We are committed to implementing fair and forward-thinking criminal justice policies, creating opportunities for youth and disadvantaged people through innovative intervention and prevention programs while keeping our communities safe from violent offenders. Balancing mercy, justice and accountability under the law for all people in Montgomery County is the ultimate goal.
John McCarthy was born on March 3, 1952 in Jersey City, New Jersey. John is the oldest of six children. John's father, John 'Jack' McCarthy, now deceased, was a World War II Navy Veteran who served his country in both the European and Asian theaters. Following World War II, John's father attended Georgetown University on the GI Bill. John's mother, Jane, also deceased, was the oldest of nine children. John's commitment to public service was inspired by the example of his parents.
John attended both grammar and high school in the New Jersey suburbs outside of Philadelphia. John graduated from Camden Catholic High School in Cherry Hill, New Jersey in 1970, where he served as student government president his senior year. John attended Catholic University of America on a baseball scholarship between 1970 and 1974. Following his graduation from Catholic University, John taught at Good Counsel High School in Wheaton, Maryland and, while teaching, John attended law school in the evenings at the University of Baltimore. John graduated in 1979. John was admitted to the Maryland Bar in 1979 and began his legal career in private practice. John joined the State's Attorney's Office for Prince George's County in 1980 and eighteen months later became a Public Defender in Montgomery County. John joined the State's Attorney's Office for Montgomery County in 1982.
Before ascending to the position of State's Attorney in 2006, John served as Deputy State's Attorney in Montgomery County for ten years. Prior to that, John had headed every major trial division in the office. John is the father of four children, and grandfather to five.