WASHINGTON, D. C. – Attorney General Karl A. Racine announced today that Mina Malik, an experienced prosecutor and prominent advocate for justice reform, will join the Office of the Attorney General for the District of Columbia (OAG) as Deputy Attorney General for the Public Safety Division.

As head of OAG’s Public Safety Division, Malik will oversee a core component of OAG’s work, including the majority of the District’s juvenile prosecutions and the prosecution of certain adult cases (such as impaired driving, some weapons offenses, and economic crimes). She will spearhead OAG’s ongoing efforts to improve public safety in the District of Columbia through vigorous prosecution of violent offenders and implementation of smart, data-driven programs that rehabilitate and redirect low-level, non-violent offenders.

“Mina Malik’s leadership at the forefront of progressive prosecution—including advocating for victims of crime and for fairness and accountability in the justice system—will be a major asset to our work and to public safety in the District of Columbia,” said Attorney General Racine. “As head of our Public Safety Division, Ms. Malik will lead OAG’s efforts to prevent and interrupt violence in the community, support vulnerable youth, and implement smart, data-driven reforms that make the District safer. We are very pleased to welcome her to our team.”

Malik comes to OAG from Harvard Law School, where she serves as a lecturer and senior advisor to the Fair Punishment Project, an initiative which seeks to create a fair and accountable justice system through legal action, public discourse and education. She previously served as Executive Director of the New York City Civilian Complaint Review Board (CCRB), the nation’s largest police oversight agency. While there, she enhanced the organization at all levels, dramatically reducing the amount of time it took to conclude investigations, implementing more proactive forms of prosecution, launching data and transparency initiatives, and improving community relations and outreach.

Prior to her work at the CCRB, Malik served as Special Counsel to the Brooklyn District Attorney, where she assisted in overseeing the day-to-day operations of 1,200 employees. There, she helped institute some of the country’s most forward-thinking prosecution policies with respect to conviction review and low-level marijuana possession. She also revamped the prosecution of domestic violence, sex crimes, and crimes against children. Malik’s extensive legal experience also includes 15 years as Assistant District Attorney and later Senior Assistant District Attorney at the Queens County District Attorney’s Office. She also previously worked as an investigator for the D.C. Public Defender Service. Malik holds a Bachelor’s Degree from Bates College and a J.D. from The American University Washington College of Law.

“I am thrilled to return to the District of Columbia, and I am greatly honored to serve the people of Washington who rely on OAG's very important work,” Malik said. “Improving public safety and promoting progressive prosecution are two issues I am deeply passionate about. I look forward to working with the dynamic team at OAG, and advancing the Attorney General’s public-safety mission.”

Malik’s first day at OAG will be August 7, 2017.