Ivan Bates is Baltimore’s New State’s Attorney
New Baltimore State’s Attorney Ivan Bates was privately sworn in on Monday, January 2, with a public ceremony taking place the following day at the War Memorial Building downtown.
Bates defeated former State’s Attorney Marilyn Mosby in the primary election last summer. During her time in office, Mosby achieved national and international fame for her decision to prosecute six Baltimore City Police officers for the 2015 death of Freddie Gray. Gray died of injuries sustained after being apprehended by Baltimore officers. Throughout her two terms in office, Mosby sought to brand herself as a progressive prosecutor. During his January 3 inaugural address, Bates signaled a departure from all that.
“There was a non-prosecution policy on low-level offenses by the last administration. Effective right now, this moment and second, I recall that policy,” Bates said. Attendees, including politicians, judges, and other local leaders, whistled and applauded. “Simply put, my office will start holding people accountable for ‘quality of life’ crimes.”
Bates also used the address to signal to local police, who are still under a federal consent decree for violating the rights of Black Baltimore citizens, that he wanted them to feel free to use the full powers of their position.
“As of today, I want to look at the commissioner and all the police officers in the city. Any and all laws that are on the books, you always had a right to enforce them,...
Park Filed Complaint Against President Lee Ahead of 2021 Election Jang Youngha Sentenced to One Year in Prison, Two Years Probation Confirmed The police have launched an investigation into Park Chu...