About the State's Attorney's Office

The Carroll County State's Attorney's Office is a governmental entity responsible for the prosecution of all crimes that occur in Carroll County which represent violations of either state or local law. Additionally, the State's Attorney's Office maintains a Child Support Unit which establishes paternity, child support obligations, and collection.

The Office is headed by the elected State's Attorney, Jerry F. Barnes. Jerry Barnes was initially elected to a four year term as State's Attorney in November, 1994. Mr. Barnes is a lifelong resident of Carroll County who has served as a prosecutor for more than 20 years. After qualifying as Green Beret in 1969, Jerry Barnes fought in the Vietnam war as a member of the 5th Special Forces Group. Before his honorable discharge, he was twice awarded the Bronze Star. Upon obtaining a BA in Jurisprudence, Cum Laude, at the University of Baltimore, Jerry Barnes then pursued a law degree at the University of Baltimore Law School.

Mr. Barnes is a specialist in drug enforcement. The only prosecutor from Carroll County to be sworn in as an Assistant U.S. Attorney to prosecute drug cases, he is also a graduate of the Drug Enforcement Administration Agents Course and the Maryland State Police Undercover Drug Course. Jerry Barnes has previously held the position of Chairman for the Carroll County Republican Central Committee. Mr. Barnes is a member in good standing of the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Post 467, the Vietnam Veterans of America, the NRA, the American Legion Post 31, Westminster, and the Fraternal Order of the Moose #1848, Sykesville Lodge. In addition to the State's Attorney, Jerry Barnes, there are 16 other prosecutors on staff. A list of their names and general assignments is provided below:

David P. Daggett, Chief Deputy State's Attorney, Legal Supervisor, Carroll County Advocacy and Investigation Center

Melissa O. Hockensmith, Deputy State's Attorney, Circuit Court, White Collar Crimes Prosecutor

Jennifer L. Darby, Senior Assistant State's Attorney, Circuit Court

Amy Blank Ocampo, Senior Assistant State's Attorney, Circuit Court, Child Abuse Prosecutor

Kelley D. Galvin, Senior Assistant State's Attorney, Cirucit Court, Child Abuse Prosecutor

Edward J. Coyne, Senior Assistant State's Attorney, Circuit Court, Narcotics, Prosecutor

Maria L. Oesterreicher, Senior Assistant State's Attorney, Circuit Court & District Court, Domestic Violence Prosecutor

Stacy L. Baran, Assistant State's Attorney, District Court

Allan J. Culver, Senior Assistant State's Attorney, District Court Supevisor

Adam G. Wells, Assistant State's Attorney, Circuit Court

Tae Yee, Assistant State's Attorney, District Court

Ted Eyler, Assistant State's Attorney, District Court

Arian Noma, Assistant State's Attorney, District Court

Amanda Costley, Assistant State's Attorney, District Court, Child Abuse Prosecutor

Sandra L. Johnson, Senior Assistant State's Attorney, Juvenile Court

Michael R. Chester, Assistant State's Attorney, Child Support

Edgar A. Ocampo, Senior Assistant State's Attorney, Child Support