Man sentenced for seventh DUI

By MEGAN STRICKLAND

for the Lake County Leader

Lake County District Judge James Manley sentenced a 41-year-old Polson man to five years with the Montana Department of Corrections for violating terms of probation in the latest of lengthy decades-long string of crimes and probation infractions associated with alcohol and drugs. 

During a revocation hearing on July 13 Joshua Lefthand apologized to the family of a man who he killed in a 1993 drunken driving incident. 

“What happened was an accident,” Lefthand said. 

That incident was his fourth DUI. Court documents say he went on to be convicted of three more DUIs. In 2008 he was sentenced to 16 years in Montana State Prison, with 11 suspended for driving under the influence as a persistent felony offender. 

He was granted parole in February 2012 and started the suspended portion of his sentence in 2013. Since 2012 he has been the subject of  multiple interventions and revocation hearings for allegations including driving without a license, abruptly disappearing and not reporting to probation officers as required, breaking his son’s jaws when the boy did not bring back proper change for a pack of cigarettes, and consuming methamphetamine. 

Despite the lengthy history, Lefthand’s attorney Edward Chester, Jr. requested that Lefthand be offered the opportunity to go to a private treatment center. 

Lefthand said that despite his history, he thought the treatment would benefit him. 

“I’m very proud of the fact that I didn’t turn back to alcohol,” Lefthand said after Manley noted that since his latest conviction, it appeared that Lefthand has not had any more drinking and driving problems. 

“I want to be a productive member of society,” Lefthand said. “I can be successful out there.” 

Prosecutor James Lapotka said he did not think another shot at treatment would make much difference. 

“The defendant has failed over and over again,” Lapotka said in reference to the many opportunities Lefthand has been afforded to turn his life around. “I want to send the defendant to prison so he can’t hurt anyone.” 

Lapotka noted that while Lefthand boasted about not drinking and driving, a recent chemical dependency evaluation found that Lefthand had admitted to consuming methamphetamine and driving. 

Lapotka and probation officials asked for an 11-year sentence to Montana State Prison. 

Manley did not follow either parties’ wishes in his sentencing, and addressed Lefthand in court. 

“You have a serious addiction problem,” Manley said. He wished Lefthand the best of luck in his recovery.