Syracuse, NY -- A Family Court judge nearly sent evicted son Michael Rotondo to jail today after he refused to sign paperwork related to his back child support.

Michael Rotondo, 31, who made international headlines in May for being evicted from his parents' Camillus house, came to court today after being found guilty of willfully refusing to pay child support for his 8-year-old son.

He owes $55 a week but has not voluntarily made any payments since March. The court's collection bureau got permission to raid Rotondo's bank account and intercepted his tax refunds. That paid for nearly all of the back child support, minus a few hundred dollars.

Family Court Judge Julie Cecile said today she would sentence Rotondo to probation for a year. He refused. Cecile said his other choice was 30 days in jail.

"What if I accept neither?" the unemployed man wondered.

"Then I will take you in, and you will be doing 30 days" in jail, the judge replied.

"Then I choose probation," Rotondo replied.

It could be a hard road for the evicted man, who has most recently been living on Syracuse's East Side. A month ago, he was getting free rent in exchange for doing odd chores for the homeowner, according to a New York Post video. Probation will force him to get a job, pay his back and future child support and put restrictions on his life.

Rotondo's biggest objection? He won't be able to go to a bar while on probation.

"The only socializing I do is at a bar," Rotondo protested.

"The whole point is that the money you're spending at a bar should be going toward your child," the judge replied.

That's when Rotondo revealed his favorite hangout: Mello Velo, off Erie Boulevard East at Walnut Avenue.

Mello Velo: Syracuse bike shop/cafe/bar relocates to bigger, more visible space. 24 Gallery: Mello Velo: Syracuse bike shop/cafe/bar relocates to bigger, more visible space.

It's not really a bar, Rotondo explained. It serves alcohol, but it's also a bicycle shop and restaurant.

Cecile relented. Mello Velo was fine, she ruled, writing the business's name as an exception to Rotondo's probation conditions.

"If you're able to socialize at Melo Vello, I think that's great," the judge said.

Where else?

How about Al's Wine and Whiskey Lounge? Rotondo asked. No, the judge replied, to the Armory Square institution.

She cut off the debate there, noting that this wasn't an episode of Let's Make a Deal.

What if I get a job at a bar? Rotondo wondered. Talk to probation, the judge replied.

Rotondo also protested a restriction on him owning firearms. He has a rifle, he noted. The judge refused to lift that restriction.

Rotondo's driver's license was also suspended by probation. Can I get that back? he asked the judge.

Start paying child support and we'll see, she replied.

The judge ended the back-and-forth with a public wish that Rotondo get his act together. If he gets a job and pays his $55 a week, he'll probably be off probation early, she noted.

"Rest assured, I am going to comply with probation," Rotondo replied.

It's more than that, she pressed. If Rotondo doesn't comply, he'll be back in court and could be facing jail.

"Any other questions?" Cecile asked.

"This is outrageous," Rotondo said as he walked out of the courtroom.