West Point City Councilwoman Judy Wilkinson was found guilty in Columbus Recorder’s Court on Wednesday morning of violating the city’s alcohol ordinance.

She was given a sentence of 30 days’ probation but wasn’t given a fine.

Her attorney, Benjamin Wilcox, said he and his client will appeal the case in state court, which is expected to take five to six weeks.

“I guess we’re appealing the 21st Amendment, which repealed prohibition,” Wilcox said. “Columbus wants to bring back prohibition.

A separate state charge Wilkinson faces for violating the state alcohol ordinance has yet to be heard in state court in Columbus. Wilkinson also has a complaint pending against Columbus police.

The incident would not have been an issue had it happened in LaGrange and Hogansville.

“Businesses have receptions and parties in LaGrange all the time,” said LaGrange City Manager Tom Hall.

City rules allow for such events as long as minors aren’t being served and alcohol isn’t being sold.

“It’s considered part of the quiet enjoyment and use of the business,” Hall said.

Hogansville City Manager Bill Stankiewicz said Hogansville has a similar policy. At least two recent business openings in the city have included alcohol, Stankiewicz said, including Clemens and Company Art and Books, which is owned by Councilman Jack Leidner.

West Point city attorney Larry Nix said he wasn’t sure how West Point’s ordinances address such an issue and hasn’t been asked by the city to research it.

“It hasn’t come up,” Nix said, although he admitted council likely will ask for clarification soon.

Wilkinson, 41, who owns Formal Elegance on Veterans Parkway in Columbus, was arrested Saturday and charged with violating local and state liquor laws. Police said six officers showed up at the store to perform a “business check” after receiving a complaint that alcohol was being served.

Police say Wilkinson “offered and had an employee serve a mimosa,” a mixture of orange juice and champagne, without having an alcohol license for the business. Wilcox said the city ordinance allows alcohol to be served as long as it isn’t sold.

Wilcox said his client specifically asked about being able to serve alcohol when she renewed her business license this year. Wilkinson picked up the application, then took it back to ask a clerk if she should check a box on the form asking if she’d be selling or consuming alcohol, her attorney said. The clerk told Wilkinson not to bother checking the box, even when she explained the type of event she’d be hosting, Wilcox said.

Proceedings against Wilkinson began Monday in Recorder’s Court on the local charge. The state charge will be handled in State Court.

Wilkinson, re-elected to council Nov. 3, has referred all inquiries on the incident to Wilcox. Wilcox said Wilkinson has filed a formal complaint with Columbus police due to the circumstances of her arrest. The complaint will be dealt with once the Recorder’s Court proceedings are done.

Jennifer Shrader may be reached at jshrader@lagrangenews.com or at (706) 884-7311, Ext. 236.