Practical Civics

Many residents hear about the Caroline County Office of the State's Attorney when a major case makes headlines or an election is coming up, but much of the office's work is unknown to the general public. Sloane Franklin, the current State’s Attorney for Caroline County, said the main purpose of his office is “to dispense justice.” “"Whether it's putting people in jail, getting them the treatment that they need, it's all about justice,” he said. But what does dispensing justice look like?

Reviewing evidence, working with local law enforcement agencies, sharing findings with the defendant’s legal representation, and working to ensure defendants receive a fair trial are all important functions of the State’s Attorney’s office. They prosecute nearly every violation of Maryland criminal law, including but not limited to: assault, sex offenses, murders, drug cases, property crimes, and serious traffic offenses. Franklin explained that each of the office’s five total attorneys has a caseload specific to their strengths, and he often finds himself taking on homicide and sex offense cases.

Outside of the attorneys themselves, the office has five support staff members. These folks serve in specialized roles that include gathering police reports and digital evidence, managing court filings and discovery, assisting crime victims, and handling front office operations.

Cases typically begin with referrals from local law enforcement agencies or, sometimes, citizen complaints. Prosecutors review the evidence, request any additional information needed from investigators, provide material to the defense, and work with all the parties involved in a case to potentially strike a plea deal – all before a case ever reaches trial.

Unlike defense attorneys who only need to create reasonable doubt for a judge or jury to take their side, prosecutors have the “burden of proof”, meaning they must prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. Not only that; prosecutors are legally required to provide the defense with virtually all evidence related to a case, including information that could benefit the defendant.

Joel Todd, a current Assistant State's Attorney who is running unopposed to head the office, explained that these constitutional requirements are designed to prevent wrongful convictions and ensure fair trials. Todd also pointed out that as surveillance technology advances, attorneys are taking more time to review footage of criminal incidents than ever before. Police body cameras may be helpful in providing a first-hand account of a situation, but reviewing the footage of a major incident from every officer’s body camera can take days.

For both Franklin and Todd, the office's mission is to ensure the justice system functions as it should, regardless of the case or the time it takes.