Summarised by Centrist
The number of people discharged without conviction for drink driving rose from just 117 cases in 2014 to 1,028 last year. This is despite a stable number of charges being laid.
The sharp increase is raising concerns about the message it sends regarding the seriousness of drink-driving, especially as alcohol related road deaths have risen significantly over the past decade.
Judges can discharge a defendant without conviction if they believe the consequences of a conviction would be disproportionately severe. Recent cases include a young woman in Invercargill who flipped her car after drinking but was discharged without conviction due to her remorse and the impact a conviction could have on her future career.
Acting Chief District Court Judge Jacquelyn Moran defended the independence of judges, stating that they decide cases based on the specific facts and law without external influence.
AA Road Safety spokesperson Dylan Thomsen expressed surprise at the steep rise, questioning the rationale behind so many discharges. “For the vast majority of people going before the courts for drink-driving, that’s a serious offence, so we wouldn’t expect to see large numbers discharged without conviction,” he said.
