The Aisha Braveboy Interview

What is your morning routine?
A: The first thing I do is get up and walk my dogs. Then, I make my favorite tea with fresh ginger and lemon and prepare for the first morning meeting.

How would you describe what you do?
A: As State’s Attorney, I am not only the top law enforcement officer in the County, but the top “Problem Solver”.  I am responsible for the safety and security of over 900,000 residents.  Since taking office, I have ushered in significant changes in how individuals and cases are handled to ensure not only that justice is administered in Prince George’s County, but that it is done fairly. In my first year, I announced that my office would no longer require cash bail as a requirement for pre-trial release in cases where the person is not a danger to society and does not pose a flight risk.  That is a major policy change, which will ensure that individuals who cannot afford bail will not languish in jail.  I also reorganized the Juvenile Justice Unit, renamed it the Youth Justice Unit and created community partnerships to end the school-to-prison pipeline, which is one of my major priorities.  I also created new units in the office to administer justice in a way that was fair and responsive to the call for reform.  The Public Integrity Unit focuses on police misconduct, excessive use of force and corruption cases.  The Conviction and Sentencing Integrity Unit, the only one of its kind in the State, reviews cases where there are questions or doubts about conviction or a sentence that has been imposed.  That unit is doing ground-breaking work around juvenile lifers. In addition, I am expanding diversion opportunities.  We have doubled the number of participants in the “Back on Track” program, which focuses on giving first-time felony drug offenders a second chance.

What is the last book or article you read and what was your biggest takeaway?
A: I recently read an article in Essence Magazine entitled “HBCUs are Our Future” written by Donna M. Owens.  My biggest takeaways were how critically important HBCUs are to the future advancement of our communities and the important leadership opportunities they present, especially for women like Bowie State University President, Aminta Breaux.  Currently, I make contributions to my alma mater, Howard University School of Law, but I will increase my financial commitment to the institution.

Identify one trend in your industry you predict will change how business is done?
A: As the county moves to greater transparency, our office will be able to have better access to critically important information that helps us to make better decisions on how we handle criminal cases. It also helps as we transition to a reformative and restorative system of justice. It opens more opportunities as to how we address people who commit criminal offenses.

What’s your favorite productivity habit?
A: I have a vision of growth for all of the attorneys and staff who work in the State’s Attorney’s Office.  I take the time to identify strengths and weaknesses of each staff member and match their skills and work habits to individual tasks and cases which enables their skills, abilities and talents to be highlighted more.  This process leads to better and stronger growth for all employees.

In business what is something that most people learn only after it’s too late?
A: To ask for help.

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About Aisha Braveboy:

As State’s Attorney Aisha Braveboy is the top law enforcement officer in the County, responsible for the safety and security of over 900,000 citizens.  Her motto for the Office under her administration, is that “Crime is personal…personal to the victim, personal to the community and personal to the State’s Attorney’s Office.”

Ms. Braveboy is ushering in significant changes in how individuals and cases are handled to ensure not only that justice is administered in Prince George’s County, but that it is done fairly.

During her first-ever State of Justice event, she announced that the County will no longer require cash bail as a requirement for pre-trial release in cases where the person isn’t a danger to society and doesn’t pose a flight risk.  That is a major policy change, which ensures that individuals who can’t afford bail will not languish in jail.  She has also reorganized her juvenile justice unit and created community partnerships to end the school to prison pipeline, one of her major priorities.  Ms. Braveboy has created a number of new units in her office to better address criminal justice needs.  The Public Integrity Unit focuses on police misconduct, excessive use of force and corruption cases.  The Conviction and Sentencing Integrity Unit, the only one of its kind in the state, reviews cases where there are questions or doubts about a sentence that has been handed down.  In addition, Ms. Braveboy is expanding diversion opportunities.  She has doubled the number of participants in the Back-On-Track program, which focuses on giving first-time felony drug offenders a second chance.  She has also created the Drive Focused, Sober and Safe campaign and increased participation in the monthly Community in The Courthouse sessions.

Prior to being elected as State’s Attorney, Ms. Braveboy served as the Manager of Government Affairs for Children’s National Health System.  Ms. Braveboy was also Of Counsel with Gabriel J. Christian and Associates, where she represented clients in criminal and civil matters.  In addition, Ms. Braveboy, for over 17 years, served as General Counsel for the Community Public Awareness Council (C-PAC), a community-based juvenile diversionary program that has successfully diverted over 4,000 students from the criminal justice system.

In 2006, Ms. Braveboy was elected to represent the 25th Legislative District in the Maryland General Assembly.  As a Delegate, Ms. Braveboy was appointed by the Speaker of the House to serve as Chair of the Consumer Protection Subcommittee.  She was elected by her peers to serve as Chair of the Legislative Black Caucus of Maryland, where she guided the 44-member organization on a wide range of policy issues including parity for Historically Black Colleges and Universities, reducing mass incarceration, enhancing tools to prosecute rapists, increasing opportunities for women and minority-owned businesses and reducing health disparities in our State.

Ms. Braveboy graduated from the University of Maryland College Park, where she received her Bachelor of Arts Degree in Government and Politics.  She also received her Juris Doctorate from Howard University School of Law.  Ms. Braveboy is a member of the Sanctuary at Kingdom Square and Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc.

Social Media:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/SABraveboy/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/pgsaonews