A Warren man who picked up three “serial DUIs” will spend a minimum of nearly three years in state prison. The three offenses amount of the fifth, sixth, and seventh DUI offenses against James R. Highhouse, 55.

He was sentenced by President Judge Maureen Skerda on Friday.

His attorney, Henry Borger, acknowledged that his client is before the court for three “serial DUIs.”

“He’s looking for a way to get help here,” Borger said, calling Highhouse one of the kindest, gentlest people.

Borger said this is a “terrible way” for Highhouse “to have to come to terms with this.”

Assistant District Attorney Casey Strickland said he agreed with everything Borger said.

She said Highhouse would benefit from the programming available in state prison.

Skerda noted on the record his DUIs in 1996, 1997, 2004 and 2015 followed by these three – Jan. 29, 2022, Sept. 23, 2022 and March 28, 2023.

Skerda said it was “courageous” for Highhouse to address the problem but too little, too late for the sentence to stay in the county.

Each DUI was sentenced individually.

The first resulted in a sentence including six to 12 months incarceration, $2,875 in fines and fees, participation in the alcohol highway safety school and victim impact panel programs, an 18 month license suspension, 15 hours of community service, submission of a DNA sample, drug and alcohol treatment and credit for impatient treatment as well as $70 each on charges of obedience to traffic control devices and operating a vehicle without a valid inspection as well as $345 for operating a vehicle without required financial responsibility.

The next offense included 12-48 months incarceration, $3,625 in fines and fees, an 18 month license suspension and 30 hours of community service on a count of DUI as well as $70 each on charges of signal improper and careless driving.

A third docket resulted in sentences including 15 to 42 months incarceration, $3,625 in fines and fees, and an 18 month license suspension as well as $70 on charges of disregard traffic land and careless driving.