BURNETT COUNTY -- The Court has sentenced Morris Bearhart for a conviction on an amended charge of operating while intoxicated 9th offense.
DrydenWire previously reported that Bearhart was charged following a traffic stop in December 2020 when he was arrested by the Burnett County Sheriff’s Office for operating while intoxicated 11th offense.
On December 18, 2020, Bearhart’s vehicle was pulled over in the Village of Webster for exceeding the posted speed limit and operating the vehicle left of the centerline. According to a press release from the Burnett County Sheriff’s Office, the Deputy noticed an odor of intoxicants, slurred speech, and Bearhart also admitted to consuming intoxicating beverages. Bearhart was requested to conduct Standardized Field Sobriety Tests and subsequently failed.
Online court records show that Bearhart appeared recently in Burnett County Circuit Court regarding his charges and the Court sentenced him on a conviction of 9th offense OWI, amended from 10th+ Offense. Details as to the reason for the amendment were not listed in online records, however, the Court granted the amendment to the charge at a hearing in October 2021 following a joint recommendation from the parties, and the remaining charges against Bearhart were dismissed but read-in.
Burnett County District Attorney’s Office and Defense Counsel for Bearhart provided the Court with their joint sentencing recommendation for 3 years of initial confinement in state prison. The State argued further for 5 years of extended supervision following the period of confinement. Defense Counsel argued for 3 years of extended supervision.
The Hon. John P. Anderson ordered Bearhart to serve an 8-year sentence with 3 years of initial confinement, followed by 5 years of extended supervision. Bearhart received credit for 227 days served in confinement.
Conditions of extended supervision will require Bearhart to maintain absolute sobriety, complete an alcohol and other drug assessment with follow-through, and any counseling recommended by the Department of Corrections. Bearhart was also ordered to pay over $1,300 in court costs.
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Last Update: Mar 18, 2022 10:54 am CDT
