WEST BRANCH, Mich. -- A judge from Detroit was arrested while allegedly driving drunk in Mid-Michigan.

A Michigan State Police laboratory report revealed the judge’s blood alcohol level was at 0.23 percent. That is nearly three times greater than the accepted level of 0.08.

An audio tape of the arrest has been released in the case, and below is a transcript of a conversation between 39th District Court Judge Catherine Steenland and a Michigan State Police trooper from West Branch.

Judge: "My reputation is on the line."

Trooper: "Absolutely it is."

Judge: "I mean, I don't do that."

Trooper: "Well, I'm just concerned 'cause it's pretty obvious that you've been drinking."

Judge: "ABCD-."

Judge: "One, two-I don't know if I can do this sober!"

Trooper: "OK."

Trooper: "I'd like to ask you to take one more test, which is the preliminary breath test, just to see how much alcohol is in your system."

The officer came upon the judge after she had tried to turn around in a driveway but backed up too far and wound up in a ditch.

The judge ended up taking a plea, which cost her $950 in fines and court costs.

Steenland will be on probation for the next five months while completing an alcohol highway safety program.

She was back in an Ogemaw County courtroom Wednesday to receive a restricted driver’s license.