Last July, one of the Boise County Commissioners was arrested for two separate alleged stalking incidents. A warrant was issued, and Alan Ward was taken into custody at the Ada County jail. At the time of his arrest, very few details were released about this story. The man was also a member and Chairman of the Garden Valley School Board.
At the time of his arrest, nobody from the School Board or Superintendent’s Office would make any comment about this case. They did, however, say that the actions of Ward were not a reflection of the Board or its other members. The same can be said of the County
Commissioner’s Office. They refused to make any substantive comment about Alan Ward’s arrest, or the accusations laid against him.
Now, more than a year later, Alan Ward finally went to trial. He has denied the allegations since they were initially made last summer. He was charged with two counts of 2nd degree stalking. Both of these charges were misdemeanors.
This week, Alan Ward was acquitted of both charges. One concern was that, even had he been convicted, he may not have been removed from office. This is because the Idaho statutes only speak to removal for felonies. It says nothing about the commission of misdemeanors.
Ward’s trial was originally scheduled for April of this year. However, because of the COVID-19 virus, it was pushed back to the end of June.
One problem with these types of charges is that it feels like you’re presumed guilty until proven innocent. That seemed to be the case for Ward. If you or your loved one have been charged with any serious felony or misdemeanor, make sure you call our Boise criminal defense firm right away. There is too much at stake to handle it yourself.