A city councilman will stay in jail for now. Councilman John Lightfoot will be in the Monroe County Jail for at least a week for reportedly violating his probation. This stems from a DWI case in the summer of 2007.

Sources told News 10NBC the probation violation occured when Lightfoot failed a test on his ignition interlock device that is attached to his car. (An ignition interlock device is a mechanism that is installed in a vehicle’s dashboard. It works like a Breathalyzer – you breathe into the device and it measures your breath alcohol content. If your BAC is over a certain amount, the vehicle will not start.)
 
Lightfoot was arraigned Tuesday morning where he pled not guilty. Many opinions surround City Councilman John Lightfoot's battle with alcoholism.

City Councilman Adam McFadden said, “We have people in elected positions with DWI's on their record, we have elected officials who drink and no one is asking any of them to step down.”

Rochester Mayor Bob Duffy said, “Given my previous experience career as a retired police chief, I think you can guess where I stand on issues such as this.”

“Certainly I think even if you are a public figure you should be held to almost a higher standard,” Assistant District Attorney Perry Duckles said. “The law treats everyone equally, but certainly when you're out there, you should be a model of the community.”

But A.D.A. Duckles said this isn't why Lightfoot is being held with no bail and no release. It's because Lightfoot was on probation for a DWI in July of 2007, and he violated that probation.
 
But family members and fellow councilmember Adam McFadden say Lightfoot is suffering from alcoholism and needs help not jail.

“He should've walked out that door,” McFadden said.

And as for Lightfoot himself, his attorney Thomas DeSimon said, “I can tell you he's disappointed that he was not released.”

Until the attorneys and judge come to a resolution DeSimon said Lightfoot will stay in jail.

Lightfoot’s cousin, Willie Lightfoot said, “Just like any person with a disease or a sickness we're going to stand by our family member and support him towards his recovery.”

Family members don't think Lightfoot will step down from his city council seat. If found guilty, he could face up to a year in jail.

Click here to read a statement from Willie Lightfoot regarding Councilman John Lightfoot.

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