Howard County State's Attorney's Office

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Howard County State's Attorney's Office Our office is responsible for the prosecution of all criminal cases in Howard County, MD.

Please join us in welcoming Sam Paul to the Howard County State’s Attorney’s Office! Sam joins our team as an Assistant ...
10/23/2026

Please join us in welcoming Sam Paul to the Howard County State’s Attorney’s Office! Sam joins our team as an Assistant State’s Attorney in our District Court Division, bringing a strong foundation in legal research, public policy, and state government.

Before joining our office, Sam served as a Senior Health Policy Analyst with the Maryland Department of Health, where he analyzed legislation and regulations, drafted legal memoranda and policy recommendations, and advised agency leadership on complex legal and operational issues. His work also involved collaborating with government agencies, legislative officials, and stakeholders to help ensure compliance with Maryland law.

Sam earned his Juris Doctor from Boston College Law School in 2022 and his bachelor’s degree in History and Politics from Oberlin College in 2019. He is admitted to practice law in both Maryland and the District of Columbia.

His previous legal experience includes internships with the Political Asylum and Immigration Representation Project and the International Legal Foundation, where he conducted legal research and prepared memoranda addressing immigration law, criminal convictions, evidentiary issues, and constitutional protections. He also gained experience supporting family law and trusts and estates matters as a legal assistant.

Sam’s background in legal analysis, government service, and communicating complex legal issues will be valuable as he begins this new chapter in public service. We are excited to welcome him to the team as he puts his legal knowledge and experience to work serving the residents of Howard County.

Fun fact: Sam loves to garden. In fact, he has 19 pepper plants of different varieties in his residence.

Welcome aboard, Sam! We wish you much success in your new role!

CAREER SPOTLIGHT: JUSTICE IN ACTION! What does it take to be a prosecutor? Students at Burleigh Manor Middle School got ...
10/23/2026

CAREER SPOTLIGHT: JUSTICE IN ACTION!

What does it take to be a prosecutor? Students at Burleigh Manor Middle School got to find out firsthand today when Howard County State’s Attorney Rich Gibson visited to talk about his 20+ years as a veteran prosecutor, his career journey, and his daily responsibilities as the county’s chief prosecutor.

Students in 6th, 7th and 8th grade came ready with some great questions! From our partner agencies and the death penalty to the legality of certain fi***rm purchases, the meaning of an accomplice, jury qualifications, and constitutional amendments, these inquisitive students covered a lot of ground!

SA Gibson enjoyed engaging with the students, answering their questions, and even tackling their hypothetical legal scenarios. Their curiosity and willingness to dig deeper made for a fantastic conversation about the law, public service, and the justice system.

A huge thank you to Emily Kochanski, Career Coach with the Howard County Office of Workforce Development, for the invitation and for creating opportunities for students to explore careers in public service and safety. We are proud to help inspire the next generation of community leaders and public servants!

Today, State’s Attorney Rich Gibson visited Howard Community College to speak with P.R.I.D.E. and R.I.S.E. students as p...
10/22/2026

Today, State’s Attorney Rich Gibson visited Howard Community College to speak with P.R.I.D.E. and R.I.S.E. students as part of “Lunch with Lamb,” an engaging conversation about the importance of voting, civic engagement, and community leadership.

With early voting beginning today in Maryland, the discussion couldn’t have been more timely! Mr. Gibson joined students in exploring why voting matters, the different types of elections, how to find reliable, nonpartisan election information, and what steps individuals can take when they want to see change in their communities.

More importantly, students were encouraged to recognize that civic engagement doesn’t end at the ballot box. Being informed, asking questions, advocating for change, and holding leaders accountable are all essential parts of making a difference.

Following the discussion, Mr. Gibson stayed to spend additional time chatting with students and answering their questions. He is grateful to Mr. Shawn Lamb for the invitation and for creating opportunities for students to engage in meaningful conversations about the issues that affect their lives and their futures.

Today, we’re shining the spotlight on the leader who guides our office with purpose, leads with integrity, and serves as...
10/16/2026

Today, we’re shining the spotlight on the leader who guides our office with purpose, leads with integrity, and serves as our very own beacon of light!

Mr. Gibson, we are incredibly grateful for your leadership, your dedication to justice, and everything you do to support our team and the community we proudly serve. Thank you for setting the tone, providing direction, and reminding us every day of the important work we do.

From all of us at the Howard County State’s Attorney’s Office, we wish you a wonderful National Boss’s Day! We’re lucky to have you at the helm, and today, we celebrate YOU!

The Howard County State’s Attorney’s Office had a blast participating for the first time in Howard Community College’s C...
10/16/2026

The Howard County State’s Attorney’s Office had a blast participating for the first time in Howard Community College’s Campus Safety Day... and what a fantastic day it was!

Hundreds of parents and children came out to enjoy a fun-filled autumn celebration featuring face painting, inflatables, dozens of vendors and community tables, and plenty of family-friendly activities. We loved welcoming visitors to our table, where they could spin the wheel, test their luck, and walk away with a fun giveaway!

And not to brag, but… our tchotchkes were definitely a conversation starter!

We’re grateful to Howard Community College’s Office of Campus Safety for hosting such a wonderful event that brought families, community organizations, and local partners together. We’re proud to be part of a community that makes safety, connection, and engagement a priority.

Thanks for having us. We can’t wait to do it again!

The Campus Public Safety Day has started at Howard Community College! Please join us and several other vendors until 2pm...
10/16/2026

The Campus Public Safety Day has started at Howard Community College! Please join us and several other vendors until 2pm in the Quad and HVPA lobby. Stop by and learn about who we are and what we do.

Going Purple for Domestic Violence Awareness Month! Today, our office donned all shades of purple in recognition of , a...
10/15/2026

Going Purple for Domestic Violence Awareness Month!

Today, our office donned all shades of purple in recognition of , a day to stand in solidarity with victims of domestic violence and honor survivors.

Supporting victims and survivors is at the heart of our mission at the Howard County State’s Attorney’s Office. We are proud to have supported this important annual initiative for years, reaffirming our commitment to raising awareness, promoting safety, and ensuring that victims know they are not alone.

Also, a huge shout-out and heartfelt thank you to our Special Victims Unit and the Victim/Witness team who assist them! Their dedication, compassion, and tireless work to assist victims of domestic violence extend far beyond Domestic Violence Awareness Month. Year-round, they work to support victims, pursue accountability, and help survivors navigate the justice system with dignity and care. We are grateful for all they do to make a difference in the lives of those impacted by domestic violence.

Domestic violence impacts individuals, families, and communities. Together, we can help break the silence, challenge the stigma, and remind survivors that support, resources, and hope are available.

💜 We wear purple. We stand with survivors. We remain committed to ending domestic violence.

The Howard County State's Attorney's Office was proud to be part of the county's annual Diversity Day! Our staff came ou...
10/14/2026

The Howard County State's Attorney's Office was proud to be part of the county's annual Diversity Day! Our staff came out in full force, welcoming visitors from departments across the county to our table. And let’s just say… our tchotchkes were a hit!

Beyond the giveaways, one of the best parts of the day was connecting with fellow county employees and learning about the customs, cultures, traditions, and experiences that make our workplace and community so unique.

Events like these remind us that diversity is one of our greatest strengths and that taking the time to learn from one another helps build stronger connections, greater understanding, and a more inclusive workplace.

A big thank you to everyone who stopped by our table and to all the staff members who helped make the day such a success!

State’s Attorney Rich Gibson recently participated as a panelist, sharing his experience and perspective on the importan...
10/14/2026

State’s Attorney Rich Gibson recently participated as a panelist, sharing his experience and perspective on the important work of prosecutors and the role they play in our criminal justice system for the National District Attorneys Association (NDAA) virtual panel discussion.

The discussion covered a wide range of topics, including the challenges and rewards of prosecution, and the importance of working collaboratively with law enforcement.

Other questions focused on the personal and professional realities of being a prosecutor, including providing opportunities for professional development and hands-on learning through internships. We thank the NDAA for including State's Attorney Gibson in this important panel discussion.

The Howard County State's Attorney's Office will be closed this Monday, October 12th in observance of Indigenous Peoples...
10/08/2026

The Howard County State's Attorney's Office will be closed this Monday, October 12th in observance of Indigenous Peoples' Day. We will resume normal operations on Tuesday, October 13th.

Address

9250 Judicial Way
Ellicott City, MD
21043

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 5pm
Tuesday 9am - 5pm
Wednesday 9am - 5pm
Thursday 9am - 5pm
Friday 9am - 5pm

Telephone

+14103132108

Website

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