FY 24 APPROVED OPERATING BUDGET

STATE'S ATTORNEY

ORIGIN/PURPOSE: The State's Attorney, created by Article V, Section 7 of the Maryland Constitution, represents the State in all criminal actions. Harford County pays the office's expenses. The State's Attorney is elected by the County voters to a four-year term with no term limit. He/she assists the police in investigating crime in Harford County. This Office presents certain criminal cases to the Grand Jury; acts as the jury's legal advisor and provides prosecutors for the Circuit, District and Juvenile Courts. The office participates in Harford County School programs. State's Attorneys also provide basic training to the County Sheriff's Academy and in-service training programs for various law enforcement agencies. The Office holds membership in the Harford County Task Force, the Harford County Child Advocacy Center, and the Harford County Family Justice Center. Through Federal and State grants, the State's Attorney provides assistance in establishing and enforcing child support orders and offers advocate services to victims of crime and their families. MISSION STATEMENT: THE MISSION OF THE STATE'S ATTORNEY'S OFFICE IS TO SEEK JUSTICE BY ENSURING THAT THE RIGHTS OF VICTIMS AND CITIZENS AND THE PUBLIC'S SAFETY ARE OUR NUMBER ONE PRIORITY THROUGH THE FAIR, VIGOROUS AND EFFICIENT ENFORCEMENT OF THE LAW IN SEEKING JUSTICE. WE SHALL SAFEGUARD THE RIGHTS AND REPUTATION OF THE INNOCENT. FY 24 GOALS: TO PROVIDE THE COMMUNITY WITH A QUICK EFFECTIVE WAY TO RECOVER LOSSES FROM BAD CHECKS, TO DIVERT POTENTIAL DEFENDANTS INTO A COUNSELING PROGRAM TO AVOID REPEAT OFFENSES AND CONCENTRATE PROSECUTION EFFORTS ON THOSE OFFENDERS WHO REFUSE TO COOPERATE WITH THE PROGRAM, AND TO LESSEN THE BURDEN ON THE COURT SYSTEM WHILE PRODUCING A SUCCESSFUL RESULT FOR THE VICTIM. TO PROVIDE FOR THE INVESTIGATION OF ALLEGATIONS OF CHILD MOLESTATION AND/OR EXPLOITATION WHILE MINIMIZING THE TRAUMA TO THE CHILD AND TO PROVIDE SERVICES AND RESOURCES TO THE ABUSED CHILD AND HIS/HER FAMILY WHILE ALWAYS ADVOCATING FOR THE CHILD'S NEEDS.

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