Young lawyer let off on cocaine charge after the magistrate noticed his character reference was from a top retired judge

• e-mail

A young lawyer has avoided a conviction for cocaine possession after getting a character reference from a prominent retired judge.

James Cowled, who is a judge's associate at the Federal Circuit Court of Australia, pleaded guilty to the charge after he was caught with a bag of cocaine on March 26, News Corp reported.

The 31-year-old came close to ruining his career but was let off after Magistrate Lisa Stapleton noticed the reference had come from retired Federal Circuit Court Judge Michael Lloyd-Jones.

James Cowled, 31, (right) pictured with his former boss Federal Circuit Court Judge Michael Lloyd-Jones

'You were found in possession of cocaine. If the person says this was out of character for you they don't know you very well so why shouldn't I convict you of this offence?' she questioned.

He replied by telling her he was a judge's associate, and the magistrate then asked to see the letter.

Magistrate Stapleton told Cowled that working 'in the justice system doesn’t mean you have to have higher standards than everyone else, the law applies equally'.

Appearing in court this week, the Sydney lawyer revealed he was embarrassed when he told his former mentor about the cocaine charge. 

He came close to losing his career but was let off after magistrate noticed his reference was from a top judge

'I must say telling my former judge was one of the most difficult things I've done in my life,' he said.

Judge Lloyd-Jones retired from the Federal Circuit Court last year and Cowled has since worked for another judge, who was not aware of his drug offence. 

Cowled avoided conviction and was given a 12 month good behaviour bond.