Residential treatment program recommended for woman after fourth DUI

A Kalispell woman is likely to face treatment both while incarcerated and while on probation after pleading guilty to her fourth offense of drunk driving.

Janice White, 60, entered a guilty plea Thursday in Flathead District Court as part of a deal that includes a recommended sentence of 13 months to a residential alcohol treatment facility under the Montana Department of Corrections, to be followed by three years of probation with recommended placement in the Warm Springs Addiction Treatment and Change — or WATCH — program.

White was also in the midst of completing a three-year deferred sentence for a criminal endangerment conviction at the time that she was charged with the new crime. That conviction was the result of a felony DUI arrest.

By pleading guilty to the new charge, White also admitted violating that sentence. Her plea agreement includes a recommendation of five years of probation for the violation, to run consecutively with her sentence in the new case for a total of 13 months with the Department of Corrections, followed by eight years of probation.

A Montana Highway Patrol trooper responded to a single-vehicle crash on Christmas Day 2012, where White had crossed the road and driven over an embankment. She appeared drunk and failed field-sobriety and breath-alcohol testing.

Her prior drunk-driving convictions came in November 2004, May 2005, and September 2006. In addition, a court document states that White was on probation for a criminal endangerment conviction at the time of her arrest. That conviction was the result of a felony DUI arrest.

A sentencing hearing has been set for Oct. 8.