St. Mary’s County State’s Attorney Jaymi Sterling served as faculty for the 2026 Maryland Institute for Prosecutors, a three-day training program for law students hosted by the Maryland State’s Attorneys’ Association Aug. 10–12.
The program gave students from Maryland and D.C. law schools both classroom and courtroom instruction in trial advocacy, litigation, and public service. This year’s Institute included a shooting simulation run with the Baltimore Police Department and a presentation from Chief Judge Greg Wells of the Appellate Court of Maryland.
“Investing in the next generation of public servants is essential to upholding justice, protecting victims, and keeping our communities safe,” Sterling said. “The program offered law students invaluable insight into courtroom advocacy. It was my absolute honor to participate in the program. The future of prosecution in Maryland is exceptionally bright.”
Sterling, who became St. Mary’s County’s State’s Attorney in 2022 after winning election with 70% of the vote, is the first woman elected to the position in county history and the first Asian American elected as a state’s attorney anywhere in Maryland. Before returning to St. Mary’s County as the county’s top prosecutor, she worked as a prosecutor in Frederick County and Anne Arundel County and served as a special assistant U.S. attorney. She now oversees 53 employees as the county’s chief law enforcement officer and lead prosecutor.
At the Institute, Sterling took part in four instructional panels. In “The Role of the Maryland State’s Attorney,” she joined Frederick County State’s Attorney Charlie Smith and Harford County State’s Attorney Alison Healey. For “Working with Victims,” she joined a session led by Anne Arundel County State’s Attorney’s Office Director of Victim/Witness Services Joan Stammnitz. In “Interviewing Tips from Elected State’s Attorneys,” she was joined by Baltimore City State’s Attorney Ivan Bates, Howard County State’s Attorney Rich Gibson, Healey again, and Montgomery County State’s Attorney John McCarthy to discuss professional development and career progression. Sterling also helped present a “Driving Under the Influence Trial” session alongside St. Mary’s County Deputy State’s Attorney Alena Mosier and Maryland State Police Cpl. Chris Ditoto.
“I’m deeply grateful to our State’s Attorneys and law enforcement partners whose support made the Maryland Institute for Prosecutors possible,” MSAA Coordinator Kirsten Brown said. “There is no greater calling than serving the public as a prosecutor and helping train rising 2L and 3L students is one of the true privileges of my work.”
