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State's Attorney · Queen Anne's County · 2026 Primary
The State’s Attorney is the county’s lead prosecutor, responsible for managing the legal office that handles all criminal cases on behalf of the public. This official decides whether to bring formal charges against individuals, oversees criminal trials, and works with law enforcement to address local crime. Because they determine how laws are enforced and which cases are prioritized, this office significantly shapes public safety and the local justice system.
View all candidates in this raceLance G. Richardson is the State's Attorney for Queen Anne's County, Maryland, having been appointed in January 2009 by Judge Thomas Ross after Frank Kratovil was elected to Congress. He graduated valedictorian from Queen Anne's County High School in 1986, earned his degree from University of Maryland in 1990, and completed law school at University of Baltimore in 1994. Richardson previously worked as an assistant public defender from 1996 until January 2003 before being hired as Deputy State's Attorney under Frank Kratovil. He has been re-elected by citizens in 2010, 2014, 2018 and 2022 for a fourth term filed on September 1, 2021. Richardson emphasizes rehabilitation over punishment alone, noting that people don't change unless underlying issues are treated, particularly addressing addiction as a common thread in offenses from DUI to more serious crimes.
Sources: Campaign website
Criminal Justice Reform
Richardson has started a Diversion Program centered around rehabilitation of first time, misdemeanor, non-violent offenders that is the first of its kind for Queen Anne's County and allows minor crimes to be adjudicated with minimal court involvement.
“Since becoming State's Attorney, Mr. Richardson has started a Diversion Program centered around the rehabilitation of first time, misdemeanor, non-violent, offenders.”
Addiction Treatment
Richardson collaborates with Right Turn Impact Treatment Center on DUI offenses and serious crimes where addiction is often the underlying issue that needs to be addressed.
“From DUI offenses to more serious crimes, there's often one common thread: addiction. And if we don't address it, we'll keep seeing the same people… over and over again.”
Youth Education
Richardson is an instructor in alcohol and drug education and a Character Counts Coach for Queen Anne's County schools while also speaking to students about his work.
“He is an instructor in alcohol and drug education and is a Character Counts Coach for Queen Anne's County schools.”
Online Safety
Richardson warns students that social media posts can have long-term consequences and explains how investigators obtain preserved content through court orders.
“"Once you hit send, it's always out there forever," Sheriff Hoffman said. "I send what's called a subpoena court order to Snapchat ... they'll send me the entire account," Richardson told the students”
External coverage reports Queen Anne's County Sheriff Hoffman and State's Attorney Lance Richardson visited a local classroom together to warn students about online risks including fake accounts, clickbait, and threats that trigger police response. Richardson explained his role in court proceedings when presenting evidence to judges or juries, while Sheriff Hoffman emphasized that once social media posts are sent they remain accessible forever. The speakers advised students to keep passwords private and tell adults if something online makes them uncomfortable.
“Since becoming State's Attorney, Mr. Richardson has started a Diversion Program centered around the rehabilitation of first time, misdemeanor, non-violent, offenders.”
Source“He is an instructor in alcohol and drug education and is a Character Counts Coach for Queen Anne's County schools”
Source“Mr. Richardson is active in area youth sports as a former coach and currently a referee.”
Source“"My job is when people go to court for breaking the law, that's where I have to present the evidence in court to a judge or a jury," Richardson told the students”
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