New Anne Arundel register of wills seeks to regain trust after predecessor’s guilty plea

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Anne Arundel County has sworn in a new register of wills after her predecessor pled guilty to misconduct in office last week for cashing a $6,645 check. 

Jasmine M. Jackson, who has worked in the county’s register of wills office since 2008 and most recently as the chief auditor, took office Tuesday as register of wills for Anne Arundel.

Jackson said in an interview Friday that she’s committed to bringing back public trust in the office and is excited to step into her new role, noting she has learned during her 16-year tenure with the office that providing compassion and knowledge during the probate process is essential in assisting grieving families.

“I want the citizens of Anne Arundel County to know that educating the public on the estate process and the importance of having a will, will always be a priority for me,” Jackson said. “For now, my priority is to regain the trust of the citizens of Anne Arundel County and the State of Maryland as a whole.”

Jackson said that any community engagement the office has with the public going forward will align with the other register of wills offices, referring to the implementation of educational outreach events on the estate process that she said her predecessor began.

“Our office is here to provide excellent public service to the citizens of Anne Arundel County in the most trying of times with knowledge, compassion, honor and integrity,” Jackson added.

In January, prosecutors indicted the county’s former register of wills, Erica Griswold, on charges of committing misconduct in office, misappropriating funds and stealing money by cashing a $6,645 check in June 2023 intended for payment to the office for an estate tax.

Last week, Griswold pled guilty to the misconduct in office charge. In exchange, prosecutors agreed to recommend a suspended sentence of 18 months incarceration with three years of supervised probation. Griswold has also agreed to complete 50 hours of community service within one year from the date of her guilty plea, according to court documents.

Pursuant to the plea agreement, prosecutors will not prosecute Griswold for the other related charges of misappropriation and theft.

Griswold’s sentencing is scheduled for July 18 at the Anne Arundel County Circuit Court.