For Immediate Release

Two members of Georgia’s prosecutorial community have been elected to serve as leaders on the Criminal Justice Coordinating Council’s Board of Directors.  Brenda Hoffmeyer, Director of the prosecution-based Victim Witness Assistance Program in the Conasauga Judicial Circuit, will serve on the Council as vice-chairwoman in 2009 and will become chair in 2010.  Rick Malone, Executive Director of the Prosecuting Attorneys’ Council of Georgia, will serve as secretary-treasurer in 2009 and serve as vice chair in 2010.  This year, the two will serve alongside Chairman Sammy Jones, Judge of Fulton County Juvenile Court.

According to the Council, its purpose is to enhance the effectiveness of Georgia’s criminal justice system by building knowledge and partnerships among state and local government agencies and non-governmental organizations.  The goal is to develop and sustain results-driven programs, services and activities. It serves as the state administrative agency for numerous federal grant programs and manages state grant programs funded by the Georgia General Assembly. The council conducts planning, research and evaluation activities to improve criminal justice system operations and coordination. It operates Georgia’s Crime Victims Compensation Program which utilizes federal funds and fee and fine proceeds to provide financial assistance to victims of violent crime.

As elected officials, Hoffmeyer and Malone will serve on the Executive Committee, in addition to other committees assigned by the chairman. Both currently sit on the Crime Victims Compensation Appeals Committee, where Malone serves as chair and Hoffmeyer serves as vice-chair.

Leadership for the CJCC is selected by the Criminal Justice Coordinating Council, made up of members from 14 state agencies, along with 10 gubernatorial appointees.

“I appreciate the opportunity to continue to serve prosecutors and the criminal justice community,” said Rick Malone.  Both Brenda and I have experience that will serve us well in this capacity.”