In profile: Richard A. Malone.

• Position: National Association of Prosecutor Coordinators president - Interview

IN AUGUST 2008, Richard A. (Rick) Malone, the executive director of the Prosecuting Attorneys' Council of Georgia, was elected president of the National Association of Prosecutor Coordinators. In this position, Rick also serves as a member of the NDAA board.

A native Georgian, he was born in Atlanta in 1949. Malone received his B.A. in history from the University of Georgia in 1972 before attending John Marshall Law School in Savannah. While attending law school Malone taught social studies and science in the Wayne County Schools.

Upon being admitted to the bar in 1975 Malone practiced law until May 1977 when he joined the Middle Judicial Circuit District Attorney's office. Malone became the chief assistant district attorney in 1980 and acting district attorney in August 1982. Malone was elected district attorney in November 1982 and served in that position until December 31, 2000, when he assumed his current position as executive director of the Prosecuting Attorneys' Council of Georgia.

When asked why he chose to become a prosecutor after private practice, Malone replied, "Prosecution chose me. I had practiced for about a year when I defended my first case. My client was not guilty as charged but was certainly no saint. After he was released, he borrowed the fee I made to get out of town and I've not heard from him since.

"Why I stay in the profession is that I never could charge my clients because they needed the money as badly as I did. I loved the clarity of knowing that I did not have to represent any cause that I did not believe in.

"I know that I have done the right thing by both victims and defendants. They may not agree but my conscience is clear."

Among his awards, Malone was chosen District Attorney of the Year in 1990. Malone primarily prosecuted homicide cases in the Middle Circuit but also worked cases involving children both as victims...