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Browse news coverage about the State’s Attorney’s Office.

Dan Rodricks: 18 items on the agenda for 2024 | STAFF COMMENTARY

Continued progress against gun violence in Baltimore. Significantly fewer lives were lost in 2023 after eight dreary years of 300-plus homicides each, and the trend is not merely organic. Several players made this happen: Anti-violence programs, like Roca, aimed directly at young men at highest risk of being shot (again, or for the first time); effective coordination of local, state and federal resources by the U.S. Attorney’s Office; successful prosecutions by the Maryland attorney general’s organized crime unit, and impressive results in homicide trials under Ivan Bates in his first year as Baltimore state’s attorney: As of Dec. 27, 136 guilty verdicts against 19 acquittals, according to his office.

Baltimore man to face re-trial for allegedly assaulting police sergeant, State's Attorney announces

“While I respect the jury’s partial verdict, my office will be pursuing the charges that they were hung on given the overwhelming evidence we have in this case and the egregious actions of the defendant captured on video,” said State’s Attorney Ivan Bates in the news release. “I am committed to doing everything in my power to achieve justice for Sgt. Ramberg, whose life has been impacted dramatically by the injuries sustained during this violent encounter with the defendant.”

Friday Focus: City State's Attorney Bates succeeds in increasing penalty for gun possession offenses

"We heard a lot of critics of the legislation talk about the notion that we wanted to just lock individuals up, put them in jail for longer periods of time. That's not the case." Galeano said. "a lot of times you have a period of probation along with it. We want to be able to give individuals who have clearly made a bad decision time and give the state time to implement services for that individual so that once they return they can make better choices and become a productive, and contributing member of the city." Galeano said.

State's Attorney Ivan Bates talks biggest challenge of 2023

The State's Attorney’s office also spearheaded legislation holding people accountable for gun laws, "It used to be if you had an illegal handgun, [and] you were 18 to 21, you receive five years; 21 and above, the penalty was three. Now the penalty for everything is five years."

Baltimore State's Attorney Ivan Bates addresses collaborative effort to tackle juvenile crime

"Before the victim is even spoken to or talked to, the case may be 60 days or older," Bates said. "That poor victim has had their car stolen, they've paid restitution, they've paid their insurance, they've done all of that, and now they are asked to be part of the process. For our young people, the research says they have swift and certain consequences and that's what we are trying to make sure we do."