Mediation Center

The State's Attorney's Office's Mediation Center is one of the first of its kind. The center was founded in 1984 on the premise of providing citizens with a means of resolving their conflicts in a consensual, confidential manner. The Director of the Mediation Center, Jean Whyte, is recognized as a leader in the field of dispute resolution. With offices in Glen Burnie and Annapolis, the center can assist citizens in all parts of the County. Meetings are by appointment and special needs can be accommodated. The Mediation Center may be just the approach you need to resolve your problem without the burden and costs of going to court.

With the fast-paced world in which we live, it is very likely that you may be involved in some type of dispute. Whether the dispute is at home, at school, at work, or in your community, it can lead to great frustration. Often such disputes end up in court. In court, it is conceivable that the underlying problem may not be resolved and the parties will remain dissatisfied. Mediation provides a forum for individuals to talk out their problems with a neutral individual rather than drag them through the courts. Mediation empowers people to resolve their own problems in a constructive way and enables them to avoid conflict in the future.

The Mediation Center provides an alternative means of resolving:

Minor types of criminal charges; trespass, telephone abuse, malicious destruction of property, certain types of assault, and the like, before trial, and;
Intra-family disputes in which present or former spouses , boy/girlfriends, siblings, parents, or extended family members are caught up in domestic difficulties, and;
Incidents arising out of a multitude of neighbor vs. neighbor disputes prior to criminal charges being filed.

What happens in a mediation session?

At a reserved time (either in Annapolis or Glen Burnie) the mediator listens to both parties tell their side of what happened in an effort to understand how the dispute came about, and to learn how each party would like to see the problem resolved. Referrals may be made to agencies in the county to assist the parties in building skills that may be lacking (parenting, budgeting, etc.) Or to experts in the field of individual or family counseling,. The Mediator does not decide who is right or wrong; he or she merely assists the parties in coming to an acceptable solution.

What about lawyers or witnesses?

Parties may bring lawyers or witnesses if applicable. The sessions are brief - an hour or two depending on the issues involved - and informal. In mediation, the parties play an important role in resolving the dispute. The involvement of witnesses will be limited.

Then what?

When the parties reach an agreement which is put into brief, written form by the mediator. The parties sign the agreement and they are given a copy. In those matters involving a criminal charge, the mediator makes a recommendation to the Assistant State's Attorney about the disposition. Recommendations are subject to review by the State's Attorney's Office which retains final discretion.

What is the cost?

This is a service provided by the SAO. There is no cost to you. If you would like to obtain more information on the Mediation Center or would like to use its services, please call 410-260-1870.

Office Locations

Office of the State's Attorney
Mediation Center
251 Rowe Boulevard
Annapolis, Maryland 21401
(410) 260-1870 or 1872

Office of the State's Attorney
Mediation Center
7487 B & A Boulevard
Glen Burnie, Maryland 21061
(410) 222-6085 Ext. 3007

Anne Arundel
Conflict Resolution Center
2666 Riva Road, Suite 130
Heritage Center
Annapolis, MD 21401
(410) 266-9033