Davis R. Ruark
Encyclopedia
Davis R. Ruark was the State's Attorney
for Wicomico County, Maryland
in the United States
until January 3, 2011.
and then attended Wake Forest University
where he earned a B.A. degree in history. Ruark then entered the University of Baltimore School of Law
, earning a Juris Doctor degree. He was admitted to the Maryland bar in 1981.
in February, 1987. A member of the Democratic Party
, he has subsequently been elected on four separate occasions, without opposition. Ruark was defeated for re-election in a very low turnout Democratic primary election in September, 2010. Matt Maciarello then defeated Seth Mitchell in the general election to become the State's Attorney. Ruark remained in office until January 3, 2011.
As State's Attorney, Ruark personally prosecuted some high profile cases, including death penalty cases. One example of a high profile case, that he prosecuted, is the drunk driving case involving Michael Phelps
, an Olympic gold medalist.
Ruark was sworn in as a Special Counsel
for the State of Maryland and Special Assistant State's Attorney on January 3, 2011. Ruark assisted with the prosecution of Thomas Leggs, Jr., the person found guilty of murdering eleven-year old Sarah Foxwell over Christmas 2009.
.
. He was later charged with possession of a handgun while under the influence. It was Ruark's only drunken driving arrest, and court records do not show any other violations of the law. As a result, he announced he would take a 30 to 40 day leave of absence and not personally prosecute any traffic, alcohol, or substance abuse cases.
In court, Ruark plead guilty to driving under the influence
and received one year unsupervised probation
, a $500 fine, and 12 points on his driver's license. The charge of handgun possession while under the influence was dropped.
Ruark returned to work on a full-time basis in March 2008.
State's Attorney
In the United States, the State's Attorney is, most commonly, an elected official who represents the State in criminal prosecutions and is often the chief law enforcement officer of their respective county, circuit...
for Wicomico County, Maryland
Wicomico County, Maryland
As of the census of 2010, there were 98,733 people, 37,220 households, and 24,172 families residing in the county. The population density was 261.7 people per square mile . There were 41,192 housing units at an average density of 109.2 per square mile...
in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
until January 3, 2011.
Education
Davis Ruark graduated from Wicomico Senior High SchoolWicomico High School
Wicomico High School is a high school located in Salisbury, Wicomico County, Maryland. It is one of four public high schools in Wicomico County along with James M. Bennett High School, Mardela Middle and High School and Parkside High School. Wicomico High School currently enrolls grades 9 through 12...
and then attended Wake Forest University
Wake Forest University
Wake Forest University is a private, coeducational university in the U.S. state of North Carolina, founded in 1834. The university received its name from its original location in Wake Forest, north of Raleigh, North Carolina, the state capital. The Reynolda Campus, the university's main campus, is...
where he earned a B.A. degree in history. Ruark then entered the University of Baltimore School of Law
University of Baltimore School of Law
University of Baltimore School of Law, or UB Law, is one of the three colleges that make up the University of Baltimore, which is part of the University System of Maryland. UB Law is one of only two law schools in the state of Maryland, the other law school being the University of Maryland School...
, earning a Juris Doctor degree. He was admitted to the Maryland bar in 1981.
Career
Ruark was initially appointed State's Attorney for Wicomico CountyWicomico County, Maryland
As of the census of 2010, there were 98,733 people, 37,220 households, and 24,172 families residing in the county. The population density was 261.7 people per square mile . There were 41,192 housing units at an average density of 109.2 per square mile...
in February, 1987. A member of the Democratic Party
Democratic Party (United States)
The Democratic Party is one of two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Republican Party. The party's socially liberal and progressive platform is largely considered center-left in the U.S. political spectrum. The party has the lengthiest record of continuous...
, he has subsequently been elected on four separate occasions, without opposition. Ruark was defeated for re-election in a very low turnout Democratic primary election in September, 2010. Matt Maciarello then defeated Seth Mitchell in the general election to become the State's Attorney. Ruark remained in office until January 3, 2011.
As State's Attorney, Ruark personally prosecuted some high profile cases, including death penalty cases. One example of a high profile case, that he prosecuted, is the drunk driving case involving Michael Phelps
Michael Phelps
Michael Fred Phelps is an American swimmer who has, overall, won 16 Olympic medals—six gold and two bronze at Athens in 2004, and eight gold at Beijing in 2008, becoming the most successful athlete at both of these Olympic Games editions...
, an Olympic gold medalist.
Ruark was sworn in as a Special Counsel
Counsel
A counsel or a counselor gives advice, more particularly in legal matters.-U.K. and Ireland:The legal system in England uses the term counsel as an approximate synonym for a barrister-at-law, and may apply it to mean either a single person who pleads a cause, or collectively, the body of barristers...
for the State of Maryland and Special Assistant State's Attorney on January 3, 2011. Ruark assisted with the prosecution of Thomas Leggs, Jr., the person found guilty of murdering eleven-year old Sarah Foxwell over Christmas 2009.
Community Affiliations
Ruark serves on the Richard A. Henson Foundation Board of Trustees, having served as Chairman for two years and currently serves as Secretary of the Board. He is also on the board of Healthy U of Delmarva, Inc., an organization founded by Mitzi Perdue in order to promote healthy lifestyles on the Eastern Shore of MarylandEastern Shore of Maryland
The Eastern Shore of Maryland is a territorial part of the U.S. state of Maryland that lies predominately on the east side of the Chesapeake Bay and consists of nine counties. The origin of term Eastern Shore was derived to distinguish a territorial part of the State of Maryland from the Western...
.
DUI Arrest
On Friday, February 22, 2008, at 9:40 p.m., Ruark was arrested in Ocean City, MD for driving under the influenceDriving under the influence
Driving under the influence is the act of driving a motor vehicle with blood levels of alcohol in excess of a legal limit...
. He was later charged with possession of a handgun while under the influence. It was Ruark's only drunken driving arrest, and court records do not show any other violations of the law. As a result, he announced he would take a 30 to 40 day leave of absence and not personally prosecute any traffic, alcohol, or substance abuse cases.
In court, Ruark plead guilty to driving under the influence
Driving under the influence
Driving under the influence is the act of driving a motor vehicle with blood levels of alcohol in excess of a legal limit...
and received one year unsupervised probation
Probation
Probation literally means testing of behaviour or abilities. In a legal sense, an offender on probation is ordered to follow certain conditions set forth by the court, often under the supervision of a probation officer...
, a $500 fine, and 12 points on his driver's license. The charge of handgun possession while under the influence was dropped.
Ruark returned to work on a full-time basis in March 2008.