Adam Greivell Discusses Bid for Washington County State’s Attorney, Citing Systemic Issues

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Adam Greivell, a local attorney who has argued before the Maryland Supreme Court, has announced his candidacy for Washington County State’s Attorney, expressing a strong desire to reform what he perceives as significant flaws within the current justice system. In an interview outlining his motivations and platform, Greivell highlighted concerns about plea bargaining practices, a lack of accountability for governmental officials, and the need to restore public trust in the State’s Attorney’s Office (SAO). He aims to bring transparency, integrity, and accountability to the role, prioritizing a more robust enforcement of the law and a stronger deterrent effect on crime.

This article was updated 12/28/2025 10:15 PM with a few corrections from the candidate.

Greivell’s journey to this candidacy was preceded by a brief foray into judicial aspirations. He was nominated in 2019 by the Judicial Nominating Commission for Governor Hogan’s consideration to fill a vacancy on the Circuit Court. Hogan selected the late Hon. Andrew F. Wilkinson over Greivell. Greivell was up for consideration for Circuit Court judge again in 2022, when Gov. Hogan appointed Hon. Joseph S. Michael. Greivell ran a competitive race for Circuit Court judge against the freshly-minted incumbent, Judge Michael, narrowly missing a victory on the primary ballot. Initially, he had an idealistic view of the justice system, believing the system’s effectiveness hinged on impartial judges who adhered strictly to the law. His decision to run for judge (a tightly-time-constrained decision given the statutory deadline to file for candidacy was just days after Hogan selected Michael over Greivell) stemmed from a desire to contribute to this system, recognizing that judicial appointments often involve lengthy waiting periods. After an unsuccessful bid for a judgeship, Greivell redoubled his focus on his private practice, where he cultivated a selective approach to his casework, emphasizing in-depth work on impactful cases, including those involving challenges to government overreach and matters reaching the State Supreme Court. He described his current professional situation as rewarding and in many ways, ideal, allowing him to fight for his clients’ rights while maintaining flexibility to be present for his wife and children. This, he said, makes a transition to pretty much any other role a sacrifice.

The path to the State’s Attorney’s office also involved a period of involvement in local politics. Following the 2022 primary, Greivell assisted Neil Parrott in his congressional campaign. Subsequently, he was asked to fill a vacancy on the Washington County Republican Central Committee and eventually assumed the role of chairperson. While initially hesitant about political involvement, Greivell found the position rewarding and important, but conflicting with his family commitments more often than he felt his family deserved.. He subsequently planned a transition out of the leadership role. It was during the summer of 2024 that he began to receive encouragement to run for State’s Attorney, a position he had not previously desired (or even seriously considered), even though its salary is set by statute at 90% of a District Court judge’s salary.

However, Greivell believes the State’s Attorney’s office has a unique capacity to act as an active force for community improvement, a role distinct from the apolitical nature required of judges. He articulated a vision of an SAO that can actively pursue policies and enforce laws with the explicit goal of enhancing the community. His commitment to this cause is fueled by observations of what he describes as plea agreements that are too lenient, particularly in cases involving violent crime and significant financial malfeasance. He cited recent examples of individuals allegedly committing serious offenses, such as theft from youth sports organizations, who subsequently face minimal consequences, such as being required to repay only a portion of stolen funds without facing incarceration.

A significant concern for Greivell is the prevalence of plea bargains, which he argues, when used excessively, pervert the justice system. He noted statistics suggesting a high percentage of cases are resolved through plea agreements, often with the most serious charges being dropped. This practice, he contends, leads to either overcharging defendants or allowing them to avoid accountability for their most egregious actions. “They will tell you it’s a necessary evil but it’s not that necessary to be that evil about it,” said Greivell. He stated his intention to avoid a scenario where defendants can dictate outcomes by threatening to go to trial, asserting that cases should proceed to trial if sufficient evidence exists. He clarified that the SAO’s role is to prosecute crimes, not necessarily to ensure every person believed guilty is convicted, and that losing cases due to evidentiary flaws should be seen as an opportunity for improvement.

Greivell’s platform is built on transparency, integrity, and restoring accountability. He aims to rebuild public trust in the SAO and government institutions, which he believes are currently hampered by a lack of accountability, particularly concerning access to public records and compliance with open meetings laws. To address this, Greivell plans to establish a perjury task force to prosecute individuals who lie in legal documents or court testimony. Furthermore, he intends to create a government accountability task force to review complaints related to Public Information Act (PIA) and Open Meetings Act (OMA) violations, pursuing charges where appropriate. He emphasized that violations of PIA, which can carry misdemeanor penalties, would be treated with seriousness but similar to a speeding violation – willfully violate the PIA and get a fine up to $1,000.

Restoring the deterrent effect of the criminal justice system is another central tenet of Greivell’s campaign. He stressed the importance of holding criminals, especially those who target vulnerable populations or nonprofits, publicly accountable to discourage future offenses. Greivell indicated a departure from the current practice of charging individuals with severe offenses only to settle for lesser charges through plea deals. He anticipates an increase in trials and accepts the possibility of losing cases as a natural consequence of a more rigorous prosecution approach. He vowed to treat defendants with respect but assured that their cases would not be easy. “I don’t want repeat customers” said Greivell.

To enhance transparency, Greivell proposes implementing a public data dashboard that will provide real-time statistics on new charges, case dispositions, and plea agreements. This initiative, he believes, will offer the public greater insight into the workings of the SAO and reinforce the message that crime does not pay in Washington County.

Article by Ken Buckler, based upon information from Adam Greivell’s interview and campaign materials

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