Not under normal circumstances.  Prosecutors called Assistant State's Attorneys (ASAs) usually prepare cases for trial and then present the evidence to the judge or jury.

If I am a victim in a case, is the Assistant State's Attorney handling the case my lawyer?

The State's Attorney's Office represents Baltimore City in criminal court. The Assistant State's Attorney does not have authority to prosecute civil cases on behalf of individual citizens.. 

Where can I park? Will I be reimbursed for parking and lunch?

Parking lots are available at the Wabash, North Avenue and Southern District Court locations. Parking is difficult to find and is limited in the downtown location for the Circuit Court of Baltimore City. There are parking meters for which you will need quarters, several lots on Fayette Street and garages on St. Paul and Lexington, Guilford and Fayette. To avoid the expense of parking, please consider taking the metro or a bus. Unfortunately, there are no funds available for reimbursement for parking or for lunch. If you decide to drive, park at a location that will remain open until at least 6:00pm or later. For more parking information please click here.

Can I speak with the Assistant State's Attorney (ASA) before the trial date?

Yes. If you have his/her number, you should call the ASA directly or click here for a list of our Office divisions.  If you have forgotten or do not know the name of the Assistant State's Attorney handling the case, please call the Community and Victim Services Division at (410) 396-1897.  Please have your summons or case number handy.

How do I find out about the status of a case?

You may contact the Assistant State's Attorney handling the case.  If you have his/her number you should call them directly or click here for a list of our Office divisions.  If you have forgotten or do not know the name of the Assistant State's Attorney handling the case, please call the Community and Victim Services Division at (410) 396-1897.  Please have your summons or case number handy.

Something of mine was stolen, yet I did not personally witness the crime.  Why do I have to come to court?

Witnesses are not limited to "eye witnesses".  As the owner of property, you have to state in court that you did not give permission for the defendant to use or take your property, as well as the value of any property that was damaged or stolen.  You may also know something about a piece of evidence, or may know something that contradicts defendants' testimony.  If you still wonder "why" you are testifying, you should ask the Assistant State's Attorney handling the case.

What should I do if I cannot attend the trial on the scheduled trial date? Can I be put on call to appear in court? 

Immediately contact the Assistant State's Attorney handling the case to discuss your conflict. In some cases, the prosecutor handling the case can put you "on call" (so that you can go to work or school on the day you are subpoenaed and you will be called at a pre-arranged phone number an hour or so before you are needed in court).  If you have his/her number you should call them directly or click here for a list of our Office Divisions.  If you have forgotten or do not know the name of the Assistant State's Attorney handling the case, please call the Community and Victim Services Division at (410) 396-1897.  Please have your summons or case number handy. If you do not appear, without receiving permission from the Assistant State's Attorney's, a warrant can be issued for your arrest.

Why do I have to come to court? Why can't I just give a written statement?

If you have received a witness summons or subpoena notifying you of the scheduled court date, the law requires you to appear on that date, unless you have been excused by a representative of the State's Attorney's Office.   If you do not appear, without receiving permission from the Assistant State's Attorney assigned to the case, a warrant could be issued for your arrest

What will happen if I don't show up on the trial date?

If you do not appear, without receiving permission from the Assistant State's Attorney, a warrant can be issued for your arrest.

May I bring a friend(s) for support? Are children welcome?

You may bring friends or relatives with you to court, and they can probably sit in the courtroom while you testify, unless they are also witnesses. However, please be aware that you might be required to remain in the courthouse for the entire day, causing children to become fidgety or restless.

Will the case last just one day?

It is possible for a trial to last anywhere from a couple of hours to a couple of weeks.  The attorney handling that case should be able to provide you with a rough estimation.  However, the Assistant State's Attorney is not in control of how long the trial will take.

I was the victim of a violent crime. Will the State's Attorney's Office pay for my hospital bill and lost wages?

The State's Attorney's Office cannot reimburse a victim.  Any claims need to be resolved by the Criminal Injuries Compensation Board, a State agency that provides financial assistance for innocent victims. Please call (410) 585-3010 to receive a claim form. If you need assistance in completing the form, you may contact the Baltimore City State's Attorney's Office Community and Victim Services Division at (410) 396-1897.

If a citizen sees a gun or hear gunshots, what should they do?

Call 911 immediately if a gun is seen or gunshots heard.  Also call (410) 685-GUNS.  (410) 685-GUNS accepts anonymous calls.  Citizens may be eligible for a reward from the police department. 

If I miss work to testify, will the State's Attorney's Office pay for my loss in wages?

No. Once summoned a witness must appear in Court, and, if called to the stand, must testify truthfully. It is a civic duty imposed upon all citizens in order to insure a just and fair judicial system.

What should individuals in the community do if a house in their community is suspected of being involved in drug activity?

If an individual is not receiving financial child support, what should they do?

Contact the Baltimore City Office of Child Support Enforcement (BCOCSE) at (410) 951-8000. BCOCSE will then attempt to resolve the case by consent, and if unsuccessful, prepare charging documents for filing with the Clerk of Court who will then refer the cases to the States Attorney's Office.

I am a victim in a criminal case and I want to drop the charges. Can I do that?

Many people incorrectly believe that a victim has the power to "press charges" against the abuser, or to later "drop the charges."  Only an attorney with State's Attorney Office can dismiss charges.  Although the decision whether to prosecute or not prosecute is ultimately up to the prosecutor, the victim's opinion is important, and those wishes may be taken into account when making the decision to continue or dismiss the case.  If you have concerns, you should speak immediately with the Assistant State's Attorney handling your case.

If I am a victim, how can I be notified of court dates?

In 1996, the Maryland Legislature passed a law that gave victims of violent crimes the right to be notified of all court proceedings and, if the offender is incarcerated, to be notified of his or her release from incarceration. Victims who wish to be notified should complete a Victim Notification form and return it to: Victim Services, 110 N. Calvert Street, Rm. 410, Baltimore, MD 21202. In addition Victim Information and Notification (VINE) is available in the Circuit and District Courts of Baltimore City. VINE is a free and anonymous telephone service that provides victims with information and notification. You may choose to register with VINE to receive automated telephone notification and custody status events by calling 1-866-MD4VINE. If you have questions about the Victim Notification or VINE, call the Victim Services Division at (410) 396-1897.  

How many times can a case be postponed?

Cases are postponed at the discretion of the court.  Many factors affect whether or not a postponement will be granted; therefore, there are no fixed number of times a case can be postponed.

What should I do if I am a witness in a case and someone threatens me to prevent my testimony?

Call the detective investigating your case IMMEDIATELY.  If you do not know the Detective's phone number, call your local 911 or 311 and ask them to put you in contact with that Detective.  Also, tell them that you want to make a report of witness intimidation and that you would like a police officer to come out and take a report. 

  If you are only able to another police officer who is not the detective(s) assigned to your case, give the police officer as much information about the case in which you are a witness and circumstances surrounding the threats.  This should include who the threatening person was, what connection that person has to the defendant, if you know, the exact nature of the threat, and if verbal, what exactly was said.  Also include any other important information, such as any actions that were made against you, physical contact, or destruction of property.  Let the police know the names and addresses of any witnesses to the intimidation, if known.

  DO NOT DESTROY ANY LETTERS OR ERASE ANY VOICE MAIL MESSAGES.  Save them and give them to your detective or police officer.

I have a complaint against your Office or one of the Assistant State's Attorney's in your office, how do I contact you and will you respond?

Write to the State's Attorney for Baltimore City.  This Office assures that the State's Attorney, or someone in authority, will contact you in writing or by telephone to discuss the facts of the situation or to schedule an appointment. Click here for Office address.

How can I get a speaker from the State's Attorney's Office?

For answers to this question, please click here.

How do I apply for a job at the State's Attorney's Office?

Click here for employment opportunities.

What if I have a question that is not answered on this page?

Please email the Office at mail@stattorney.org or contact our Community and Victim Services Division (410) 396-1897; however, be aware that our Office can only provide information on current or previously prosecuted cases.   We cannot give legal advice on cases not being tried in Baltimore City or private legal issues.