32, appeared in Moose Jaw provincial court on March 16, where she pleaded guilty to having a blood alcohol content (BAC) level over the legal limit of .08. As part of a joint submission, she received a fine of $1,000 with six months to pay and lost her licence for one year.
The Crown stayed a charge of impaired driving.
Moose Jaw police were on patrol on Feb. 9 around 3:35 a.m. when they noticed a vehicle drive south on Main Street at 80 kilometres per hour in a 50 km/h zone, explained Crown prosecutor Rob Parker. Police caught up to the vehicle and conducted a traffic stop, where they found an open beer can behind the passenger’s seat.
Hoffman had flushed red cheeks and had the faint smell of alcohol coming from her, he continued. She denied that the beer was hers. Police conducted a breath test on Hoffman; both readings came back at .10, or slightly more than the legal limit.
Defence lawyer Estes Fonkalsrud told Judge Brian Hendrickson that Hoffman acknowledged driving that day and was surprised that her readings were over the legal limit. She had consumed two shots earlier in the evening but did not drink in the vehicle. She had been driving friends home and the beer belonged to them.
“It’s unfortunate circumstances. She certainly is accepting responsibility as well … . She was polite and co-operative with the police,” Fonkalsrud said, adding she has no criminal record.
Hoffman has limited financial means to pay her fine since she was injured in a previous accident and is receiving compensation from Saskatchewan Government Insurance, he added. She also faces additional hardship since she has kids and will not be able to drive them for the next year.
Judge Hendrickson accepted the joint submission. He waived applying the victim surcharge of 30 per cent, which would have added an extra $300 to Hoffman’s main fine.
Moose Jaw provincial court next meets on March 18.
