Queen Anne's County State's Attorney
ABOUT THE OFFICE: He or she is the chief law enforcement officer for the county and prosecutes all jailable motor vehicle cases, in addition to criminal, juvenile and certain civil zoning and animal control violations that occur with Queen Anne’s County. The State’s Attorney must be a member of the Maryland Bar.TERM: Four years with no term limitsSALARY: $161,333.
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Lance G. Richardson
(Rep)
QUALIFICATIONS: What professional background and specific experience prepare you to serve as State’s Attorney, and how would you apply that experience in this role?
CRIMINAL JUSTICE REFORM: What is your plan to expand restorative justice practices and alternatives to traditional prosecution in Queen Anne’s County?
PRETRIAL JUSTICE AND BAIL: What is your position on bail reform and pretrial detention, and why?
PUBLIC SAFETY: What is your top priority for improving public safety in Queen Anne’s County, and what specific actions would you take?
CIVIL LIBERTIES AND RULE OF LAW: What steps would you take to ensure law enforcement partners uphold constitutional rights and due process for all persons?
Campaign Phone
4104906826
I have over thirty years of experience in the field of criminal law. I have served as the State's Attorney for Queen Anne's County since January, 2009. Before that I was a Deputy State's Attorney for six years. Previous to serving the State's Attorney's Office I was an assistant public defender for seven years. This previous experience has allowed me to prosecute the most serious crimes.
My office utilizes several diversion programs for non-violent offenders to allow these individuals to avoid a criminal record. These programs educate and enlighten offenders and the programs offer a second chance to avoid the stigma of a criminal record which typically creates collateral negative consequences for employment, housing and even motor vehicle privileges.
Queen Anne's County has a robust Pre-Trial Release Program which is administered by the Queen Anne's County Detention Center. This program allows most offenders to be released pending trial. Typically the only offenders who are not released are those with excessive numbers of prior failures to appear for trial, or offenders who are alleged to have committed the most violent crimes.
My office believes gun violence is the top priority for public safety. Recently there was a homicide involving the death of a local young man which was the result of young men exchanging gunfire. My Office believes that we have to hold violent offenders accountable and to make it a priority to take guns out of offenders' hands to remove these handguns from our community.
All of our law enforcement officers now wear and utilize body cameras as part of their daily equipment. Myself and my team of prosecutors review the law enforcement officers' video footage daily to ensure that civil liberties and constitutional rights of our citizens are being protected. I have placed certain officers on do not call list for integrity issues in the past and I will continue this
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