Witnesses and victims of crime do not get paid to come to court, Haynes said. . The public then expects a decision by their State's Attorney to pursue prosecution when appropriate. Currently, he is trailing Republican challenger Alison M. Healey by nearly 9,500 votes. No one thought we could take on a 16-year incumbent but look what we accomplished, said Leonard. Leonard, the first Democrat to challenge the incumbent since Shellenberger was first elected in 2006, criticized the states attorneys handling of such issues as sexual assaults, police shootings and other cases. We must endeavor to address the root causes of crime and help those driven by issues often out of their control. In Baltimore County, registered Democrats outnumber registered Republicans by a more than 2-to-1 margin. Shellenberger said his office doesnt collect data on outcomes or demographics due to current staffing levels and the difficulties in tracking cases court outcomes, such as if someone charged with a sex crime was ultimately convicted of a lesser or different type of crime. In the Democratic primary, Shellenberger narrowly defeated Robbie Leonard a former public defender who advocated for a more progressive approach toward criminal justice and criticized how the office had handled low-level offenses, sex crimes and allegations of police misconduct by a margin of 2.4%, or 2,115 votes, according to election results from the Maryland State Board of Elections. At the May online meeting of the Southwest Baltimore County Democratic Club, Shellenberger confirmed hed met with the woman and didnt believe prosecutors could prove her case. The office has declined to create written guidelines for review and prosecution of sexual offenses or to put in place the national best practices compiled by the task force. Shellenberger also said Leonards out-of-state support was troubling. For decades, the crime rate has been decreasing in the United States. In Gubernatorial Election years, Baltimore County voters will elect the following: Governor; Lieutenant Governor; Comptroller; Attorney General; U.S. Representative (every two years) State Senators; State Delegates; County Executive; County Council; Judges of the Circuit Court (if vacancy exists) Republican. A former public defender who is now in private practice, Leonard is secretary of the Maryland Democratic Party. I am running to continue our efforts to protect all of the citizens of Baltimore County from crime. We came up short of victory, but we started a real conversation for change, said Leonard, speaking to reporters at the county Board of Elections building. Shellenberger said while he often testifies in opposition to the bills as drafted, he supports reasonable reforms. He harkened back to the 2015 Maryland Second Chance Act and the 2016 Justice Reinvestment Act, both of which he supported. So what we learned in this campaignwe just have to start earlier in making that contrast between the candidates. And its not OK for the states attorneys office to turn their back on their sworn oath.. Throughout his career, Leonard said hes represented minors and adults and served on the public defenders government relations team, where he testified on bills in the legislature. The Republican candidates are James Haynes, a retired attorney who previously worked as an administrative judge for the U.S. Department of Labor and at the state attorney general and public defender offices, and Deborah Hill, who has represented state employee retirees in a lawsuit challenging a reduction in their prescription drug benefits. Should certain crimes be prioritized and, if so, which? This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. If you say youre going to fight crime, fight crime.. There is no Democratic candidate running for State's Attorney in Harford County. Those that don't or choose not to must be appropriately addressed. Hes always opposing legislation being put in by Democrats.. Printer Friendly Version. In that case, a juror told the prosecutor another member of the jury had convinced the others that all Black women lie, according to the womans account. After the recommendations from the countys latest task force on sexual assaults, the group did a follow-up audit in 2021 to measure improvements or lingering problems. Crime, he said, is regional. The democratic primary race for Baltimore County State's Attorney relies on thousands of outstanding mail-in ballots before a winner can be declared. Shellenberger painted Leonard, who has never been a prosecutor, as unprepared for the office. I think that we do that every day.. Haynes said he would neither solicit campaign donations from staff nor ask them to work the polls. Campaign website: www.haynesforbaltimorecounty.com, www.thebaltimorebanner.com 2022 The Baltimore Banner. Patoka had a large lead in early returns, as did other council members who faced primary challengers: Republicans Todd Crandell of Dundalk, Wade Kach of Cockesyville, and David Marks of Perry Hall. Haynes, 72, of Rodgers Forge, is a retired administrative judge with the U.S. Department of Labor and a former state assistant attorney general. He said it is worth prosecuting low-level crimes and that the court system is, at times, what gets someone help. I am absolutely committed to that. I have stressed that during my time as the State's Attorney to all who work for me. Were one of the only large counties to certify its elections today, said County Elections Director Ruie Lavoie. State's Attorney (Vote for One) This table may scroll left to right depending on the screen size of your device. Friday marked the final day of counting for mail-in and provisional ballots in Baltimore County. Together, we can, At a heated meeting Thursday, the Juvenile Justice Reform Council voted to recommend that the legislature abolish the practice of automatically charging minors in, Bernice Mireku-North (D), a Silver Spring attorney and criminal justice reformer, formally launched her bid to unseat Montgomery County States Attorney John J. McCarthy. In the state's attorney race, incumbent Scott Shellenberger has maintained a lead in recent days over challenger Robbie Leonard as mail-in votes are tallied. (Paul Newson) As he seeks a fifth term in office, Baltimore County State's Attorney Scott Shellenberger on Tuesday held a wide lead over his first challenger in the general election in 12 years, Jim Haynes. Haynes described Baltimore County as sort of a regional firewall that can improve the safety of people in the city and surrounding counties if it arrests and convicts criminals. He said Shellenberger is out of touch with Democratic primary voters. He noted that he hires new assistant states attorneys and frequently speaks with his elected counterparts through his involvement with the Maryland States Attorneys Association. David Folderauer, president of the Baltimore County Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 4, which has endorsed Shellenberger, said its members have worked with him for years and are impressed with how he runs his office. Leonard said arresting possible human trafficking victims preposterous. The Office of the State's Attorney for Baltimore City accepts applications on a rolling basis for membership into the Honors Law Clerk Program. Leonard said that incarceration for drug offenses and prostitution doesnt work. This is contrary to our ethical obligation and does a disservice to victims of sexual assault if the process loses its legitimacy by inappropriate prosecutions. Deputy States Attorney John Cox, who represented his boss, and Leonard were both present in the final hour of counting. Some female voters told The Baltimore Sun during the campaign that issues related to sexual assault were why they supported Leonard. Baltimore, Maryland Area. We will see with time if the appropriate balance has been reached. The voters of Baltimore County deserve that change. Offers may be subject to change without notice. Shellenberger said he acted out of concern for the woman, because he believed the men might file criminal charges or a lawsuit against her. (Copyright 2023 The Associated Press. By late Friday afternoon, Shellenberger gained a 918-vote advantage over Leonard. Return to Election Result Index . Shellenberger told The Sun he spoke with Dever and said it was a wrong thing to say to a victim.. (Ex: Low-level drug offenses vs. violent crimes with victims, etc.). He was challenged by Tony Fugett, who was one of an unprecedented number of Black candidates across the county to run for council after the redistricting lawsuit. Now, for the first time in 12 years, Shellenberger faces a Republican opponent, Jim Haynes, an attorney and former Maryland assistant attorney general, on Election Day. Thats what I was trying to do, and Im sorry she took it to be anything other than what it was, Dever said. As states attorney, Shellenberger said, he constantly makes changes. Shellenberger, meanwhile, emphasized his experience prosecuting crimes and said he has supported what he calls reasonable criminal justice reform. His office has adopted some of the groups recommendations, such as documenting when prosecutors review police investigations, but has disagreed with others. Office of the State's Attorney for Baltimore City. Shellenberger reported having over $13,000 on hand, while Haynes detailed having more than $1,500 available, according to campaign finance disclosure reports that covered July 4-Aug. 23. His last Republican challenger in the general election was in 2010. The Maryland Justice and Public Safety PAC, funded by billionaire philanthropist George Soros, poured nearly $784,000 into the race over a month, flooding many county Democrats mailboxes and social media feeds with advertisements. Return to Election Result Index . Baltimore State's Attorney Marilyn Mosby lost her reelection bid to defense attorney Ivan Bates in the Democratic primary after she was indicted by a grand jury on federal charges. Published on: July 20, 2022 12:12 AM EDT|Updated on: July 22, 2022 6:28 PM EDT. Whoever pulls it out, looks to be headed for a General Election match-up with Republican James A. Haynes who seems to have edged out Deborah Hill. The State Board of Elections provides all eligible citizens of the State convenient access to voter registration; provides all registered voters accessible locations in which they may exercise their right to vote, to ensure uniformity of election practices; to promote fair and equitable elections; and to maintain registration records, campaign fund reports, and other election-related data accurately and in a form that is accessible to the public. This is a place where I was well prepared when I first came into office and am even more prepared to continue to lead the office now, he added. Haynes led the primary Tuesday night. Shellenbergers re-election bid got off to a slow start. Leonard said that transparency and accountability mean prosecuting violent crimes where theres actual victims not quality of life offenses, like charges that stem from poverty or drug use. At the same time, they see that theres no accountability in the police department, and theres no accountability in the States Attorneys Office, he said. Advertisement Incumbent Democrat Johnny Olszewski defeated former. News you can trust. The Democratic nominee will face either Republicans James A. Haynes or Deborah Hill in the November general election. Shellenbergers tactic is to lean on the justice system. According to his most recent financial disclosure, he has around $22,000 in his campaign coffers. The states attorneys office is understaffed, he believes. Sure it helped, said Leonard. According to a 2019 Baltimore Sun report, the Baltimore County Sexual Assault Investigations Task Force found that county police seldom tested evidence from sexual assault cases. The 2021 audit said it couldnt assess case outcomes at trial because of COVID-19 delays. There is no statute of limitation on rape in the state of Maryland. He described that practice as unprofessional, stating that its wrong to mix public service with considerations of political loyalty. Assistant attorney general and then trial attorney who handled insurance defense work for the same agency under different names, the State Accident Fund, Injured Workers Insurance Fund, and currently Chesapeake Employers Insurance, from 1987-2006. Had we sent that mailer two weeks earlier, I probably would have walked away the victor. But this year, his 16th in office, he has faced the most sustained criticism of his career. Robbie Leonard continued to hold a narrow lead Wednesday of 860 votes over 15-year incumbent Scott Shellenberger for the Democratic nomination for Baltimore County State's Attorney. A federal judge blocked the county from using its initial map and later accepted a revised version. Leonard said, Just in the past few years weve seen so many civilians who have been killed by the police, whether they were suffering a mental health crisis or just being Black.. Leonard, who is secretary of the Maryland Democratic Party, ran on a progressive platform with the motto, Its time for a change., After the final results were announced, Shellenberger did not respond to a request for comment, but issued a statement through his campaign. HUNT VALLEY Baltimore Countys incumbent states attorney beat back an upstart primary challenger and will move on to the November general election. He is what youve seen: Hes a man of great character. Returns were. Leonard said the incumbents opposition to local police reform policies mobilized him to challenge Shellenberger. We are active participants in problem solving courts in appropriate cases where the primary focus is treatment rather than incarceration. A judge ruled in a hearing on Tuesday that the perjury and mortgage fraud trial for former Baltimore City State's Attorney Marilyn Mosby will remain in Baltimore despite attempts to move it. But the results took more than a week and initially Leonard led the 16-year incumbent by more than 800 votes. When you get into the process, the taxpayers in Maryland and Baltimore County end up paying for your mistakes, said Haynes, referring to the states attorneys offices involvement in the case. But opting out of some of these cookies may have an effect on your browsing experience. Prosecutors had declined to take the case, but the woman tried to pursue charges on her own through the court commissioner. He said he wouldnt discuss details because I dont think its fair to her, but alluded to what she told police and the timing of the report. 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