Key Metrics for Circuit Court Cases

Annapolis, MD - The Office of the State’s Attorney produced key metrics to determine the efficacy of the office’s approach regarding three majors issues affecting this county: Narcotics, Domestic Violence, and Homicide.

“We instituted a number of innovative techniques to increase the effectiveness of this office,” said Anne Arundel County State’s Attorney Wes Adams. “I am extremely proud of the progress my prosecutors have made over the past few years, and am excited to share these results with the community we serve.”

Narcotics

This office combats the opioid epidemic by prosecuting predatory dealers to the fullest extent of the law, while focusing on rehabilitating those whose involvement in the criminal justice system is rooted in serious addiction.

The Narcotics Unit resolved more than 550 felony cases between 2015 and 2017 at a conviction rate of 86%. These metrics are based on publicly reported closed case information.

Domestic Violence

Domestic violence prosecutors have acquired the experience needed to proceed to trial on cases where the victim is unable to testify. Rather than dismiss a case or reduce the severity of the charges, this unit pushes to build cases around the most severe charges possible to hold violent offenders accountable for their actions.

Since 2016, this office has treated domestic violence more seriously by increasing the number of cases prosecuted as felonies by 26% while decreasing the number of cases that are dismissed by 23%. This dedicated unit of trained prosecutors has increased its conviction rate to 82% and consistently advocated for meaningful sentences. Those convicted of a domestic violence offense are 32% more likely to be incarcerated.

These metrics are based on information reported for federal grant purposes.

Homicide

Since 2015, homicide prosecutors have increased the number of cases taken to trial twofold, and increased the trial conviction rate to 85% and the overall conviction rate to 95%. The increase in convictions is attributable to the presence of prosecutors from the onset of every investigation who work directly with detectives to ensure each case is trial-ready. This method of prosecution has resulted in a 33% decrease in the number of cases pleaded down to a lower count.

There has been a 48% increase in life sentences. When a life sentence is not imposed, there has been a 41% increase in length of incarceration for these most violent offenders.

These metrics are based on publicly reported closed case information.

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