POCATELLO - A local man with seven prior convictions for driving under the influence of alcohol was sentenced Monday to a three-year fixed, three-year indeterminate sentence for felony DUI.

Darrell E. Lawrence, 43, will be allowed to participate in the retained jurisdiction program, a 180-day non-prison setting disposition that addresses underlying criminal behavior. Successful completion of the program is often the basis for a probationary sentence.

Lawrence's attorney, John Dewey, requested Lawrence be granted probation, noting he had been a model probationer on a previous DUI conviction, gaining an early discharge.

"What we have here is a good man, a law-abiding man, with a drinking problem," he said.

Bannock County Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Cleve Colson requested a prison sentence for Lawrence, noting his numerous prior convictions.

"I don't think a rider does anything for this individual," Colson said, referring to the retained jurisdiction program.

Lawrence told Sixth District Judge Stephen S. Dunn that he had achieved periodic sobriety, once as long as four years, before succumbing again to alcohol.

"When I start drinking, I can't stop," Lawrence said. "I got stupid or lazy on this one."

Dunn took issue with Dewey's portrayal of Lawrence.

"Well, you're not a law-abiding man," Dunn said, noting Lawrence's repeated DUI history and admission of casual marijuana use.

Dunn opted to allow Lawrence to participate in the rider program, noting that Lawrence needs to focus on "substantial substance abuse treatment" as part of his sentence.