A gavel
Office of the

State's Attorney

The State's Attorney Office effectively and aggressively advocates for victims and witnesses of crimes at every stage of the prosecution process, helps them navigate the often perplexing criminal justice system and ensures their voices are heard.

Services Offered

Victim and Witness Trial Information

Apply for a Restraining Order

Request to Move Human Remains

GRAND JURY INDICTMENTS

View the indictment list for cases initiated by the Maryland District Court and indicted by the Baltimore County Grand Jury. If your case of interest does not appear on this list, check after 3 p.m. on the Thursday prior to the scheduled preliminary hearing.

ANIMAL ABUSE UNIT

The Animal Abuse Unit collaborates with the Baltimore County Police Department and Animal Services to investigate cases of animal abuse, neglect and cruelty. The Unit also works with the Department of Social Services when there is a co-occurrence of crimes against people and animals. Charges can be initiated by an officer, but are typically initiated after communication between all agencies, as well as a veterinarian.

  • Report actively occurring animal abuse—Call 911.
  • Report past incidents and animal neglect—Call 410-887-2222.
  • For questions—Call our Animal Abuse Investigator at 410-887-6620.

DOMESTIC VIOLENCE UNIT

The Domestic Violence Unit is comprised of attorneys and specially trained investigators, who investigate incidents and the previous history between the victim and defendant, once charges are filed. Due to the sensitive nature of these cases, our office will not drop domestic violence charges until the investigation is complete. 

  • To report a crime or emergency—If you are a victim of domestic violence and would like to report a crime or an emergency—Contact the Baltimore County Police Department by calling 911 or visit any precinct in person, so that they may generate a formal report and advise you of the charging procedures. 
  • For questions about your case—Participation in the criminal justice process can be stressful and scary. Help victims feel more comfortable and supported by learning about the court and trial process ahead of time. If you are the victim or witness of a pending domestic violence case within our office, call 410-887-6610 to speak with one of our investigators. There is a full-time bilingual Spanish-speaking investigator available.
  • Apply to the courts—Victims can apply to the courts for protection, temporary custody, counseling, financial support and a "vacate the home" order. Filing a peace or protective order may be an important step in creating a safety plan with victims of domestic violence and their families. The House of Ruth Maryland has information available to help with the difference between different types of orders, how to file them, and the types of protections that can be granted, and what to expect throughout the process. 

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U NONIMMIGRANT STATUS (U VISA) PROGRAM

We are supporters of and willing participants in the U Nonimmigrant Status (U visa) program. If an individual is a victim of a qualifying crime and is cooperative in the investigation and prosecution of the crime, they can apply for U visa status. Those crimes include (among many others) felonious, assaults and acts of domestic violence.

It is extremely important to Mr. Shellenberger that victims of crimes of this nature not be deterred in reporting and prosecuting the crime as a result of concern about their status in this country. For this reason, we are committed to cooperating in the U visa application process. If you are aware of someone in this situation, we encourage you to reach out to an attorney or organization dedicated to assist those with immigration issues or concerns. If you have any questions about the process please feel free to email statesattorney@baltimorecountymd.gov.

Este contenido está disponible en español.

INTERNSHIP OPPORTUNITIES

The Office is pleased to offer internship opportunities to current law school and college students. Internships are not paid and require a minimum ten-week, 10 hours per week time commitment. Internships begin at the beginning of the spring, summer and fall semesters. 

Interns can expect to assist attorneys with case preparation including but not limited to:

  • Compiling discovery.
  • Researching legal issues.
  • Drafting and filing pleadings.
  • Interviewing victims and witnesses.
  • Watching police body-worn camera footage.

Interested persons should email a resume and cover letter to the internship coordinator at saointernship@baltimorecountymd.gov. Please note availability and area of interest. For fall internships, please email your cover letter and resume by June 15, spring internships November 15, and summer internships April 1.

Please note a criminal background check and serious traffic record check are required of all considered applicants.

RESOURCES

Contact the resources listed below for help with the following:

ABOUT THE STATE'S ATTORNEY

Image of State's Attorney, Scott Shellenberger.

Mr. Shellenberger was born and raised in Baltimore County. He is a graduate of Loch Raven High School, Loyola College and the University of Baltimore School of Law. He fulfilled a lifelong dream when elected State’s Attorney for Baltimore County in 2006, and was re-elected in 2010, 2014, 2018 and 2022. Since his election, Mr. Shellenberger has been an effective advocate for crime victims not only in Baltimore County, but also across the State. He was instrumental in the passage of an expanded DNA law, which gave law enforcement agencies the opportunity to prevent violent crime. Since its passage, Mr. Shellenberger has traveled across the State training law enforcement agencies on the implementation of the law.

APPOINTMENTS

Learn more about the State's Attorney's career below.

Member of Task Force on Facial Recognition. The task force is composed of members of the State Legislature, Public Safety, Public Defenders, and manufactures representative. The task force is to review the technology, literature, and privacy rights and make recommendations to set guardrails for the use of the technology in the State.

Member of Baltimore County Work Group on Equitable Policing. This group was formed to examine policing policies and practices and make recommendations for ensuring equitable policing in Baltimore County.

Member of Genetic Genealogy Work Group. A panel of professor’s, geneticists, law enforcement, and State’s Attorney’s working to create a bill to find a balance between public safety and a constitutional right to privacy. The group came up with a bill that turned into House Bill 240, which passed and became law on October 1, 2021. It was a first in the nation law that limits when law enforcement can search consumer genealogical databases in connection with a crime.

Scott was appointed to the Juvenile Justice Reform Council.  This Council is charged with:

  • Using data to develop a statewide framework of policies to invest in strategies to increase public safety and reduce recidivism of youth offenders.
  • Researching best practices for the treatment of juveniles.
  • Identifying and making commendations to limit risk factors that contribute to juvenile contact with the criminal and juvenile justice systems.

Scott was appointed to the Task Force to Study Crime Classification and Penalties. The task force is to study and make recommendations on issues related to the classifications of and penalties for criminal and civil violations in the State.

Governor Hogan appointed Scott to the Maryland Sexual Assault Evidence Kit Policy and Funding Committee. The Committee is responsible for developing and disseminating best practices and recommendations regarding SAEK testing, retention, availability and funding; stakeholder coordination; the shortage of forensic nurses; and victim notification.

Scott became a member of the Task Force to Study Erroneous Convictions and Imprisonment. He was the Chair of the Task Force.

Member of Maryland Justice Reinvestment Coordinating Council. Members meet to craft a framework of sentencing and corrections policies in the State with a goal of safely reducing the number of inmates in Maryland prisons, reducing spending on prisons, and reinvesting those savings in strategies’ to increase public safety.

Maryland's highest court, the Court of Appeals, appointed Scott to a three-year term on the Rules Committee. This Committee makes recommendations to the Court of Appeals on which Rules of the Court should be amended or added.

Governor Hogan appointed Scott to the Justice Reinvestment Coordinating Council. That Council made recommendations to change Maryland's Criminal Justice System that were later passed into law.

Mr. Shellenberger was appointed by Governor O’Malley to the Maryland Commission on Capital Punishment where he consistently advocated for the retention of the death penalty as a tool in the fight against violent crime. The Commission ultimately voted to recommend a repeal of the death penalty. Mr. Shellenberger authored the Commission’s Minority Report. Maryland lawmakers abolished the Death Penalty in 2013.

Governor O'Malley appointed Scott to:

  • A Task Force to Study the Laws and Policies of the Public Defender
  • The Governor's Commission to Reform Maryland's Pretrial System

Mr. Shellenberger began his legal career in the Baltimore County State’s Attorney’s Office working as a law clerk while attending law school. Upon being admitted to the Bar in 1985, Mr. Shellenberger began working as a prosecutor where he quickly gained a reputation as an aggressive and tireless advocate for victims of crime. A highly skilled and effective litigator, Mr. Shellenberger quickly moved through the ranks in the State’s Attorney’s Office. In addition to trying serious and complex cases, Mr. Shellenberger served as supervisor of the Felony Screening, Career Criminal and Automobile Manslaughter Units. As Chief of the Child Abuse and Sexual Assault Division, Mr. Shellenberger protected the most vulnerable members of our community.