Ellsworth man avoids jail, with catch

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Pepin/Buffalo Circuit Court Judge James Duvall gave James Leonard a rare opportunity Tuesday in Pierce County Circuit Court.

The 19-year-old Ellsworth native was being sentenced for two counts of burglary and one of the options recommended to the judge was six months of jail as a probation condition.

Instead, Duvall gave Leonard the option to avoid jail completely, but Leonard will have to do some work.

Duvall ordered Leonard to meet with him monthly for the next 12 months, and he’ll basically ask him three questions--what is your job status, what is your community service project (Leonard was given 25 hours a month for the next year) and are you staying sober.

Duvall told Leonard, if he doesn’t like what he hears, he’s getting 10 days jail. If he does, “we will see you next month,” the judge told him.

“Which way your future goes, is up to you,” Duvall said.

Leonard was put on probation for four years, with other conditions being completing an alcohol and drug assessment, participate in random drug screens and cooperate with any counseling the agent requires. Restitution amount will be determined at a later date.

For more please read the Feb. 6 print version of the Herald.

Tags: news, crime, courts, wisconsin, ellsworth