State's Attorney's Office

State's Attorney's Office's Mission And Goals

The State’s Attorney’s Office is responsible for the enforcement of State criminal laws within the geographical borders of the County.

Cases presented by the State’s Attorney’s Office in District Court include misdemeanors (e.g., assault, malicious destruction of property, theft, controlled dangerous substance offenses) and jailable traffic offenses (e.g., drunk driving, driving while suspended, and fleeing and eluding). The State’s Attorney’s Office presents juvenile cases in the Circuit Court sitting as a juvenile court. Felonies (e.g., murder, robbery, rape, kidnapping, sexual offenses, breaking and entering, controlled dangerous substance offenses), and all jury trial prayers and appeals from the District Court are prosecuted in the Circuit Court by the State’s Attorney’s Office.

The State’s Attorney’s Office is designated as the forfeiting agent for drug forfeitures involving personal property (including vehicles and money) and real property. Decisions regarding drug forfeitures, involving personal property (including vehicles and money) and real property, are made in consultation with the seizing police agency.

The State’s Attorney’s Office presents cases on behalf of the Child Support Enforcement Unit of the Department of Social Services in cases establishing paternity, setting child support payments and enforcing those payments.

The State’s Attorney’s Office is located in the basement of the Charles County Courthouse in La Plata, the County seat. The police consult the State’s Attorney’s Office for advice during criminal investigations. The State’s Attorney’s Office apprises victims of the status of criminal prosecution. Prosecutors appear before the four Circuit Court judges and two District Court judges to prosecute crimes. Additionally, they appear before the Master for Domestic Relations for Child Support matters.