Ivan J. Bates
Democratic · MD · Baltimore City State's Attorney, Maryland
Ivan J. Bates has served as Baltimore City's State's Attorney since January 2023. He previously worked as an assistant state's attorney, served in the U.S. Army, and practiced as both a prosecutor and defense attorney.
Where Ivan J. Bates stands, based on their records
Supports
Public Safety and Crime Control (8 records), Criminal Justice and Civil Liberties (1 record)
Track record
Track record — Public Safety and Crime Control
Public Safety and Crime Control · 8 support
Released a 99-page report opposing a bill to end automatic adult charging of juveniles for some serious crimes. He said the juvenile system was overburdened.
February 5, 2026Supports Public Safety and Crime Control
Source: stattorney.org
Publicly opposed a push to start every juvenile criminal case in juvenile court. He said it was bad for the community.
January 7, 2025Supports Public Safety and Crime Control
Source: foxbaltimore.com
Announced that his police integrity unit won indictments of five law enforcement officers. The charges included assault, excessive force, theft and misconduct in office.
February 20, 2024Supports Public Safety and Crime Control
Source: stattorney.org
Announced the Pava Marie LaPere Act with Delegate Elizabeth Embry. The bill proposed ending early-release credits for prisoners serving time for first-degree rape or sex offenses.
January 16, 2024Supports Public Safety and Crime Control
Source: wmar2news.com
Announced a joint 2024 legislative agenda with Prince George's County's prosecutor. It sought longer juvenile probation for gun and car theft cases.
December 14, 2023Supports Public Safety and Crime Control
Source: stattorney.org
Republished a list of 60 current and former police officers his prosecutors will not call to testify because of credibility problems. He also made the list's rules public.
September 18, 2023Supports Public Safety and Crime Control
Source: baltimoresun.com
Launched a citation program with the mayor, sheriff and police for quality-of-life crimes. Adults cited go to special court dockets that connect them to services.
June 1, 2023Supports Public Safety and Crime Control
Source: stattorney.org
Revoked his predecessor's policy of not prosecuting low-level crimes like drug possession, trespassing and prostitution on his first day as Baltimore State's Attorney.
January 3, 2023Supports Public Safety and Crime Control
Source: baltimoresun.com
Track record — Criminal Justice and Civil Liberties
Criminal Justice and Civil Liberties · 1 support
Made a bill his top 2026 priority to limit court commissioners from issuing arrest warrants based only on one person's statement, without evidence or police input.
January 14, 2026Supports Criminal Justice and Civil Liberties
Source: stattorney.org
Track record — General
General · 7 records
Received the endorsement of the group Restore America's Mission in his 2026 race for Baltimore City State's Attorney.
May 19, 2026
Source: natlawreview.com
Received Governor Wes Moore's endorsement for re-election as Baltimore City State's Attorney in 2026.
May 7, 2026
Source: wesmoore.com
Was elected unanimously as president of the Maryland State's Attorneys' Association, the group of all 24 county prosecutors, for a two-year term.
June 11, 2025
Source: stattorney.org
Withdrew the motion to throw out Adnan Syed's murder conviction that his predecessor had filed. He said it contained false and misleading statements.
February 25, 2025
Source: wmar2news.com
Endorsed Sheila Dixon for Baltimore mayor in 2024, over sitting Mayor Brandon Scott. He cited her record on crime.
April 8, 2024
Source: foxbaltimore.com
Dropped plans to keep running a nonprofit foundation that did not have to name its donors. He decided this after meeting with State Ethics Commission lawyers.
February 8, 2023
Source: thebanner.com
Dismissed all charges against Keith Davis Jr., who had been tried four times for one killing. Bates stepped aside and had his deputy review the case.
January 13, 2023
Source: stattorney.org
Past races Ivan J. Bates ran in:
- State's Attorney · November 3, 2026 · Baltimore city, Maryland · incumbent
- State's Attorney · June 23, 2026 · Baltimore city, Maryland · incumbent