Headed by the County Attorney, the Office of Law works through three divisions: Government Operations, Litigation, and Transactional.
GOVERNMENT OPERATIONS DIVISION
LITIGATION DIVISION
TRANSACTIONAL DIVISION
The Division reviews and drafts complex contracts and real estate transactions, and handles treasury and tax issues.
The State's Attorney prosecutes and defends, on the part of the State, all criminal cases in Prince George's County in which the State may be interested (Code Criminal Procedure Article, secs. 15-101 through 15-109, 15-417).
The Team seeks to develop an understanding of the causes and incidences of deaths related to domestic violence in the county; and develop plans for and recommend changes within those agencies that members represent (Chapter 233, Acts of 2005; Code Family Law Article, secs. 4-701 through 4-707).
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Under the Office of Law, the Government Operations Division handles administrative hearings and code enforcement cases, and provides legal opinions and advice. It reviews and drafts legislation, reviews appointments to County boards and commissions, and responds to Maryland Public Information Act requests.
The Litigation Division defends the County and its agencies, officials, and employees against all lawsuits in both State and federal courts. These may concern personal injury, motor vehicle torts, other tort claims, professional liability, employment discrimination, contract disputes, workers' compensation, collections, subrogation, and forfeitures. The Division also represents the Department of Social Services in cases involving Child in Need of Assistance and Termination of Parental Rights.
Within the Office of Law, the Transactional Division was formed by 2011.
PUBLIC DEFENDER
For indigent defendants in Prince George's County, the District Public Defender provides legal representation, including related necessary services and facilities. The District Public Defender assures effective assistance and continuity of counsel to indigent accused taken into custody and indigent defendants in criminal and juvenile proceedings before Maryland courts (Code Criminal Procedure Article, secs. 16-201 through 16-213).
STATE'S ATTORNEY
Starting in 1818, duties of the State's Attorney were first carried out by the District Attorney (Chapter 146, Acts of 1817). Appointed by the Governor in each judicial district, the District Attorney prosecuted cases on behalf of the State. By 1821, the District Attorney was renamed the Deputy Attorney and was appointed by the Attorney General (Chapter 126, Acts of 1821). The office of State's Attorney was first authorized in 1851 (Constitution of 1851, Art. V, secs. 1-5).
DOMESTIC VIOLENCE FATALITY REVIEW TEAM
In Prince George's County, the Domestic Violence Fatality Review Team was established in May 2006. The purpose of the Team is to prevent deaths related to domestic violence by promoting cooperation and coordination among agencies involved in investigating deaths related to domestic violence, or providing services to victims of domestic violence, abusers, or surviving members.
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