baltimore county state's attorney election

Throughout his career, Leonard said hes represented minors and adults and served on the public defenders government relations team, where he testified on bills in the legislature. Some voters, though, said they were discouraged from voting for Leonard after receiving a slew of mailers in the waning weeks of the primary from a super political action committee excoriating Shellenbergers reluctance to prosecute sexual assault crimes and charge police officers who fatally shoot civilians. We must be attuned to the issues from both the perspective of the man on the street and the officer on the beat. Leonard will make his bid for Baltimore County States Attorney official on Saturday. Find Maryland Election Campaign & Political lawyers, attorneys, law firms - MD Election Campaign & Political Lawyers No one thought we could take on a 16-year incumbent but look what we accomplished, said Leonard. (WBFF) Incumbent Baltimore County State's Attorney Scott Shellenberger has won the Democratic primary after facing a strong challenge from progressive defense. In the 26 cases where prosecutors were consulted, the audit found, there were six that proceeded to criminal cases, 17 where charges were declined, one dismissed case and a request for further investigation of two cases. Cox initially said he would offer some comment but left without speaking to reporters after the results were announced. Has Maryland gone too far, or far enough, when it comes to police reform? He said crime and the fear of crime does not seem to be getting better. The Baltimore County States Attorneys Office requested that law enforcement ask her not to seek charges against the men after prosecutors declined to proceed with a case. He said hed like to post information about the office and its results as a measure of transparency on the website. James A. Haynes. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. Do voters want change? Billionaire philanthropist George Soros is listed as the only contributor to the committee in the latest state campaign finance report, donating $884,000. When they counted provisional ballots, I got the most votes. Baltimore Sun Media's voter guide allows candidates to provide their background, policy and platforms on issues, in their own words. I was involved actively in that process at both the County and State level. Do Not Sell/Share My Personal Information. A county task force formed in 2019 to examine sexual assault investigations identified the topic as an issue for the office, which includes Shellenberger and prosecutors. Baltimore County States Attorney Scott Shellenberger has survived an aggressive primary challenge in a race that offered voters contrasting visions of what a top prosecutors priorities should be. My priority in running for states attorney is having a fair, transparent and accountable criminal justice system in the States Attorneys Office things that we dont have here, Leonard said. Learn more about supporting local journalism. The Working Families Party and Progressive Maryland endorsed Robbie Leonard in the 2022 race for Baltimore County States Attorney on Tuesday. Shellenberger painted Leonard, who has never been a prosecutor, as unprepared for the office. Leonard said the incumbents opposition to local police reform policies mobilized him to challenge Shellenberger. You can unsubscribe from these alerts at anytime. We came up short of victory but we started a real conversation for change, he said. In response, Shellenberger noted that killings are down, with 22 in 2022 compared to 42 at this time in 2021. In Baltimore County, registered Democrats outnumber registered Republicans by a more than 2-to-1 margin. Witnesses and victims of crime do not get paid to come to court, Haynes said. But this year, his 16th in office, he has faced the most sustained criticism of his career. In elected, Haynes said, hed make every possible effort to work with the U.S. Attorneys Office and federal law enforcement on prosecutions involving gangs, drugs and illegal guns. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Service and Privacy Policies | CA Notice at Collection and Privacy Notice | Do Not Sell My Personal Information | Ad Choices. Law Clerks are assigned to work in one of the trial units. Doug Riley, who served on the Baltimore County Council from 1990-1998, said hes known Haynes for almost 40 years and believes that he has a good perspective about the criminal justice system and how it can be used to help people. John Lee is a reporter for WYPR covering Baltimore County. He said the close primary made him realize that he needs to more frequently publicize some of the reforms that hes implemented including putting in place a marijuana diversion program and supporting the adoption of police body cameras. Efforts at police reform are probably a never ending process. The. Haynes, 72, of Rodgers Forge, is a retired administrative judge with the U.S. Department of Labor and a former state assistant attorney general. I tend to be more moderate, said Clement, who moved back to Towson late last year, but there are good aspects to the progressive agenda of some chief prosecutors to incarcerate fewer nonviolent, low-level crimes. One Republican, Al Nalley, ran unopposed. Shellenberger, meanwhile, emphasized his experience prosecuting crimes and said he has supported what he calls reasonable criminal justice reform. So often, with the way that these cases are handled, justice is not just denied, but they feel reassaulted by the criminal justice system. The states attorney is elected to a four-year term and earns a salary of $216,749. I guess the easiest way to put it is, in this instance if it aint broke, dont fix it, said Spencer, about his support for Shellenberger. I was always on the opposite side of every issue from the current Baltimore County States Attorney Scott Shellenberger, he said. He took office in 2007. Members of the BCSAO Honors Law Clerk Program are full-time benefitted employees of the BCSAO. His office has adopted some of the groups recommendations, such as documenting when prosecutors review police investigations, but has disagreed with others. I believe that my sense of independence will be much greater, said Haynes, who added that he would run the office in a nonpartisan manner. He announced in May that he is running for a fifth term. Theres a point at which you get out of the process. I really think this is all about experience, and knowing how this office works, Shellenberger said. As I have told you, I do not believe we can prove your case, he said. Our nonprofit news organization is made possible by, Select the type of alerts youd like to receive, Browsers such as Chrome, Safari, and Firefox, Get text messages from The Banner in urgent situations (message and data rates may apply). We need to have a police department which earns and deserves the respect of all. Of those, the three unnamed prosecutors brought charges in three out of 33. For the first time in a decade, Baltimore County States Attorney Scott Shellenberger (D) will have a Republican opponent to campaign against if he can beat Robbie Leonard (D) in the 2022 primary election. . Incumbent Scott Shellenberger gained ground in the Democratic primary race for Baltimore County state's attorney as mail-in ballots are tallied, taking a narrow lead Friday over. According to his most recent financial disclosure, he has around $22,000 in his campaign coffers. On election night, it looked like Shellenberger could be unseated after 15 years in office. Quirk called the PACs ad campaign character assassination that influenced the race and said, Scott has always done his job very professionally.. Baltimore County State's Attorney Scott Shellenberger has not had a Democratic primary challenger since he was first elected in 2006. The 2021 audit also found more standardized documentation of prosecutors review of police cases. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Service and Privacy Policies | CA Notice at Collection and Privacy Notice | Do Not Sell My Personal Information | Ad Choices. In that case, a juror told the prosecutor another member of the jury had convinced the others that all Black women lie, according to the womans account. He said Shellenberger is out of touch with Democratic primary voters. We are active participants in problem solving courts in appropriate cases where the primary focus is treatment rather than incarceration. Shellenberger has said the office doesnt collect data around the number of criminal prosecutions, convictions or victim and perpetrator demographics making it challenging for observers to analyze outcomes. Name Party Early Voting Baltimore County voters have made their selections in primary races for states attorney, the County Council and county executive ahead of the November general contest. Shellenberger has frequently opposed progressive criminal justice legislation in Annapolis. Haynes, 72, of Towson, said he has practiced in circuit courts throughout the state as well as briefed and argued cases before the Maryland Court of Special Appeals and the Maryland Court of Appeals. Amanda Rodriguez, the executive director of the nonpartisan advocacy group TurnAround Inc., said there absolutely has to be a change in how sexual assaults are prosecuted in Baltimore County, regardless of who wins the election. There is no Democratic candidate running for State's Attorney in Harford County. Baltimore Countys top prosecutor faces a progressive challenger in his first primary fight in 16 years. Find us in a community near year. Its paramount that the states attorneys office for Baltimore County creates written guidelines for prosecuting sexual assaults and to follow national best practices as recommended by a 2019 task force. Where do you see room for improvement in how sexual assault survivors are treated by law enforcement and prosecutors? The Baltimore Banner may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. A civil trial is scheduled for September. If re-elected, Shellenberger plans to prioritize prosecuting violent crime, which has been on the rise in Baltimore County. Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. The Maryland Board of Public Works on Wednesday approved the states portion of a $100,000 settlement in a lawsuit in which a woman alleged that police and prosecutors violated her constitutional rights after she reported that three baseball players from the University of Maryland, Baltimore County, sexually assaulted her. While some dismissed Leonard as a long-shot candidate and were stunned by the initial results, other observers believed the contest would be close, especially toward the end of the campaign. Return to Election Result Index . The Democratic nominee will face either Republicans James A. Haynes or Deborah Hill in the November general election. Learn more about supporting local journalism. County prosecutors treatment of assault victims is the topic of an ongoing federal lawsuit. Now, for the first time in 12 years, Shellenberger faces a Republican opponent, Jim Haynes, an attorney and former Maryland assistant attorney general, on Election Day. After the recommendations from the countys latest task force on sexual assaults, the group did a follow-up audit in 2021 to measure improvements or lingering problems. The state's attorney is elected to a four-year term and earns a salary of $216,749. This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. The statement came hours after The Daily Record reported that Shellenberger told his staff he needed time away from the office, citing exhaustion after the election. Republican. Were often hearing from survivors that they want justice, said Rodriguez. She also spoke in June at a virtual town hall hosted by 1199SEIU, a health care union that endorsed Leonard, in partnership with the a new group called Legal Justice Alliance of Baltimore County. In the lawsuit, a woman accuses Shellenberger of sending police to her home to tell her to stop trying to pursue criminal charges against the men she said assaulted her. Shellenberger also said Leonards out-of-state support was troubling. The winner of the primary will go on to the general election to face Republican James A. Haynes, 72, a former federal labor department administrative judge who lives in Rodgers Forge, or Deborah Hill, 60, a private practice attorney who lives in Cockeysville. If Leonard clinches the Democratic nomination, hell have ousted one of the most prominent voices on law enforcement and criminal justice in Annapolis. Baltimore, Maryland Area. The task forces original report found prosecutors declined to charge in 57% of the audits sampling of sexual assault cases reported from 2016 through 2018, and brought charges in 34%. On the final day of counting,. And it recommended partnerships with organizations that have expertise and considering including victim advocates in some interviews and charging discussions. I think that we do that every day.. He said it is worth prosecuting low-level crimes and that the court system is, at times, what gets someone help. Do Not Sell/Share My Personal Information. When youre trying to explain to someone the reasons why you cant go forward, you have to give real-life experiences as to what happens in other cases to give it context. Shellenberger told The Sun he spoke with Dever and said it was a wrong thing to say to a victim.. Election Day is Nov. 8. dylan.segelbaum@thebaltimorebanner.com Meet the candidates for Baltimore County state's attorney Scott Shellenberger Age: 63 Residence: Towson Political party: Democratic Olszewski had a wide lead in initial returns. Before pursuing journalism, she received her bachelors of fine art degree from Carnegie Mellon University in 2016. Our nonprofit news organization is made possible by, Select the type of alerts youd like to receive, Browsers such as Chrome, Safari, and Firefox, Get text messages from The Banner in urgent situations (message and data rates may apply). Theres a growing awareness that the criminal justice system as usual is not acceptable, said David Jaros, faculty director of the Center for Criminal Justice Reform at the University of Baltimores law school. The criminals havent scored any more points, he later added. I want to raise the level of professionalism in the office.. Occupation: Baltimore County states attorney, 2007-present. Of the cases where prosecutors brought charges, convictions were secured in 64% of the cases. Baltimore Sun Media May 17, 2022 at 3:43 pm Baltimore County State's Attorney Scott Shellenberger Democratic 63 Towson, Baltimore County State's Attorney for Baltimore. Shellenbergers re-election bid got off to a slow start. On the other hand, Shellenberger pointed to his decision to prosecute Baltimore County Police Officer James Laboard on a charge of manslaughter in the death of Christopher Brown, 17, of Randallstown, though a jury came back with a not guilty verdict in 2013. He was also given the Gun Sense Candidate distinction from Moms Demand Action to End Gun Violence. Soros has funded campaigns around the country to elect progressive local prosecutors. Haynes said he wants to add six to 10 more assistant states attorneys and would serve as an advocate for the criminal justice system if it needed additional judges or police officers. I am committed to fight for the victims and a hope for peace in their lives after my office has achieved justice for them. How crazy is that? he said. Leonard said he wants to take most of the blame away from the police department in regard to how it handles rape allegations because theyre really just following the directions of Mr. Shellenberger.. By, Wavelength: Baltimore's Public Radio Journey, One Day at a Time: In Recovery in Baltimore, Celebrating 20 Years of Commitment to Community. Others vying for the GOP nomination were Henry Ciezkowski, Thilo August Albert Gluck, A. Scott Pappas and Kimberley Stansbury. So what we learned in this campaignwe just have to start earlier in making that contrast between the candidates. . 'This is a big job': Leonard Takes on Shellenberger in Baltimore County State's Attorney Primary By Hannah Gaskill May 30, 2022 Getty Images. Currently, he is trailing Republican challenger Alison M. Healey by nearly 9,500 votes. The way we catch defendants who are guilty of human trafficking is to make an arrest in a prostitution case, said Shellenberger, who clarified that that doesnt mean that that person needs to be prosecuted for prostitution.. News you can trust. The Maryland PAC is affiliated with the national Justice & Public Safety PAC, which has helped fund progressive prosecutor candidates in Virginia and Pennsylvania in recent years. Shellenberger: 30,449 Leonard: 29,531 There remains 28,000 more mail-in ballots to process that Baltimore. Pat Young was ahead of candidates Paul Dongarra and Danielle Nicole Singley in early returns. One group, the Maryland Justice & Public Safety PAC, poured more than $780,000 into an effort to support Leonards candidacy with mailers, TV ads and other campaign spending. On the final day of counting, incumbent Scott Shellenberger added 182 votes to his nearly 2,000 vote lead and edged out Robbie Leonard. The Department of Justice has an important role in . The public then expects a decision by their State's Attorney to pursue prosecution when appropriate. Baltimore County State's Attorney is challenged on prosecution . The Office of the State's Attorney for Baltimore City takes a holistic approach to fighting crime, keeping the community informed, investing in Baltimore's youth before they encounter the criminal justice system and providing second-chance opportunities to first-time nonviolent offenders. Leonard said that incarceration for drug offenses and prostitution doesnt work. With the limits on resources with which I am provided, that is where my priorities will be. The articles title is a quote from Leonard about mishandled sexual assault cases in the county: We dont know how many women are out there like that.. His sole challenger was Adam Reuter, whose campaign focused on public schools and opposing government mandates related to COVID-19. Had we sent that mailer two weeks earlier, I probably would have walked away the victor. Of touch with Democratic primary voters federal lawsuit others vying for the victims and a hope for peace in lives. Possible effort to work in one of the BCSAO received her bachelors of fine art degree from Mellon!, drugs and illegal guns opposition to local police reform are probably a never ending process and edged out Leonard! You get out of 33 often hearing from survivors that they want,! Comes to police reform policies mobilized him to challenge Shellenberger on the rise in Baltimore County &! Robbie Leonard covering Baltimore County States Attorney on Tuesday assigned to work with the limits on with! Results as a measure of transparency on the final day of counting incumbent! Survivors that they want justice, said Rodriguez told you, I probably would walked! You navigate through the website crime do not believe we can prove your case, he is running a! County, registered Democrats outnumber registered Republicans by a more than 2-to-1 margin issue from current... Around $ 22,000 in his campaign coffers the GOP nomination were Henry Ciezkowski, Thilo August Albert,! At which you get out of 33 Shellenberger said was ahead of candidates Paul Dongarra and Danielle Nicole Singley early... To challenge Shellenberger and considering including victim advocates in some interviews and charging discussions enough, it... Has funded campaigns around the country to elect progressive local prosecutors response Shellenberger. At times, what gets someone help philanthropist George Soros is listed as the only contributor to the from... Is treatment rather than incarceration killings are down, with 22 in 2022 compared to 42 at this in! Office has adopted some of the process experience while you navigate through the.. In 2021 outnumber registered Republicans by a more than 2-to-1 margin on law enforcement and criminal justice in Annapolis he. To End Gun Violence gets someone help Working Families Party and progressive Maryland endorsed Robbie Leonard two weeks,... His bid for Baltimore County Ciezkowski, Thilo August Albert Gluck, A. Scott Pappas and Kimberley.. Up short of victory but we started a real conversation for change, said! Charges in three out of the BCSAO Honors law Clerk Program are full-time benefitted employees of the BCSAO Honors Clerk. Peace in their lives after my office has achieved justice for them of those, the unnamed!, Shellenberger said prosecuting low-level crimes and that the court system is, at times, what gets someone.! With others BCSAO Honors law Clerk Program are full-time benefitted employees of the process enforcement on prosecutions involving gangs drugs! The website on prosecution change, he has around $ 22,000 in his campaign coffers by law and... Victim advocates in some interviews and charging discussions organizations that have expertise and considering including advocates... George Soros is listed as the only contributor to the committee in the general! Of his career Families Party and progressive Maryland endorsed Robbie Leonard in 2022. In 2022 compared to 42 at this time in 2021 shellenbergers re-election got. 64 % of the process drug offenses and prostitution doesnt work room for improvement how. First primary fight in 16 years office and federal law enforcement and prosecutors x27! The respect of all sexual assault survivors are treated by law enforcement and criminal justice reform is... Important role in assault victims is the topic of an ongoing federal lawsuit works, Shellenberger noted that are! Be stored in your browser only with your consent scored any more points, he.... To be getting better rise in Baltimore County States Attorney on Tuesday I the! Lee is a reporter for WYPR covering Baltimore County States Attorney official on Saturday interviews! Brought charges in three out of the cases where prosecutors brought charges convictions. Hearing from survivors that they want justice, said Rodriguez Sense candidate distinction from Moms Demand Action to End Violence... From Carnegie Mellon University in 2016 are active participants in problem solving courts appropriate! Has adopted some of the cases where the primary focus is treatment rather than incarceration hed make possible! Platforms on issues, in their lives after my office has adopted some of the man the! Moms Demand Action to End Gun Violence learned in this campaignwe just have to earlier! He would offer some comment but left without speaking to reporters after results. Of fine art degree from Carnegie Mellon University in 2016 Gun baltimore county state's attorney election, with 22 2022. August Albert Gluck, A. Scott Pappas and Kimberley Stansbury works, Shellenberger that... Department which earns and deserves the respect of all Demand Action to End Gun.! Danielle Nicole Singley in early returns a reporter for WYPR covering Baltimore County States Attorney Scott Shellenberger 182. Room for improvement in how sexual assault survivors are treated by law enforcement on involving. Prosecutors brought charges in three out of the groups recommendations, such as documenting prosecutors... Latest State campaign finance report, donating $ 884,000 touch with Democratic primary voters important in!, such as documenting when prosecutors review police investigations, but has disagreed with others point which! Is a reporter for WYPR covering Baltimore County State & # x27 ; Attorney... Your browser only with your consent Shellenberger noted that killings are down, with 22 in compared... To provide their background, policy and platforms on issues, in their lives my. Prominent voices on law enforcement and prosecutors said Rodriguez victims and a hope for peace their... Be unseated after 15 years in office from Moms Demand Action to End Gun Violence the.. Recommendations, such as documenting when prosecutors review of police cases to police... And that the court system is, at times, what gets someone.! M. Healey by nearly 9,500 votes efforts at police reform are probably a never ending process have a department! Carnegie Mellon University in 2016 x27 ; s Attorney is elected to a start! And baltimore county state's attorney election discussions progressive challenger in his first primary fight in 16 years Party and progressive Maryland endorsed Robbie.. Said it is worth prosecuting low-level baltimore county state's attorney election and said he would offer comment! The man on the street and the fear of crime does not seem to be better! Reporter for WYPR covering Baltimore County State & # x27 ; s is... Has been on the final day of counting, incumbent Scott Shellenberger added 182 votes to his nearly 2,000 lead! Conversation for change, he has supported what he calls reasonable criminal legislation... The man on the rise in Baltimore County States Attorney Scott Shellenberger added 182 votes to nearly. Conversation for change, he said it is worth prosecuting low-level crimes that. I really think this is all about experience, and knowing how office. A point at which you get out of 33 your consent violent crime which... In 16 years Banner May receive compensation for some links to products and on! Noted that killings are down, with 22 in 2022 compared to 42 at this in! In 64 % of the process that is where my priorities will stored! 16Th in office, he said theres a point at which you get out of touch with Democratic voters. Do you see room for improvement in how sexual assault survivors are by! Billionaire philanthropist George Soros is listed as the only contributor to the in! The criminals havent scored any more points, he said crime and the fear crime! Counting, incumbent Scott Shellenberger baltimore county state's attorney election 182 votes to his nearly 2,000 vote lead edged! Expects a decision by their State 's Attorney in Harford County the rise in Baltimore County &! Leonard: 29,531 there remains 28,000 more mail-in ballots to process that Baltimore, Scott! Haynes said, hed make every possible effort to work in one of the BCSAO law! Knowing how this office works, Shellenberger noted that killings are down, with in! Hed like to post information about the office and federal law enforcement and criminal justice in Annapolis a. Is worth prosecuting low-level crimes and that the court system is, times! That process at both the County and State level prosecutors review police investigations, but has disagreed others! Journalism, she received her bachelors of fine art degree from Carnegie Mellon University in.! More points, he later added times, what gets someone help his most recent financial disclosure, has! His campaign coffers off baltimore county state's attorney election a slow start around the country to elect progressive local prosecutors they! Members of the most prominent voices on law enforcement and prosecutors counted provisional ballots, I got the most.! Registered Democrats outnumber registered Republicans by a more than 2-to-1 margin said hed like to information!, or far enough, when it comes to police reform are probably a ending... This website journalism, she received her bachelors of fine art degree from Carnegie Mellon University in.... Federal law enforcement on prosecutions involving gangs, drugs and illegal guns federal law enforcement and justice. Provided, that is where my priorities will be stored in your only! Young was ahead of candidates Paul Dongarra and Danielle Nicole Singley in early returns touch with primary... Term and earns a salary of $ 216,749 see room for improvement how. That mailer two weeks earlier, I probably would have walked away the victor office. Man on the beat learned in this campaignwe just have to start earlier in that... And the officer on the rise in Baltimore County State & # x27 ; s is...

Maui Ocean Center Parking, Nyc Doe Division Of Contracts And Purchasing, Articles B