Divisions

The Charging Division serves as the Baltimore City State's Attorney's Office's 24/7 intake and screening hub, ensuring that every arrest in Baltimore City is evaluated on a legally sound and factually supported foundation. Established in 1999, the Division operates around the clock—including nights, weekends, and holidays—as the first point of contact for reviewing all documentation submitted by law enforcement following an arrest.

A team of experienced attorneys and paralegals examines each case to determine whether charges should be filed, modified, or declined, applying the principles of law to the facts presented. This review includes assessing the completeness and quality of evidence, identifying violent repeat offenders, and ensuring that serious felonies—particularly violent and firearm-related offenses—receive heightened scrutiny.

As part of this process, the Division prepares bail recommendations aimed at promoting both public safety and fairness. For cases involving violent felonies, firearm offenses, or other high-risk circumstances, prosecutors provide informed recommendations to Court Commissioners and Judges regarding pretrial release or detention. The team also staffs District Court Bail Review Hearings.

The Charging Division works collaboratively with local, state, and federal law enforcement partners to ensure that the most accurate, up-to-date information is incorporated into every screening decision. By maintaining consistency across thousands of charging decisions each year and grounding each determination in reliable data, the Division strengthens accountability, enhances public safety, and supports a more just process for both the public and the accused.

The Cold Case Unit (CCU) is dedicated to pursuing justice in long unsolved homicide cases by conducting thorough reinvestigations grounded in today’s advanced forensic tools and investigative methods. Established in April 2024, the Unit reexamines homicides that remain open pending new evidence, applying “fresh eyes” to cases that were not resolved through traditional investigative means. 

CCU investigators review existing case files, reinterview witnesses, reassess physical and digital evidence that may not have been analyzable at the time, and pursue modern scientific testing to uncover overlooked or newly relevant details. Because progress in cold cases often occurs incrementally, the goal is not only to solve cases outright but to advance investigations in meaningful ways—small developments can lead to major breakthroughs and provide long awaited answers to families.  

The Unit operates within the Homicide Unit and works in close coordination with the Baltimore Police Department Cold Case Unit to ensure cohesion, specialization, and access to the most accurate and current information available. This collaborative approach strengthens investigative quality, enhances public trust, and reaffirms the agency’s commitment to ensuring that no homicide case is forgotten, no matter how much time has passed.

To submit a cold case tip, community members may visit Metro Crime Stoppers or contact the Baltimore Police Department Homicide Unit at 410‑396‑2100.

The Conviction Integrity Unit (CIU), the oldest and most active unit of its kind in Maryland, is dedicated to safeguarding the fairness and accuracy of criminal justice outcomes. It fulfills this mission by conducting detailed, impartial reviews of post conviction claims—including assertions of factual innocence, potential sentencing concerns, and other issues that may call a conviction into question. 

The CIU is made up of three subunits:

• Conviction Integrity Program (CIP): Reviews factual innocence claims, actual innocence petitions, Juvenile Restoration Act (JUVRA) matters, and other posttrial concerns.
• Violations of Probation (VOP): Handles probation violations, expungements, and other post sentencing issues. 
• Civil Administrative / OAH Unit: Manages civil matters before the Office of Administrative Hearings and expungements filed in Circuit Court. 

Working with attorneys, courts, and forensic experts, the CIU ensures that each claim is evaluated thoroughly and fairly. 

Applying to the Conviction Integrity Program (CIP) 

To qualify for CIP review, the following basic criteria must be met:

• The conviction must have occurred in Baltimore City.
• The applicant must be asserting factual innocence.
• The claim must not be based solely on procedural trial errors.
• The applicant must be represented by an attorney or be able to secure legal representation. 

To submit a claim, applicants must complete a CIP Application Form and Agreement Form and submit them via email or regular mail. Please include:

• Defendant’s name
• Case number(s)
• Specific innocence claim (e.g., alibi witness, new forensic evidence, mistaken identification)
• Any additional information that may assist in evaluating the claim 

Email submissions: 
CIP@stattorney.org

Regular mail submissions:

Conviction Integrity Program
Baltimore City State’s Attorney’s Office
120 East Baltimore Street
Baltimore, MD 21202 

The Criminal Investigations Division is vital to the successful prosecution of criminal cases within the BCSAO.   The division searches and identifies case facts performing a variety of duties, including serving subpoenas, locating witnesses and victims, conducting taped statements upon request, escorting Assistant State’s Attorney’s to and from court for high profile cases, investigating juvenile offenders, and testifying in court. Investigators are cross trained in all areas supported by the Investigation Division. The Criminal Investigation Division is particularly critical to the work of the Economic Crimes Unit investigating financial crime and elder abuse, as well case preparation for the Special Victims Unit.

The District Court Division prosecutes all misdemeanor crimes and incarcerable traffic offenses in Baltimore City. Prosecutors handle high volume dockets, work with victims and witnesses, and support specialty courts that connect individuals to treatment and services. 

The Division operates out of three District Courthouses, each serving specific police districts. 

Wabash District Courthouse

5800 Wabash Avenue

Main: 410-878-8000 | SAO Office: 410-878-816
TTY: 1-800-735-2258 | Toll Free: 1-800-939-4523 

Police Districts Served: Northern, Northwest, and Western 

Specialty functions at this site include Adult Recovery Court and the Civilian Review Unit. 

Eastside District Courthouse

1400 E. North Avenue

Main: 410-878-8500 | SAO Office: 410-878-8440
Domestic Violence: 410-396-7444
TTY: 1-800-735-2258 | Toll Free: 1-800-939-4523 

Police Districts Served: Northeast, Eastern, and Southeast 

This location also houses Veterans Court and the Domestic Violence Unit. 

Hargrove District Courthouse

700 E. Patapsco Avenue

Main: 410-878-8300 | SAO Office: 410-878-8575
TTY: 1-800-735-2258 | Toll Free: 1-800-939-4525 

Police Districts Served: Central, Southern, and Southwest

All Maryland State Police cases This courthouse also hosts Mental Health Court and handles bail reviews for women and juveniles. 

The Baltimore City Adult Drug Treatment Court (DTC), established in 1994, is a collaborative program that supports individuals whose nonviolent offenses are connected to substance use. Through partnerships with public, private, and nonprofit agencies, DTC provides intensive supervision, judicial monitoring, and a full continuum of substance abuse treatment. The program also takes a holistic approach by offering vocational and educational assistance, life skills training, and additional services that address the underlying causes of addiction and criminal behavior, helping participants make meaningful lifestyle changes and reintegrate successfully into the community. 

Each participant is supported by a multidisciplinary team—including treatment coordinators, professional peers, specialized probation agents, the Judge, Drug Court Coordinator, Assistant State’s Attorney, Assistant Public Defender, Clinical Care Coordinator, Probation Officer, and Case Manager—who tailor and adjust individualized treatment plans throughout the program. A dedicated Drug Treatment Court Prosecutor and paralegal manage screening, ensure appropriate referrals, and oversee case entry and all DTC progress review hearings. 

The Economic Crimes Unit investigate and prosecutes major theft, employee embezzlement, insurance fraud, public assistance fraud, elder financial exploitation, counterfeiting , arson with a suspected financial motive and other white-collar criminal matters. 

Some of the most challenging cases investigated and prosecuted by the Economic Crimes Unit involve the financial exploitation of vulnerable adults. The victims in these cases may be deceased or have diminished cognitive abilities reducing their ability to effectively cooperate in the investigation and prosecution. The perpetrators tend to be individuals close to the victim –families, friends, caregivers, neighbors and trusted professionals, including financial professionals, attorneys and fiduciary agents – further complicating the case.

If you believe that you or someone you know has become a victim of an economic crime, please contact our office at 443-984-6000.

Below is a list of additional resources available to you.

Report Fraud:  ReportFraud.ftc.gov

Report Identity Theft:  IdentityTheft.gov

Report Scam Phone Calls:  National Do Not Call Registry

Report Abuse of Vulnerable Adults:  Adult Protective Services - Maryland Department of Human Services

If you believe that you may have been a victim identity theft or fraud, you may contact any one of the three credit reporting services and request a copy of your credit report. If you find items that you did not authorize, you may file a dispute and place a fraud alert on your report to prevent future miss-use of your personal information.

Equifax: Visit Equifax online or call 1-888-836-6351

Experian: Visit Experian online or call 1-888-397-3742

TransUnion: Visit TransUnion online or call 1-800-680-7289

The Evidence Review Unit (ERU) supports prosecutions across the Office by collecting, organizing, reviewing, and preparing a wide range of digital and forensic evidence. Formed in 2015 with the launch of the Baltimore Police Department’s Body Worn Camera program, the Unit now manages evidence from numerous local, state, county, and campus law enforcement partners. 

ERU obtains and processes critical materials—including body worn camera footage, surveillance video, 911 recordings, forensic laboratory reports, crime scene photographs, and other digital files—and ensures they are properly cataloged, redacted when necessary, and ready for use in court. 

By maintaining strong partnerships with regional forensic laboratories and law enforcement agencies, the Unit helps build accurate, well supported cases and ensures that evidence is handled with transparency, consistency, and legal compliance. 

The Community Engagement Unit for the BCSAO serves as the face and voice of the office, communicating the work being done on behalf of the residents of Baltimore to them while offering as a conduit for them to communicate their feelings, issues and concerns back to the office through our dedicated liaisons. Representing the entire City, this unit has nine representatives who represent each of the city’s police districts, and works collaboratively with BPD command staff and officers, representatives of the nine Community Relations Council, as well as the dozens of community association and resident council groups across Baltimore.   

Their main function is to give the BCSAO a presence in the community, communicating office related matters including but not limited to recent convictions, upcoming events, crime data information including Citations issued and prosecuted, as well as connecting them with the necessary stakeholders within the office and city government.  

The Government and Legislative Affairs Unit serves as the organization’s policy and political liaison, bridging prosecutorial work with the legislative and political processes that shape laws and regulations. The unit works with community stakeholders, local legislators, and division leaders to identify and prioritize legislation that impacts the criminal justice system or the community. It prepares and advocates for legislative proposals of interest to the office, often in anticipation of annual legislative sessions. The unit may lobby legislators, testify before committees, and build coalitions to advance prosecutorial positions or address systemic issues in the justice system. They coordinate with other state agencies, local governments, and elected officials to align prosecutorial priorities with broader policy goals.  

The Youth and Young Adults Unit is designed to address the unique legal, developmental, and social needs of individuals under the age of 18 and, in some cases those between 18 and 25, as with our upcoming Baltimore Emerging Adults Program (BEAP). Its purpose is to balance accountability for justice system involvement with rehabilitation, prevention, and long-term success. We seek to review and consider diversion programs, community-based services, and restorative justice approaches to avoid unnecessary incarceration.  

The Felony Trial Division prosecutes a wide range of serious felony offenses in Baltimore City, including armed robbery, carjacking, aggravated assault, burglary, and attempted murder. Prosecutors in this division manage cases from the initial charging decision through trial and sentencing, ensuring each matter is handled with strong preparation, fairness, and attention to public safety priorities. 

Working closely with investigative partners—including the Baltimore Police Department and other local and state law enforcement agencies—the division develops comprehensive case strategies, evaluates complex evidence, negotiates plea agreements when appropriate, and presents cases at trial. 

The division’s broad caseload helps cultivate highly skilled prosecutors with experience across many felony categories, preparing them for possible advancement into specialized units. Through thorough case development and consistent collaboration with victims, witnesses, and partner agencies, the Felony Trial Division plays a central role in holding violent offenders accountable and promoting safer communities. 

The Firearms & Drug Trafficking Unit investigates and prosecutes major felony gun and narcotics cases in Baltimore City, with a focus on dismantling the criminal networks responsible for violence and largescale drug distribution. Prosecutors handle complex cases involving heroin, fentanyl, and other dangerous substances, as well as firearm offenses and wide ranging conspiracy investigations. 

Prosecutors are assigned to specific areas of the city, allowing for deeper collaboration with local law enforcement partners. The unit works closely with the Baltimore Police Department and federal agencies—including the FBI, DEA, ATF, the Maryland Attorney General’s Office, and the U.S. Attorney’s Office—and participates in the federally funded HIDTA program. 

Prosecutors evaluate financial and communications evidence, analyze organizational structures, and develop comprehensive strategies to target the sources of gun violence and illegal drug markets. The unit also supports treatment-based alternatives for certain first-time offenders through Drug Court, promoting both accountability and rehabilitation. 

Prosecutors in the BCSAO’s Gun Violence Enforcement Division (GVED) are responsible for investigating and prosecuting crimes of violence committed with a firearm; complex multi-defendant cases involving gun violence; and mastering all relevant gun enforcement laws.  The Division is also responsible for significant investigations involving violent repeat offenders and individuals who disproportionately contribute to violence within Baltimore City. GVED is unique in that it also has embedded Detectives from the Baltimore City Police Department that work side by side with GVED prosecutors. 

The Homicide Division is responsible for prosecuting all homicide cases in Baltimore City, including murder, manslaughter, vehicular homicide, and related post conviction matters. The unit follows a vertical prosecution model, meaning each case is handled by the same prosecutor from the earliest investigative steps through trial, sentencing, and any subsequent proceedings. 

Prosecutors are on call 24/7 to respond to homicide scenes, support detectives, review warrants, assess investigative needs, and interview witnesses. Early involvement ensures that cases are built on strong, legally sound foundations and that critical evidence is preserved. 

The division works closely with the Baltimore Police Department Homicide Unit, forensic experts, and federal and state law enforcement partners to develop comprehensive case strategies. A dedicated victim advocacy team provides consistent communication, immediate outreach, and ongoing support to families throughout the judicial process. 

Through meticulous case preparation, close collaboration with investigators, and a victim centered approach, the Homicide Division ensures that the city’s most serious crimes are prosecuted with diligence, sensitivity, and unwavering commitment to justice. 

The Juvenile Division is responsible with the handling of cases that involve youth, under the age of 18, who are charged with a criminal matter. The Division works closely with the Department of Juvenile Services (DJS), the Baltimore Police Department (BPD) and the public to try and curb future criminal behaviors. The Juvenile Division, located in the Baltimore City Juvenile Justice Center, handles everything associated with a case from investigation, charging and prosecution.  

There are three pillars to the juvenile justice system: accountability, rehabilitation and public safety. The goal of the system is to hold youth, who commit an offense, accountable for his/her actions, to provide rehabilitative services through DJS, while ensuring public safety.  It is the goal of our office to make sure that the community is safe, first and foremost, while balancing the needs of the youth. 

The Major Investigations Unit (MIU) is responsible for identifying, investigating, and prosecuting the most dangerous and organized criminal groups operating in Baltimore City. The unit focuses on gang activity, complex homicides, large scale narcotics conspiracies, and other long term, intelligence driven investigations. 

MIU brings together investigators and analysts from numerous local, state, and federal law enforcement partners, including task force collaborations designed to dismantle criminal networks driving violence in the city. Prosecutors in the unit coordinate surveillance, digital evidence review, confidential informant operations, and multi agency enforcement strategies to build high impact cases. 

Data analysts embedded in the unit support investigations by mapping criminal networks, examining trends, and analyzing communications, financial records, and other digital evidence. The unit also includes prosecutors cross designated as Special Assistant United States Attorneys, allowing appropriate cases to be brought federally when longer sentences or enhanced tools are available. 

Through coordinated intelligence work, deep investigative partnerships, and strategic prosecution, MIU targets the individuals and organizations most responsible for violent crime and narcotics distribution in Baltimore City. 

The Misdemeanor Jury Trial (MJT) Unit prosecutes cases that originate in District Court but are transferred to Circuit Court when defendants request (“pray”) a jury trial. The unit also handles certain handgun related misdemeanors and District Court appeals. 

Prosecutors in the MJT Unit prepare cases involving a wide range of misdemeanor offenses, with particular focus on matters involving firearms. Their responsibilities include evaluating evidence, engaging in pretrial negotiations, preparing cases for trial, and working closely with law enforcement partners to ensure cases are ready for presentation before a jury. 

The unit strives to balance accountability with rehabilitative opportunities by collaborating with service providers and exploring treatment or diversion programs when appropriate. Through careful case review and a commitment to fair outcomes, the MJT Unit supports both community safety and meaningful intervention for eligible defendants. 

The Post Conviction Litigation Unit (PCLU) ensures that justice and accountability continue beyond conviction by defending the Office’s cases during post conviction proceedings. The unit reviews trial records in detail, responds to legal challenges, and litigates hearings in Baltimore City courts. 

PCLU attorneys evaluate claims alleging constitutional, procedural, or legal error and work closely with trial units, investigators, and justice system partners to ensure convictions remain lawful, accurate, and supported by the record. While the unit’s primary role is to uphold convictions reached through fair process, it also identifies rare instances where correction is necessary to maintain integrity and justice. 

Through thorough case review, clear legal analysis, and precise courtroom advocacy, the PCLU plays a key role in preserving the integrity of criminal convictions and reinforcing confidence in the judicial process. 

The Public Trust and Police Integrity Unit (PTPIU) is comprised of experienced trial attorneys, who fairly and objectively analyze and, when necessary, prosecute cases against police officers. The primary function of the PTPIU is to independently investigate complaints of unnecessary or excessive force, or any other act that may be corrupt or illegal. 

Any law enforcement officer of any law enforcement agency acting within Baltimore City is subject to the review of the PTPIU.  However, as the majority of law enforcement work done within the city is by the Baltimore Police Department (BPD), the PTPIU attorneys and their staff review and monitor all BPD Internal Affairs matters, and select and follow up on those cases that may warrant independent investigation. The PTPIU attorneys and staff also handle all cases brought against law enforcement officers whether on or off duty. 

On a day to day basis, the primary goal of the PTPIU is to hold police officers accountable for their actions. The long term goal of the PTPIU is to restore public trust and confidence in law enforcement and the entire criminal justice system.  

The Office of the State's Attorney is one of the most transparent prosecution offices in the state, if not the nation.  In the past, we have publicly posted explanations of prosecutorial decisions regarding in-custody deaths.  However, in the 2023 General Assembly legislative session, the authority to investigate and prosecute law enforcement officers for in-custody deaths was transferred to the Office of the Attorney General. 

The Special Victims Unit (SVU) is dedicated to protecting the most vulnerable citizens of Baltimore through the prosecution of sex offense, child abuse, intimate partner violence, vulnerable adult abuse, and human trafficking cases. SVU has an office at Eastside Courthouse and at the SAO main building located at 120 E. Baltimore Street.  SVU utilizes a victim-centered approach to prosecution that seeks to minimize re-traumatization by providing the support of victim witness coordinators and social workers who are present throughout the criminal justice process to address survivors’ well-being and safety.