Why I’m a Democrat
As a candidate for State’s Attorney, my commitment is to the Constitution, the rule of…
Carolynn Grammas is running for State’s Attorney to restore trust, professionalism, and integrity to the Anne Arundel County State’s Attorney’s Office — for victims, prosecutors, and the entire justice system.
Victims deserve to be heard and respected.
Carolynn will change how the State’s Attorney’s Office engages with victims and their families so they know their cases matter. She is committed to ensuring victims feel informed, respected, and confident that their voices were heard — that they truly had their day in court for themselves or their loved ones. Justice should never feel rushed, ignored, or dismissed.
While a fierce attorney for victims, Carolynn’s wins have never come at the expense of a defendant’s constitutional rights – no games, no cutting corners, just hard work and determination. A staunch advocate, Carolynn is known and respected by preeminent defense lawyers for her preparedness, fairness and transparency.
Good prosecutors deserve a professional, supportive workplace.
Carolynn will rebuild the internal culture of the office to retain skilled, ethical prosecutors. High turnover weakens public safety and undermines justice. By fostering professionalism, mentorship, and accountability, she will create an environment where talented prosecutors want to stay and serve the community long-term.
Credibility must be restored and convictions must stand.
Carolynn will restore credibility for the citizens of Anne Arundel County, prosecuting cases by the book, which means ending practices that cut corners that lead to legal violations and/or ethical misconduct. She believes convictions should be obtained the right way — ethically, transparently, and lawfully — so they deliver real justice, not reversals.
A: With more than 25 years of experience in the Anne Arundel County State’s Attorney’s Office, I have handled some of the most serious and complex cases our community has faced. As a longtime Annapolis resident, I am deeply invested in the safety and well-being of this community, and my early experiences shaped the prosecutor I am today.
My interest in law enforcement began in high school, when I worked in a sheriff’s office and learned what it takes to build a strong, well-prepared police case. In college, my best friend was murdered by a serial killer. The case took six years to go to trial, and I sat through a two-week trial alongside her family. That experience shaped my commitment to ensuring victims are treated with dignity, respect and transparency. In law school, I worked as a student attorney with the Office of the Public Defender in Anne Arundel County, reinforcing the importance of fairness, constitutional protections, and full disclosure of evidence. These experiences, combined with decades of courtroom practice and leadership, have prepared me to lead with integrity and deliver ethical, effective prosecutions.
A: The state’s attorney’s conduct has created concerns regarding integrity, office morale and office function. These issues have resulted in declining confidence in the office, the departure of experienced prosecutors, and challenges in prosecuting cases. In an office of 62 lawyers, 80 have left under current leadership.
The problem starts at the top. While declining conviction rates and an inability to retain prosecutors indicate leadership issues, the root cause is a crisis of integrity. The State Supreme Court recently upheld the order removing Anne Leitess from an Edgewater murder case. The court removed her due to failure to turn over evidence and for other ethical concerns and established an ethical wall, which she breached. I will restore integrity and confidence. As the Fraternal Order of Police stated in their endorsement of me for State’s Attorney: “Grammas is respected across Anne Arundel County and Maryland’s criminal justice system. She is known for professionalism, preparation, and commitment to fairness and accountability — qualities essential to restoring confidence.” I will ensure fairness and justice are prioritized over “winning” and will train prosecutors to succeed through preparation.
A: No, the perception of crime in Anne Arundel County does not match reality. While reported crime rates have declined, public concern remains high. That disconnect is real, and in my view, it is driven in part by what happens after an arrest. When cases are not successfully prosecuted, or are dismissed without accountability, it undermines public confidence and fuels the perception that crime is increasing.
We have seen a measurable decline in outcomes. The felony conviction rate was approximately 71% in 2019, then dropped to 60% by 2024, 51% in 2025, and just 46% in the first half of 2026. At the same time, the number of cases being charged has been reduced by roughly 50%. Those trends contribute to the reality that offenders are not being held accountable. As state’s attorney, I will restore confidence through results by ensuring cases are prepared, prosecuted with integrity, and taken to trial when appropriate. That means investing in training, strengthening collaboration with law enforcement, and building cases grounded in evidence. Public safety is not just about crime rates; it is about accountability, transparency, and delivering outcomes the community can trust.
A: The State’s Attorney’s Office has already invested in modernization, including implementation of the Karpel case management system used in jurisdictions across the country. The issue is not the tool but rather how it is being used. The office has been plagued by discovery violations and breakdowns in communication, which undermine cases and erode trust with the courts, law enforcement, and the community.
As state’s attorney, I would focus on fully implementing and enforcing best practices within the systems we already have. That includes standardized discovery protocols, mandatory training on compliance and ethics, and clear supervisory review to ensure timely and complete disclosure in every case. I would also strengthen coordination with law enforcement from the outset to ensure evidence is properly collected, documented and shared. Modernization is not just about technology it is about accountability and consistency. By properly utilizing existing tools, improving training, and reinforcing a culture of professionalism and ethical prosecution, we can reduce errors, improve case outcomes, and restore confidence in the office.A: My office will take a collaborative, restorative approach to juvenile justice. We will work closely with county partners including educators, the Department of Juvenile Services, Crisis Response, mental health providers, and school resource officers to intervene early and provide young people with the tools and support they need to avoid reoffending. Our goal will be to ensure that juveniles who enter the system do not become adults in the system.
At the same time, public safety remains paramount. In serious cases, particularly those involving violence, my office will take appropriate action to protect the community, recognizing that victims are often other juveniles or family members. Restoration will guide our approach, but it will be balanced with accountability and a firm commitment to protecting victims’ rights.
I will deliver justice you can trust and the fairness you deserve—for victims, for families, and for all of Anne Arundel County.
1325 Annapolis Road
Odenton, MD 21113
6740 Baymeadow Drive
Glen Burnie, MD 21060
161 Ritchie Highway
Severna Park, MD 21146
27 Stepneys Lane
Edgewater, MD 21037
1681 Riedel Road
Crofton, MD 21114
1130 Duvall Highway
Pasadena, MD 21122
6022 Drum Point Rd, Deale, MD 20751
1275 Green Holly Drive
Annapolis, MD 21409