Jurate Demeritt

Name:
Demeritt, Jurate

Date of Booking:
04/30/2026

Reason(s) For Booking:
IMPROPER USE OF CENTRAL TURN LANE

POSSESSION OF OPEN ALCOHOL CONTAINER

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.]

[NARRATIVE #1 on April 30, 2026]

On 04/30/2026, at approximately 1946 hours, I, Ofc. Schoenholz, responded to Ofc. Swinehart’s traffic stop.

Upon arrival, I observed a female, later identified as Jurate Demeritt, seated in the driver’s seat of a white Chrysler 300. The driver’s door was open, and one of her legs was outside the vehicle. She began to exit the vehicle but was instructed to remain inside. I approached the vehicle and instructed Demeritt to set her dog down. I observed that her eyes were bloodshot and watery, and I detected the odor of an alcoholic beverage emanating from the vehicle.

When I asked what was going on, she kept her mouth tightly closed, which is consistent with an attempt to conceal the odor of an alcoholic beverage. She responded in slurred speech that she was traveling from TJ Maxx to RaceTrac. When asked why she was driving in that manner, she stated she needed to get to RaceTrac quickly so her dog could use the restroom.

I asked Demeritt to step out of the vehicle and escorted her to the rear of the vehicle to conduct Standardized Field Sobriety Tests (SFSTs). While standing with her, I continued to detect the odor of an alcoholic beverage emanating from her breath.

I asked Demeritt if she wore contact lenses or glasses or had experienced any recent head trauma. She stated she did not wear corrective lenses and had not suffered any head injuries. When asked about any neck, back, or leg injuries that might affect her ability to walk, she stated she had none.

I first administered the Horizontal Gaze Nystagmus (HGN) test. I instructed Demeritt to stand with her feet together and her hands at her sides, keep her head still, and follow the tip of my finger with her eyes only. She indicated she understood the instructions.

I held the stimulus approximately 1215 inches from her face and slightly above eye level. I observed equal pupil size and equal tracking in both eyes.

During the HGN test, I observed the following clues in both eyes:

Lack of smooth pursuit
Distinct nystagmus at maximum deviation

Demeritt had to be repeatedly instructed to follow the stimulus, as she continued to divert her gaze to my face instead of the stimulus.

I then administered the Walk-and-Turn test. Instructions were provided, and she indicated she understood them.

During the instructional phase, the following clues were observed:

Could not maintain balance
Started too soon (twice), requiring instruction to return to the starting position

During the walking phase, the following clues were observed:

Stopped while walking
Failed to touch heel-to-toe
Stepped off the line
Used arms for balance
Made an improper turn
Took an incorrect number of steps

Demeritt had to be instructed to count out loud. After reaching the eighth step, she stopped and looked at me. I instructed her to continue, and she then took nine steps back.

I then administered the One-Leg Stand test. Instructions were provided, and she indicated she understood them.

During the One-Leg Stand test, the following clues were observed:

Swayed while balancing
Put her foot down

She did not count out loud during the test.

I asked Demeritt if she would consent to a Preliminary Breath Test (PBT), and she agreed. The PBT indicated a BAC of 0.0968.

I then turned over the investigation to Ofc. Swinehart.

[End of Narrative]

[NARRATIVE #2 on April 30, 2026]

On 30 April 2026, at approximately 1945 hours, I, Officer Swinehart, #214, was patrolling the area of 385 at the TJ. MAXX entrance, exit when I observed a white Chrysler 300 pull out quickly and drive in the center lane down to the entrance of racetrac which is more than 300 feet, then pull in quickly. I engaged my emergency lights and conducted a stop.

I observe the driver open the door but she did not exit the vehicle at this time. As I approached the driver later identified as Jurate Demeritt, I observed her eyes watery, and blood shot red. I could smell the odor of an adult alcoholic beverage coming from her breathe. I advised her the reason for the stop which she stated she already knew the reason. I asked for her driver’s license which she provided.

At approximately 1946, I requested Officer Schoenholz, #215, to assist. Ofc. Schoenholz arrived and I advised her I could smell the odor of an alcoholic beverage coming from Demeritt and she went and spoke with her. Officer Schoenholz agreed about the odor and asked Demeritt to step out of the vehicle and she agreed. She then asked her if she was willing to do some evaluations and she agreed. Officer Schoenholz advised based on the evaluations she determined that Demeritt was under the influence and not safe to drive.

At approximately 1959 hours, I advised Demeritt she was under arrest for a suspected DUI and to turn around, and place her hands behind her back. I placed her in handcuffs to the rear, checking for proper fitness, then double locking them. She was searched incident to arrest. I escorted her to the rear of my patrol car with a safety belt in place for safe transport. I read her Georgia Implied Consent Notice for suspects age 21 or over, and she agreed to give a sample of her blood.

I requested next list to come get the vehicle which was Cantrell’s towing. A friend of Demeritt picked up her dog. I searched the vehicle and found in the front center console a dark blue in color stanley type cup that had a clear liquid inside that smell like an adult alcoholic beverage, and under the driver seat was a silver can with black and yellow writing on it that was a four loco, tropical flavored adult beverage with an alcohol contain of 12% that was empty.

Officer Schoenholz agreed to stay with the vehicle until the tow truck arrived while I transported Demeritt to the Northeast Georgia Hospital in Demorest for the blood draw. At approximately 2026 hours, I transport her to the hospital and we arrived at 2030 hours. At approximately 2035 hours, we walked into the lab for the blood draw and Demeritt said “lets just leave” and I asked her if she is refusing to give blood at this time, and she said “yes”.

I placed her back in the rear of my patrol car with a safety belt in place for safe transport. Demeritt was turned over to jail staff without incident.

[End of Narrative]