Harper

THOMASVILLE — A woman who was late to court and appeared to be intoxicated was arrested and sentenced to a 24-hour jail stint.

Tracy Harper was late to Thomas County Superior Court arraignments Monday morning, said Capt. Steven Jones, Thomas County Sheriff’s Office public information officer.

Harper was to be arraigned by Judge James E. Hardy in the Jail-Justice Center courtroom adjacent to the Thomas County Jail. Harper’s arraignment was on charges of methamphetamine possession and drug-related object.

“She showed up almost an hour late,” said Jones, who was on duty in the courtroom at the time of the incident.

Jones said that when 47-year-old Harper went to the front of the courtroom to talk to the judge and an assistant district attorney about why she was late, a strong odor of alcohol was detected.

“She was very unsteady on her feet,” Jones said. “Her words were slurred.”

The officer said Harper told court officials she drank three beers the night before. 

“She said they were big ones,” Jones added.

Hardy sent Harper to the nearby jail to be tested for blood-alcohol content. Harper refused the test, Jones said.

She was returned to the courtroom, where Hardy sentenced her to 24 hours in jail. Harper was released Tuesday morning.

Jones, who took Harper into custody, said her drug case will be scheduled for a jury trial unless she enters a plea.

Senior reporter Patti Dozier can be reached at (229) 226-2400, ext. 1820