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Friday, November 16, 2007
Ind. Courts - More on "Terre Haute Attorney Arrested"
Updating this ILB entry from Oct. 23rd, the Terre Haute Tribune Star reports today:
A former Vigo County deputy prosecutor has pleaded guilty to operating a vehicle while intoxicated and failure to stop after an accident resulting in non-vehicle damage.William W. Earls, 39, pleaded guilty to both counts on Wednesday under terms of a plea agreement in Putnam County Circuit Court. The case is in Vigo Superior Court Division 5, but because Earls is a former Vigo County prosecutor, Special Judge Matthew Headly was appointed after Judge Barbara Brugnaux recused herself.
As part of the plea agreement, Earls’ jail time will be suspended and he will be placed on formal probation. * * *
On Wednesday, Earls pleaded guilty to Count 1, operating a vehicle while intoxicated, a class-A misdemeanor, and Count 3, failure to stop after an accident resulting in non-vehicle damage, a class-B misdemeanor, according to the plea agreement.
The prosecution recommended Earls serve 365 days in the Vigo County Jail for Count 1 and 180 days for Count 3, to be served concurrent with one another, but the sentence will be suspended and he’ll be put on probation instead.
According to the plea agreement, Earls must also report to the Robert Howard Brown Alcohol and Drug Program where he may be subject to random drug screens. He also must abide by all recommendations the Judges and Lawyers Assistance Program makes; perform 180 hours of community service; and provide proof of insurance at the time of the incident and make restitution to Duke Energy and Verizon.
Earls was given the option of attending an intensive recovery program in Atlanta, Ga., which costs $14,000 a month to attend, according to Chief Deputy Prosecutor Rob Roberts. If he is unable to attend the program, an ignition interlock device will be installed on his vehicle for 180 days after the completion of his 90-day license suspension program, the plea agreement stated.
He also agreed to random urinalysis through the Adult Probation Department and pay $200 to the court clerk for an alcohol countermeasure fee.
Earls, who runs his own private law practice in Terre Haute, worked in the prosecutor’s office starting Jan. 1, 2006. He resigned in September.
Posted by Marcia Oddi on November 16, 2007 08:24 AM
Posted to Indiana Courts