Courtney Mendoza

Name:
Mendoza, Courtney Amber

Date of Booking:
01/11/2026

Reason(s) For Booking:
DISORDERLY CONDUCT-CORNELIA CITY ORDINANCE

DUI REFUSAL

Officer’s Narrative:
[Please note: The following is a direct transcription from the official initial incident report. The Georgia Gazette does not fix any spelling or grammatical errors that may exist. Any changes or redactions made by our staff are placed inside brackets. Some errors may exist. All subjects are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. The topics discussed may be sensitive to some readers. Discretion is advised.]

On 01/10/2026, at approximately 2350 hours, I, Officer Campbell #220, was conducting stationary patrol in the area of North Main Street. While on patrol, I observed a female subject in the parking lot of Big Daddy’s, located within the city limits of Cornelia, Georgia. This location is known for a high level of intoxication and drug activity.

I observed the female pull her pants completely down, exposing her genital area, and urinate beside her vehicle. I then relocated my patrol vehicle to the parking lot of Big Daddy’s in order to make contact with the female. As I was pulling into the parking lot, I noticed the vehicle associated with the female backing out of a parking space. I positioned my patrol vehicle in front of her vehicle to prevent it from leaving and made contact with the driver, later identified as Courtney Mendoza.

I asked Courtney to step out of the vehicle and walk to the rear of the vehicle with me. When Courtney opened the driver’s door, I detected the odor of an alcoholic beverage coming from inside the vehicle. I also observed three adult males and one additional female inside the vehicle.

I asked Courtney to walk to the passenger side of the vehicle, where I observed toilet paper/napkins on the ground and a large wet area consistent with urine. I asked Courtney to explain the wet area on the ground. Courtney initially asked, “What is that?” referring to a can on the ground. I then pointed out the toilet paper and the wet area and advised her that I had observed her pull her pants down and urinate. Courtney apologized and stated she was trying to hurry up and leave.

I asked Courtney why she did not use the restroom inside the establishment. She stated the bathroom was “nasty” and that the toilet water was all the way up. I asked her why she did not use another restroom downstairs or the men’s restroom while having one of the males stand outside the door. While speaking with Courtney, I detected the odor of an alcoholic beverage coming from her breath and observed that her eyes were red and glassy.

I asked Courtney how much alcohol she had consumed. She initially stated she had not really been drinking. When asked again, she stated she had not consumed any alcohol. I then asked Courtney to walk to the front of my patrol vehicle. I returned to my patrol car and ran her information through GCIC using my in-car laptop.

Upon returning, Courtney advised me that she was a teacher and that this incident could affect her job. I advised her that I could still smell the odor of alcohol coming from her breath. Courtney stated that the other occupants in the vehicle had been drinking. I advised her that she was separated from the vehicle and I could still detect the odor on her.

I informed Courtney that I wanted to conduct standardized field sobriety evaluations to ensure she was safe to operate a motor vehicle. Courtney stated that the evaluations were “made to make you fail.” I advised her that they were not designed to make someone fail and explained that I look for specific clues during the evaluations. Courtney stated she had previously completed field sobriety tests and was arrested for suspicion of DUI.

I asked Courtney if she would submit to a preliminary breath test (PBT), and she stated she did not want to do anything. I advised her that refusing both the evaluations and the PBT left my concern for DUI. I asked again if she would participate in the evaluations, and she again refused.

At that time, I placed Courtney under arrest. I instructed her to place her hands behind her back and placed her in handcuffs, checking for proper fit and double-locking them. Courtney was placed in the rear seat of my patrol vehicle. I then read her the Georgia Implied Consent Notice for suspects age 21 or over. After reading the notice, I asked Courtney if she would submit to the state-administered chemical test of her blood. Courtney verbally refused.

Officer Schoenholz #215 responded to assist and conducted a search of Courtney incident to arrest. Courtney requested that I retrieve her inhaler from her vehicle, which I did. Courtney was then transported to the Habersham County Jail and turned over to jail staff without further incident. Courtney’s vehicle was released to the front-seat passenger, whom I believed was not under the influence of alcohol.

Courtney was issued citations for DUI Refusal and Disorderly Conduct.

[End of Narrative]