Newly elected State’s Attorney Wes Adams announced last week that he has taken the first steps in re-organizing the State’s Attorney’s Office for Anne Arundel County. Over the last three months, Mr. Adams met with partner agencies, including the County Executive’s Office, the Police Department, the Fire Department, Parole and Probation Division and a number of Judges, as well as existing staff and attorneys in the State’s Attorney’s Office and members of the public.
One of the primary conclusions was that there was an opportunity for the State’s Attorney’s Office to be more involved in the beginning phases of major criminal investigations. “By being on the scene, it allows us to be a partner with the first responders and investigators, and build relationships with the victims and witnesses, which together, produce efficiencies and accuracy in the administration of justice,” Mr. Adams said.
In addition, Mr. Adams announced today that he has hired three veterans of the legal community, with a combined 68 years of law enforcement and legal experience, to join his team. Mr. Jonathan Church has been hired as the Deputy State’s Attorney. Mr. Church has over 28 years of law enforcement experience. Previously, Mr. Church was the S.W.A.T. team leader for the Anne Arundel County Police Department before joining the State’s Attorney’s Office for Prince George’s County. As an Assistant State’s Attorney, Mr. Church prosecuted more than 40 homicides as well as multiple police corruption cases. Most recently, Mr. Church worked as the General Counsel for a Department of Defense intelligence agency.
Mr. Lawrence Scott has been hired as an Assistant State’s Attorney, and will have primary responsibility of administrating the State’s Attorney’s Office as well as interagency affairs. Mr. Scott has over 24 years of legal experience and is heavily involved in the Anne Arundel community. Prior to law school, Mr. Scott worked for the Department of Defense. “I have known Mr. Scott for over 20 years, he has one of the sharpest legal minds I know and, in addition, has strong relationships with the agencies we interact with on a daily basis,” Mr. Adams said.
Jason Knight has been hired as an Assistant State’s Attorney and will lead a newly created unit to prosecute Anne Arundel County’s most dangerous offenders. Mr. Knight has over 16 years of experience in criminal law. Previously, Mr. Knight was an Assistant State’s Attorney in Baltimore City where he prosecuted over 100 jury trials and was a member of the elite Firearm Investigation and Violence Enforcement Unit, which focused on the most violent offenders. “Last year, the County experienced an increase in homicides. Under Mr. Knight’s leadership, we will get these offenders off the street and begin to reduce the number of homicides in the County,” Mr. Adams said.
Mr. Adams was sworn in on January 5th by the Circuit Court as the 13th State’s Attorney for Anne Arundel County. The State’s Attorney’s Office is an independent State Constitutionally created institution that is funded by the citizens of Anne Arundel County. The State’s Attorney is the chief law enforcement officer for the County. The Anne Arundel County State’s Attorney’s Office comprises 50-plus attorneys as well as victim and witness advocates, case managers, investigators and paralegals.
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