Ivan J. Bates, Democrat for Baltimore City State's Attorney

Today we continue our series of Conversations with the Candidates...Here in Baltimore, the city’s top prosecutor is the Baltimore City State’s Attorney, an elective position that is often in the eye of the storm surrounding some very high profile criminal cases. The incumbent State’s Attorney, Marilyn Mosby, attracted national attention with her decision to indict six officers involved in the arrest of Freddie Gray in 2015. Mr. Gray died while in police custody. None of the indicted officers were convicted of a crime. But while cases like those involving Freddie Gray get a lot of scrutiny, the State’s Attorney’s office prosecuted more than 41,000 cases in 2017. The State’s Attorney oversees more than 400 people, including more than 200 lawyers, and the salary is the highest of any city employee. It’s a big job, and there are two people challenging the incumbent for it in next month’s Democratic primary. Tom's guest for the hour today is one of those challengers. Ivan J. Bates is a veteran litigator, defense attorney and city prosecutor. He earned his BA in journalism at Howard University in 1992 and got his Law Degree at William and Mary in 1995. He was admitted to the Maryland bar that year and after clerking for Judge David B. Mitchell on the Circuit Court of Baltimore City, he served as an assistant state’s attorney in Baltimore, where he worked in the Juvenile Crime Division and later, the Homicide Division. He started his own law practice in 2006.Ivan Bates is 49 years old. He and his wife, Dr. Lana Bates, live in Rampart Mews in South Baltimore with their daughters Brielle and London.During his Midday appearance, Mr. Bates also addresses listeners' calls, emails and social media comments. This conversation was Live Streamed on the WYPR Facebook page, and you can view the video here.Email us at [email protected], tweet us: @MiddayWYPR, or call us at 410-662-8780.