|
Q. |
What information do I need when calling or visiting the State's
Attorney's Office? |
|
|
A. |
If you are calling about a
specific case, it helps us to locate the case in the
computer system if you have the defendant's name, case
number and trial date. This information would be on
your courts summons or other letters from the State's
Attorney. It is also helpful if you have been dealing
with a police officer to have the officer's name and
department. |
|
|
Q. |
How do I know which
Division is handling my case? |
|
|
A. |
One way is to view the case
number.
| Cases
Beginning With |
Handled By |
|
12-K |
Circuit Court Division |
| 12-J |
Juvenile Division |
| Beginning with a number followed by
a letter |
District Court Division |
| 12-C, 12-P, 12-U |
Family Support Division |
If you are still unsure, contact our main receptionist at
410-638-3500. |
|
|
Q. |
When my property is seized,
how do I get it back? |
|
|
A. |
If you have reported property
stolen and you locate the property, contact the police
department you filed the crime report with and arrange with
them to have the property picked up and turned over to you.
If your property has been seized during an arrest or the
execution of a search warrant, you may call the State's
Attorney's Office. If your property is needed for
evidence or is subject to forfeiture, it is likely that it
will not be returned. |
|
|
Q. |
How do I protect myself
from the defendant? |
|
|
A. |
If you have been threatened or
assaulted by the defendant or others and there is a
continuing threat, you should contact the State's Attorney's
Office to alert us. There are several options
including the possibility of moving you and your family from
the area or into a secure location or for victims of
domestic violence, the loan of a cell phone. |
|
|
Q. |
When and how do I get my
restitution? |
|
|
A. |
Restitution can be ordered for
loss or damage to property or for medical or funeral
expenses. In a criminal case, restitution cannot be ordered
for lost wages, although wages may be recovered from a civil
suit. Restitution can be ordered by the judge upon the
conviction of the defendant. Depending on the amount
of restitution and the ability of the defendant to make
payments, restitution might be made in one payment at
sentencing or be made payable through the Department of
Parole and Probation and collected a little at a time for
over many years. An order of restitution is filed as a
civil judgment and can be executed by the victim as any
other civil judgment. |
|
|
Q. |
If I do not agree with the
outcome of a case, in which I was the victim, what can I do
about it? |
|
|
A. |
Generally, once the judge's
decision has been handed down in a criminal case, it cannot
be changed. Therefore, it is very important to contact
the prosecutor assigned to the case and discuss your
thoughts about the outcome prior to any hearings or trials.
If you have a problem with the way the prosecutor handled a
case, you may contact the State's Attorney's Office and ask
to speak to a Deputy State's Attorney. |
|
|
Q. |
What will happen if I do
not show up for court as a witness? |
|
|
A. |
If you have been summoned, you
must attend court. If you have a conflict that
cannot be rescheduled, you should immediately contact the
State's Attorney's Office and ask to speak to the prosecutor
handling the case or to a victim-witness specialist to
discuss what options are available. If you are not
excused and fail to come to court, then the judge will issue
a writ calling for your arrest. |
|
|
Q. |
How can I drop the charges? |
|
|
A. |
As a rule, you cannot drop
charges. Only the State's Attorney can determine what action
will be taken in a criminal case. You should speak to
the prosecutor about any options. |
|
|
Q. |
Who can I contact with a
consumer protection question? |
|
|
A. |
You can contact the Attorney
General's Office Consumer Protection Division at
410.528.8662 or visit their website at
www.oag.state.md.us/Consumer/. |
|
|
Q. |
How can I find out my court
date? |
|
|
A. |
It is helpful if you have the
defendant's name, case number and what court the case is in
when you call the office. If you do not have this
information, we can still find the trial date, but you may
have to be transferred to the various divisions within the
office because they are each on a separate computer system. |
|
