Former Justice Minister Kiri Allan pleaded guilty just before her trial was due to start and was convicted of two charges of careless driving and refusing to accompany police.
Allan did not appear in Wellington District Court on Wednesday, nor was she required to, but her lawyer Christopher Stevenson confirmed the new pleas.
The former East Coast MP originally denied the charges and earlier told the NZ Herald she wanted to test an apparent grey area in the law about the right to consult a lawyer.
Judge Brooke Gibson convicted Kiri Allan on both charges, fining her $300 for the careless driving charge and ordered her to pay $5296 in reparations. On the other charge, of refusing to accompany police, she was convicted and discharged.
In July, Allan was charged with careless driving and refusing to accompany a police officer after allegedly crashing into a parked car on Evans Bay Parade. An infringement notice was also issued for excess breath alcohol of 335mg.
Judge Gibson said Allan had a previous drink driving conviction from "some 20 years ago" but that was not a factor for sentencing.
Judge Gibson said Allan sought discharge without conviction.
"I accept there have been significant consequences in terms of the impact the accident and the subsequent charges has had on her career," Judge Gibson said.
"A conviction will not add to those consequences.
"She may be embarrassed as a result of having a conviction, but the facts of the matter are widely known... and the penalty that will be imposed for it is hardly likely to signal to anyone that the matter was particularly serious."
