A Niagara County judge determined 2 to 4 years in prison was the proper sentencing for a DWI offender who has five prior convictions.

35-year-old James Goodenough was most recently arrested on DWI charges when he crashed his car in a one-car accident in Royalton last June. The accident occurred at the end of a high speed chase when Goodenough struck a tree, breaking his own arm. He pleaded guilty to the felony charge.

While awaiting sentencing on that charge, Goodenough was again stopped for a traffic violation in November. He had been spotted using his cell phone while driving, but police suspected there was more to the traffic stop and eventually carried out a vehicle search. 

When officers searched Goodenough's car, they located cocaine. In that arrest, he was charged with fifth-degree possession of a controlled substance. He additionally pleaded guilty to this count prior to his sentencing this week. 

Goodenough was sentenced to two to four years in prison as a result of the two arrests. Repeat offenders present a problem for law enforcement and criminal courts who often lack the resourced to truly treat the cause of the problem. Some "DWI courts" do focus on rehabilitation instead of punishment, but many of these programs have been cut as law enforcement departments have fallen into financial trouble with the recent recession.