Carl Matthew Ward

Carl M. Ward is a nationally recognized attorney who has represented thousands of citizens accused of DWI across the State of Missouri. He has handled dozens of appeals and argued cases before the Missouri Supreme Court and all three Missouri district Courts of Appeal.

Mr. Ward the respect of his peers. He has been rated AV Preeminent by Martindale-Hubbell since 2004, holds a 10.0 AVVO “Superb” rating, has been included in Super Lawyers Magazine, and is listed in The Best Lawyers in America. U.S. News & World Report has included his firm in its “Best Law Firms” ranking. Carl was the recipient of the Robert Duncan Appellate Excellence Award, the Bernard Edelman Tradition Award, and the President’s Award from the Missouri Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers. He was named to The National Trial Lawyers “Top 100” in the area of DWI/DUI defense, St. Louis Area’s Top Attorneys in the area of DUI/DWI Defense by St. Louis Magazine, the Top 10 Criminal Defense Lawyers in Missouri by the National Academy of Criminal Defense Attorneys, and the Nation’s “Top One Percent” in DWI/DUI Defense by the National Association of Distinguished Counsel. In 2018, Carl was awarded the National Leadership Award by the National College for DUI Defense.

Mr. Ward has been trained in the use and maintenance of breath alcohol testing device and owns several breath alcohol testing instruments. Carl has also completed an extensive training course on the use of gas chromatography instruments to test blood samples for alcohol. He has been a NHTSA/IACP trained DWI Detection and Standardized Field Sobriety Testing Instructor since 2000. Carl has served as an instructor or lecturer at dozens of police training programs for state, county and municipal law enforcement officers since that time.

Mr. Ward frequently lectures on DWI law at continuing legal education programs and seminars. He chaired or co-chaired the largest DWI law seminars for lawyers in Missouri from 1997 to 2017. He is a member of various bars and associations, including the Missouri Bar, Franklin County Bar Association, National College for DUI Defense, Missouri Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, and DUI Defense Lawyers Association. Carl is also the founder of the Missouri Society for Criminal Justice. He was the President of the Missouri Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers from 2015-2016. He is currently the Governor of District 13 for the Missouri Bar Association, and organization composed of more than 30,000 lawyers.

Carl was born in Peoria, Illinois and moved with his family to St. Charles, Missouri at a very young age. He is a graduate of St. Charles High School. After receiving a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science in 1981 from the University of Missouri, graduating with the college’s highest honors [Summa Cum Laude], Carl earned his Juris Doctor from Saint Louis University School of Law in 1984. He was admitted to practice in Missouri that same year.

Carl has been married to his wife, Judy, for 43 years. He has two daughters and three grandchildren. Carl is an avid sprint car (World of Outlaws, Kubota High Limit, USAC, and ASCS) racing fan, and frequently attends racing events with his 94 year-old father. He enjoys target shooting, believes citizens should carry weapons for the protection of their friends, family and neighbors, and is a strong supporter of the 2nd Amendment. Mr. Ward also works closely with the Special Forces Association [“Green Berets”] in St. Louis to assist the families of local servicemen and servicewomen who have been killed or catastrophically wounded in the service of their Country.

Professional Speaking Engagements

1. Speaker: Annual DWI Law seminar. “Successful Strategies in Defending a DWI Case.” Mizzou Law School. St. Louis, Mo. March 22, 1996

2. Program Moderator and Speaker: MU Annual DWI Law seminar. “Field Sobriety Testing and Practical Tips on Dealing with the Testimony of the Arresting Officer” Mizzou Law School. Clayton, Mo. June 20, 1997

3. Program Chair and Speaker: “Field Sobriety Testing and Dealing with the Testimony of the Arresting Officer.” Mizzou Law School. Town & Country, Mo. June 12, 1998

4. Program Chair and Speaker: Annual DWI Law seminar. “What Happened to the Bill of Rights and the Rules of Evidence in Department of Revenue Cases? Retreat or Fix Bayonets?” Mizzou Law School. Lake Ozark, Mo. May 7, 1999

5. Program Chair and Speaker: Annual DWI Law seminar. “Standardized Field Sobriety Testing.” Mizzou Law School. Clayton, Mo. October 6-7, 2000

6. Speaker: Criminal Defense seminar. “DWI Law.” The Missouri Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers. Kansas City, Mo. Oct. 19, 2001

7. Program Chair and Speaker: Annual DWI Law seminar. “Direct Examination of Defendant’s Field Sobriety Test Expert.” Mizzou Law School. Lake Ozark, Mo. May 10-11, 2002

8. Speaker: Criminal Defense seminar. “DWI: Cross Examination on Field Sobriety Tests” Missouri Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers. Kansas City, Mo. April 12-13, 2002

9. Faculty Member & Speaker: Missouri Judicial College. “Department of Revenue Cases” Missouri Judicial College. Lake Ozark, Mo. August 5, 2002

10. Faculty Member & Speaker: Missouri Judicial College. “Department of Revenue Cases.” Kansas City, Mo. Oct. 28, 2002

11. Program Co-Chair and Speaker: Annual DWI Law seminar. “Standardized Field Sobriety Testing.” The Missouri Bar. Clayton, Mo. 2003

12. Program Co-Chair and Speaker: DWI Law seminar. “Standardized Field Sobriety Testing.” Mizzou Law School. Kansas City, Mo. June 6, 2003

13. Program Co-Chair and Speaker: Annual DWI Law seminar. “Field Sobriety Testing.” The Missouri Bar. Kansas City, Mo. June 24, 2004

14. Program Co-Chair and Speaker: Annual DWI law seminar. “Field Sobriety Testing.” The Missouri Bar. Defending DWI and DOR Cases. Clayton, Mo. June 25, 2004

15. Program Co-Chair and Speaker: Annual DWI Law seminar. “Field Sobriety Testing.” Mizzou Law School. St. Louis, Mo. 2004

16. Speaker: Missouri Public Defender’s College. “Attacking Field Sobriety, Breath and Blood Tests.” Kansas City, Mo. April 23, 2004

17. Speaker: DWI Law Seminar. “Standardized Field Sobriety Testing.” Lorman Education Services. Maryland Heights, Mo. June 24, 2004

18. Program Co-Chair and Speaker: Annual DWI Law Seminar. “Challenging Administrative Suspensions and Refusals.” The Missouri Bar. St. Louis, Mo. June 24, 2005

19. Program Co-Chair and Speaker: Annual DWI Law seminar. “Challenging Administrative Suspensions and Refusals.” The Missouri Bar. Kansas City, Mo. June 25, 2005

20. Program Co-Chair and Speaker: Annual DWI Law Seminar. “Winning Moves in a DOR Case.” Effective Challenges to the Traffic Stop, Arrest, Field Sobriety Tests, and Blood Test. The Missouri Bar. Lake Ozark, Mo. July 28-29, 2006

21. Program Host and Instructor: DWI Boot Camp #1 “Defending Your Client’s Driver’s License Following a DWI Arrest.” Clayton, Mo. October 6, 2006

22. Program Host and Instructor: DWI Boot Camp #2 “Defending Your Client’s Driver’s License Following a DWI Arrest.” Clayton, Mo. November 10, 2006

23. Speaker: Missouri State Public Defender’s College. “Blood and Breath Testing.” St. Louis, Mo. 2006

24. Program Co-Chair and Speaker: Annual DWI Law seminar. “Breath and Blood Testing. “The Missouri Bar. Lake Ozark, Mo. July 27-28, 2007

25. Program Host and Speaker: DWI Boot Camp #3 “Defending Your Client’s Driver’s License Following a DWI Arrest.” Columbia, Mo. March 30, 2007

26. Speaker: Interactive Telephone seminar. “Defending Administrative Alcohol Suspension Cases.” The Missouri Bar- How to Series: DWI/DUI. September 11, 2007

27. Speaker: District VII Justice Phi Alpha Delta Fraternity International Meeting. “Breath Alcohol Testing.” Washington, Mo. September 29, 2007

28. Presenter: Missouri Bar Solo and Small Firm Conference. “Saturday Morning Hangover – The Headaches of Representing a Client with a DWI case.” Osage Beach, Mo. June 9, 2007

29. Program Co-Chair and Speaker: 1st Annual Bernard Edelman DWI Law and Science seminar. “Direct Examination of Defendant’s Field Sobriety Test Expert.” The Missouri Bar and MACDL. Lake Ozark, Mo. July 25-26, 2008

30. Speaker: Interactive telephone seminar. “Administrative Alcohol Suspensions.” The Missouri Bar – How to Series: DWI/DUI. December 10, 2008

31. Speaker: Criminal Defense seminar. “Creating Drama in the Courtroom.” The Missouri Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers – Making the Courtroom Your Stage. Branson, Mo. April 18, 2008

32. Speaker: National Association of Legal Secretaries annual meeting. “CDL and Abuse and Lose Law in Missouri.” St. Louis, Mo. May 3, 2008

33. Program Co-Chair and Speaker: 2nd Annual Bernard Edelman DWI Law and Science seminar. “Mock Jury Trial of a DWI Case.” The Missouri Bar and MACDL. Science and Law in a DWI Case. Lake Ozark, Mo. July 24-25, 2009

34. Speaker: Missouri Municipal Court Clerk’s Association annual meeting.” Mock Jury Trial of a DWI Case.” Osage Beach, Mo. 2009

35. Speaker: National Association of Legal Secretaries annual meeting. “Mock Jury Trial of a DWI Case.” Washington, Mo. February 7, 2009

36. Program Co-Chair and Speaker: 3rd Annual Bernard Edelman DWI Law and Science seminar. “How to Win an Administrative DWI Suspension Hearing.” Lake Ozark, Mo. July 2010

37. Speaker: Missouri State Public Defenders Annual College. “Defending DWI Cases.” Branson, Mo. April 8, 2010

38. Speaker: 1st annual MADD Tool Box seminar. “DWI Law Update.” St. Louis, Mo. 2010.

39. Program Co-Chair and Speaker: 4th Annual Bernard Edelman DWI Law and Science seminar. “Probable Cause and Reasonable Suspicion.” The Missouri Bar and MACDL. Osage Beach, Mo. July 2011

40. Program Host and Instructor: DWI Boot Camp #4. “Defending Your Client’s Driver’s License Following a DWI Arrest.” St. Louis, Mo. 2011

41. Speaker: Law Enforcement Traffic Safety Annual Conference. “DWI Law Update.” Lake Ozark, Mo. 2011

42. Speaker: Missouri Municipal and Associate Circuit Judges Association Conference. “Probable Cause in a DWI Case.” Lake Ozark, Mo., 2011

43. Speaker: Missouri Public Defenders College. “DWI Law in Missouri.” Branson, Mo., 2011

44. Program Co-Chair and Speaker: 5th Annual Bernard Edelman DWI Law and Science seminar. “Breath Testing Regulation Changes.” The Missouri Bar. Osage Beach, Mo. July 2012

45. Program Co-Chair and Speaker: 6th Annual Bernard Edelman DWI Law and Science Seminar. “Ethical Considerations in a DWI Case.” The Missouri Bar. Osage Beach, Mo. July 2013

46. Program Co-Chair and Speaker: 7th Annual Bernard Edelman DWI Law and Science Seminar. “Administrative DWI 101.” The Missouri Bar. Osage Beach, Mo. July 18-19, 2014

47. Program Host and Instructor: DWI Boot Camp #5. “Defending Your Client’s Driver’s License Following a DWI Arrest.” Washington, Mo. September 2014

48. Breath Alcohol Testing Demonstrations. Missouri Association of Probate & Associate Circuit Judges Annual Meeting. March 25, 2015

49. Speaker, Bench, Bar & Boardroom Conference. “DUI: Understanding (and observing) the Limits.” May 15, 2015

50. Speaker, DOR’s Annual Hearing Officer and Trial Staff Training Program. May 29, 2015

51. Program Co-Chair and Speaker: 8th Annual Bernard Edelman DWI Law and Science Seminar. “How to Save Your Clients’ Drivers Licenses.” The Missouri Bar & MACDL. Osage Beach, Mo. July 16-18, 2015

52. Instructor, “Defending Your Client’s Driver’s License Following a DWI Arrest.” The Missouri Bar & MACDL. Kansas City, Mo. February 19, 2016

53. Instructor, “Defending Your Client’s Driver’s License Following a DWI Arrest.” The Missouri Bar & MACDL. St. Louis, Mo. March 3, 2016

54. Program Co-Chair and Speaker: 9th Annual Bernard Edelman DWI Law and Science Seminar. “Cross-Examination of the Arresting Officer.” The Missouri Bar & MACDL. Osage Beach, Mo. July 21-23, 2016

55. Speaker: Wyoming Trial Lawyers College. “Attacking Probable Cause for the Arrest.” Casper, Wyoming. November 4, 2017

56. Speaker: 10th Annual Bernard Edelman DWI Law and Science Seminar. “Probable Cause for the Arrest. The Missouri Bar & MACDL. Osage Beach, Mo. July 21-22, 2017

57. Speaker: Missouri Municipal and Associate Circuit Judges Association. “DWI Enforcement.” Lake Ozark, Mo. May 22, 2019

58. Speaker: 12th Annual Bernard Edelman DWI Law and Science Seminar. “Cross-Examination of Law Enforcement Officers. The Missouri Bar & MACDL. Lake Ozark, Mo. July 18, 2019

59. Speaker: Missouri DWI Institute Online Conference. “Effective Plea Negotiations.” July 24, 2020

60. Instructor: Missouri Association of Probate and Associate Circuit Judge’s Annual Conference. “DWI Law Update.: Branson, Mo. April 8, 2021

61. Speaker: 16th Annual Bernard Edelman DWI Law and Science Seminar. "Attacking Probable Cause for the Arrest." The Missouri Bar & MACDL. Lake Ozark, Mo. July 27, 2023.

Police Training Programs Taught

1. Instructor: DWI Law Update. Chesterfield Police Department. January 16, 2004

2. Instructor: DWI Law Update. Chesterfield Police Department. January 23, 2004

3. Instructor: DWI Law Update. Chesterfield Police Department. January 26, 2004

4. Instructor: DWI Law Update. Chesterfield Police Department. January 29, 2004

5. Instructor: DWI Law Update. Chesterfield Police Department. February 6, 2004

6. Instructor: DWI Law Update. Chesterfield Police Department. February 9, 2004

7. Instructor: DWI Law Update. Washington, Missouri Police Department. March 10, 2006

8. Instructor: NHTSA DWI Detection and Standardized Field Sobriety Testing Student course. Creve Coeur Police Department. March 15, 2006

9. Instructor: NHTSA DWI Detection and Standardized Field Sobriety Testing Student course. Washington Police Department. March 17, 2006

10. Instructor: NHTSA DWI Detection and Standardized Field Sobriety Testing Student course. Jefferson College Police Academy. June 15, 2006

11. Instructor: NHTSA DWI Detection and Standardized Field Sobriety Testing Student course. Overland Police Department. August 9, 2006

12. Instructor: NHTSA DWI Detection and Standardized Field Sobriety Testing Student course. St. Louis County Police Training Center. January 31, 2007

13. Instructor: NHTSA DWI Detection and Standardized Field Sobriety Testing Student course. Washington Missouri Public Safety Building. March 13-16, 2007

14. Instructor: NHTSA DWI Detection and Standardized Field Sobriety Testing Student course. Ballwin Police Department. August 24, 2007

15. Instructor: NHTSA DWI Detection and Standardized Field Sobriety Testing Student course. Kirksville, Mo. March 19, 2008

16. Instructor: NHTSA DWI Detection and Standardized Field Sobriety Testing Student course. Kirksville, Mo. April 1, 2008

17. Instructor: NHTSA DWI Detection and Standardized Field Sobriety Testing Student course. Kirkwood, Mo. January 14, 2009

18. NHTSA DWI Detection and Standardized Field Sobriety Testing Student course. Eastern Missouri Police Academy. February 18, 2009

19. Instructor: NHTSA DWI Detection and Standardized Field Sobriety Testing Student course. Kirkwood, Mo. March 18, 2009

20. Instructor: NHTSA DWI Detection and Standardized Field Sobriety Testing Student course. Kirkwood, Mo. April 21, 2009

21. Moot Court Instructor: NHTSA DWI Detection and Standardized Field Sobriety Testing Student course. Missouri State Highway Patrol Academy. June 1, 2009

22. Moot Court Instructor: NHTSA DWI Detection and Standardized Field Sobriety Testing Student course. Missouri State Highway Patrol Academy. June 2, 2009

23. Instructor: DWI Practical Training Program. Eastern Missouri Police Academy. June 21, 2009

24. Lecturer: DWI Law Update. Franklin County Sheriff’s Department. August 6, 2009

25. Instructor: DWI Law and Standardized Field Sobriety Testing. Missouri Deputy Sheriff’s Association Annual Conference. Lake Ozark, Mo. September 28-29, 2009

26. Moot Court Instructor: NHTSA DWI Detection and Standardized Field Sobriety Testing Student course. Missouri State Highway Patrol Academy. December 3, 2009

27. Moot Court Instructor: NHTSA DWI Detection and Standardized Field Sobriety Testing Student course. Missouri State Highway Patrol Academy. December 10, 2009

28. Instructor: NHTSA DWI Detection and Standardized Field Sobriety Testing Student course. Washington, Mo. May 20 -22, 2010

29. Moot Court Instructor: NHTSA DWI Detection and Standardized Field Sobriety Testing Student course. Missouri State Highway Patrol Academy. July 13, 2010

30. Moot Court Instructor: NHTSA DWI Detection and Standardized Field Sobriety Testing Student course. Missouri State Highway Patrol Academy. July 14, 2010

31. Speaker: DWI Law. Law Enforcement Traffic Safety Annual Conference, Lake Ozark, Mo. July 2010

32. Moot Court Instructor: NHTSA DWI Detection and Standardized Field Sobriety Testing Student course. Missouri State Highway Patrol Academy. December 7, 2010

33. Moot Court Instructor: NHTSA DWI Detection and Standardized Field Sobriety Testing Student course. Missouri State Highway Patrol Academy. June 14, 2011

34. Moot Court Instructor: NHTSA DWI Detection and Standardized Field Sobriety Testing Student course. Missouri State Highway Patrol Academy. June 15, 2011

35. Instructor: NHTSA DWI Detection and Standardized Field Sobriety Testing Student course. Eastern Missouri Police Academy. June 21, 2011

36. Instructor: NHTSA DWI Detection and Standardized Field Sobriety Testing Student course. Union, Mo. March 1, 2011

37. Speaker: DWI Law Update. MADD Toolbox Conference. St. Louis, Mo. 2011

38. Speaker: DWI Law. Law Enforcement Traffic Safety Annual Conference, Lake Ozark, Mo. July 14, 2016

39. Instructor: NHTSA DWI Detection and Standardized Field Sobriety Testing Student course. St. Louis County Police Academy. February 17, 2017

40. Instructor: NHTSA DWI Detection and Standardized Field Sobriety Testing Student course. St. Louis County Police Academy. May 12, 2017

41. Instructor: NHTSA DWI Detection and Standardized Field Sobriety Testing Student course. St. Louis County Police Academy, August 11, 2017

42. Instructor: NHTSA DWI Detection and Standardized Field Sobriety Testing Student course. St. Louis County Police Academy, May 4, 2018

43. Instructor: NHTSA DWI Detection and Standardized Field Sobriety Testing Student course. St. Louis County Police Academy, August 3, 2018

Representative Appeals

Mr. Ward has handled dozens of appeals and has argued cases before the Eastern, Western and Southern District courts of appeal as well as the Missouri Supreme Court. His cases have had a significant impact on the law in the areas of field sobriety testing, probable cause analysis, breath testing, and standards of review.

Honors and Awards

• AV® Preeminent™ Martindale-Hubbell Peer Review Rating.

• Client Distinction Award. Martindale-Hubbell®

• Listed in “Top Attorneys in Missouri and Kansas.” KC Magazine

• Listed in “Best Lawyers in America” in the area of DUI/DWI Defense. Best Lawyers Magazine

• Listed in “Best Lawyers in St. Louis” in the area of DWI/DUI Law. Best Lawyers Magazine

• Robert Duncan Award of Appellate Excellence. Missouri Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers