Man's eighth DUI leads to 10-year sentence
POLSON — A 48-year-old Pablo man was sent back to jail for 10 years during Lake County District Court last Wednesday after getting pulled over an eighth time for driving intoxicated.
Bradley Noble was pulled over on July 13, 2011 after his erratic driving caught the attention of Polson police officers. The man had seven prior lifetime DUIs and is considered a persistent felony offender.
“His reoccurring issues make him a threat to the community,” Noble’s probation officer wrote in a report in court documents “This latest is his eighth DUI. Unfortunately, it only requires one instance of this type of behavior to cause an accident or harm other motorists. Lake County has seen more than its share of DUI-related deaths and given the constant negative publicity toward drinking and driving as well as the available counseling, out-patient chemical dependency treatment and support groups, there is no excuse for the defendant’s choice to drink and drive once more. Not to mention the fact that he knew he could go back to prison if he were caught.”
Noble was sentenced for his seventh DUI in January of 2002 and was sentenced to 20 years in jail with five suspended. He had two other cases at the time and was given suspended sentences for those.
In June 2004, he was granted parole but was back in jail on June 8, 2006 because of parole violations. On Sept. 27, 2006 he was discharged from the Montana State Prison and returned to Lake County.
In his latest violation, court documents said that he was consuming alcohol at the KwaTaqNuk and operating a vehicle without authorization from his probation officer or use of an ignition interlock system.
“The defendant has been caught driving a motor vehicle on at least four occasions since Sept. 27, 2006,” the probation officers report read. “He has been caught in possession or under the influence of alcohol on at least two occasions and caught frequenting a bar on at least two occasions.”
Noble’s probation officer did note that he made a significant effort towards positive change in his life. The officer said in court documents that he enrolled in SKC and appeared focused on his school work.
“The defendant had a positive attitude regarding his probation and reported regularly as required,” the report read. “His choices on July 13, 2011 were unexpected given his seemingly genuine commitment to sobriety.”
Noble was sentenced to the Montana State Prison for a term of 15 years with five suspended and he will receive credit for the time he has served while incarcerated. As suggested by his probation officer, he will not be eligible for parole until he successfully completes the WATCH or Pre-Release program.