DUI arrest leads to 30-day jail sentence for Commonwealth Attorney

By Misti Strader
Tribune-Courier News Editor
mstrader@tribunecourier.com

BENTON – After being arrested for driving under the influence last month, Marshall and Calloway County’s Commonwealth Attorney Mike Ward has plead guilty to charges.

Ward was arrested following a 911 call Saturday, Feb. 16 reporting a vehicle which was said to be “driving side to side” on the roadway.

Responding officers located Ward in his driveway where he admitted to having “just now” gotten home and drinking a “ton.”

Ward was taken to Marshall County Hospital where he submitted to a blood-alcohol test. He was taken to the Marshall County Detention Center and booked, where he later bonded out.

Following the incident, Ward issued a public statement of apology saying, “I am ready to pay the price for my actions and humbly ask all of you who supported me for your forgiveness.

“I expect no special treatment and am prepared to receive the same punishment that anyone else would receive in this situation.”

Last Wednesday, Ward appeared before District Court Judge Jack Telle, where he plead guilty to one count of driving under the influence.

It was Ward’s first offense; however, results from his blood-alcohol test added aggravating circumstances to the charge.

Test results indicated his blood-alcohol level of 00.25g was three times more than Kentucky’s legal limit of 00.08g.

Telle sentenced Ward to 30 days in jail, with eight days to serve and the remaining 22 days to be suspended pending Ward’s successful completion of a 90-day alcohol treatment program.

Telle noted in court that he felt Ward deserved a stronger sentence because of his “trusted public position.”

Hopkins County Attorney and special prosecutor Todd P’Pool said, “Mr. Ward was truthful about this event, acknowledged his error in judgement and accepted his punishment with remorse. He was held to a higher standard due to his position as a prosecutor and the sentence is appropriate.”

According to a press release submitted by P’Pool’s office, defendants convicted of DUI in Marshall County routinely receive four days in jail if an aggravating circumstance is present.

Ward was ordered to pay a $200 fine, DUI service fees, court costs and his license was suspended for 45 days.

According to Will Kautz, Ward’s attorney, Ward plans to continue to serve out his term as Commonwealth Attorney.

As previously stated in Ward’s letter of apology, he said, “... I plan to continue as Commonwealths’ Attorney for Marshall and Calloway counties. I cherish my position as a prosecutor, and I intend to be a Commonwealth’s Attorney of which you can ultimately be proud.”

Ward began serving his jail sentence at 11:30 a.m. last Wednesday and is due to be released Thursday.