On March 13, Gov. Jay Nixon appointed Drug Court Commissioner Michael W. Noble to serve as an associate circuit judge on the 22nd Judicial Circuit Court, which covers the City of St. Louis.
Noble will fill the position previously held by Elizabeth B. Hogan, who was appointed as a circuit judge.
“Michael Noble’s dedication to his country, the pursuit of justice and the people of St. Louis will serve him well in this new role, and I am pleased to appoint him from a panel of well-qualified nominees,” Nixon said.
Since 2007, Noble has served as a drug court commissioner with the 22ndCircuit. As a leader of the drug court, he worked to make drug treatment available to nonviolent offenders who do not have access to such resources.
“As a drug court commissioner, Mike Noble has been working with some of the most troubled people in St. Louis,” said Judge Jimmie Edwards. “It’s a tough job and a difficult segment of society to deal with. The drug court assignment requires patience, perseverance and a firm hand – qualities that will serve him well as a judge. I think the governor made a very good choice in Mike.”
In his new role, Noble will deal primarily with misdemeanor criminal trials, such as assault, trespassing, possession of marijuana less than 35 grams, and domestic assault cases.
His experience with the drug court gave him an opportunity to see how drugs play a direct role in criminal behavior, he said. About 70 percent of all crimes are committed under the influence of drugs, especially car and house break-ins, he said.
“When we hear on the news about ‘smash and grabs,’ those are drug-related crimes. They are looking for items to sell to purchase drugs,” he said. “The 22ndCircuit Court has the ability to take an active role in breaking the cycle. By not getting these offenders drug treatment, you are not breaking the cycle.”
His drug-court background will aid him in giving appropriate sentences, which will include recommending treatment if needed, he said.
Noble was one of three applicants submitted to Nixon for consideration by the 22nd Circuit Judicial Commission under the Missouri Nonpartisan Court Plan. The commission interviewed 33 applicants.
Raised in St. Louis, Noble graduated from Saint Louis University High School, and he said the school’s motto of “men for others” inspired his dedication to public service, the military and being on the bench.
“It is important for someone who has grown up in St. Louis to give back in a meaningful way,” he said. “I learned a lot of this from my high school, and I have been trying to live up to that motto every since.”
He earned his bachelor’s degree from the U.S. Military Academy, West Point. After serving four years in the U.S. Army and seven years in the Army Reserves, he received his Juris Doctorate from Saint Louis University School of Law in 2004. He worked as a patent attorney for Armstrong Teasdale and as an assistant public defender in St. Louis City. Noble lives with his wife and two children in the Central West End, just two blocks from the house he grew up in.
Noble said he encourages more young people to get into public service.
“We are only as strong as our community,” he said. “And if you give back to your community, you make the place you live in that much stronger.”
