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Commonwealth’s Attorney Mike Ward Resigns as Part of Plea Agreement on DUI Charge

The Prosecutors Advisory Council and Attorney General Jack Conway announced today that Mike Ward, Commonwealth’s Attorney for the 42nd Judicial Circuit, resigned as part of a Driving Under the Influence (DUI) guilty plea entered in Graves District Court this morning. Ward was charged with his second DUI offense on July 11, 2008. He previously pled guilty to a DUI charge in Marshall District Court on March 5th of this year.

“I think that this plea agreement is a resolution that will allow us to move forward and insure that appropriate prosecution is provided in the 42nd Judicial Circuit of Kentucky,” General Conway said. “I think this sends the message that no one is above the law, and I hope Mike receives the treatment he needs to deal with his addiction.”

Christian County Attorney Mike Foster, who is a member of the Prosecutors Advisory Council, was appointed by the Attorney General’s Office as a special prosecutor in this case.

As part of the plea agreement, Ward agrees to a six-month jail sentence, a $500 fine, a 12-month suspension of his driver’s license and mandatory alcohol treatment.

With respect to the jail time, Ward agreed to serve seven days in jail with the remaining 173 days probated, upon the following conditions:

1. Ward immediately resigns as Commonwealth’s Attorney for the 42nd Judicial Circuit;
2. He enrolls in and completes a one-year alcohol treatment program, which shall have a residential component of at least 30 days in-patient treatment; and
3. He shall not commit any criminal offenses.

Mike Foster, on behalf of the Prosecutors Advisory Council, stated “The Council feels that this is the best resolution for the Commonwealth and for the citizens of Graves County and the 42nd Judicial Circuit. The public must have confidence that the law applies to everyone, prosecutors and the public alike.”

According to Kentucky statute, Ward’s first assistant Commonwealth’s Attorney will serve as his interim replacement until an appointment is made by Gov. Steve Beshear.