Jane Kathryn Hands, 38, of Hamilton Street, Eglinton appeared before magistrate Catherine Follent in Bathurst Local Court on Monday.

Hands' solicitor Emma Mason told the court of her client's personal issues at the time she was arrested.

Ms Mason conceded Hands' blood alcohol level of 0.171 was clearly a high reading, aggravated by the fact there were children in the car.

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She said her client had pleaded guilty at the first opportunity, was of good character and was well engaged in the community. Ms Mason also said her client had significant health issues.

The court heard Hands had started misusing alcohol late last year as a way of coping with the stress in her life.

Ms Mason said her client came before the court with a clear criminal record and driving history, was "frightfully embarrassed" by her conduct and "had great prospects of rehabilitation". She had already reached out for help and made changes in her life.

Police facts handed to the court told how on January 22 this year, Hands was stopped by police who were undertaking random breath testing in Vittoria Street.

When police approached the car they saw Hands behind the wheel and three young children in the car.

Hands was asked if she had consumed any alcohol and told police: "No, I haven't had any drink in years. I don't drink as I have epilepsy."

However, Hands' roadside breath test produced a positive result.

She was subjected to a second roadside breath test which also produced a positive result and still the accused was adamant she had consumed no alcohol.

Hands was afforded a 10-minute period for any mouth alcohol to dissipate before the third test also returned a positive result.

She was arrested and taken to Bathurst police station where she underwent a breath analysis that recorded a reading of 0.171.

In relation to her drinking, Hands again told police she'd had "no alcohol whatsoever" and when offered the services of a doctor she became hostile.

In sentencing, Ms Follent noted Hands' early plea of guilt but said the fact there were children in the car had increased her moral culpability.

Ms Follent noted Hands was under a considerable amount of personal stress at the time of her arrest but while that stress placed context around the offending behaviour, it did not excuse it.

Ms Follent placed Hands on an 18-month community corrections order, fined her $1200, disqualified her from driving for six months and placed her on a two-year interlock order.