Traverse City's mayor will serve 18 months of probation for drinking and driving. Michael Estes was sentenced today. His probation will include alcohol and drug screenings and attending 12-step meetings three times a week.
Grand Traverse County Prosecutor Bob Kooney says requirements like the 12-step meetings make the sentence more restrictive than what is typical is for a first-time offense.
"Also, an 18 month probation is a longer period of time than typical," says Kooney. "What we normally see on a first offense is 12 months."
Judge Michael Stepka took into consideration a reckless driving conviction that was almost 20 years old. Prosecutors were not aware of the conviction at first because it did not appear in the records they had. Kooney says he first read about it in the Traverse City Record-Eagle.
The Mayor has refused to speak about the incident other than to acknowledge his guilt.
