[1] In 1960, Governor John Burroughs appointed Noble to the New Mexico Supreme Court to succeed the retiring James B.
[4] Noble "received the support of the legal community in Santa Fe and the north", and was confirmed without controversy.
[4] Noble immediately had to run for reelection to the seat, despite an initial determination by the Attorney General that he would not have to run until 1962, the Supreme Court ruled that Noble's name should appear on the ballot for the election in that year.
He served the remaining two years of the previous term, and was subsequently re-elected in 1962, where he "proved to be an active campaigner", visiting by his own assessment "every town in the state".
[4] Noble served as Chief Justice of the New Mexico Supreme Court from January 1, 1969 until his death that year.