Joseph L. Wright was born on November 14, 1967 in Prince George’s County, Maryland.  He lived in Baltimore City foster homes until age 9, when he was blessed with his adoptive parents Leroy and Sophronia Wright.  He recognizes that his experiences in the foster care system make him unique, as his personality was shaped during that time and he consequently developed a strong sense of self-reliance and independence.

Education

A product of the Prince George's County public school system, Joe’s journey to public service has been deliberate and well-ordered.  Joe attended Duval High and Takoma Academy, and received his Associates Degree from Prince George’s Community College (in 2001 he was recognized as the Alumni of the Year). Following his graduation from P.G.C.C., he earned a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science at Howard University, where he was inducted into the Pi Sigma Alpha Political Science Honor Society.  It was at Howard where he met his wife of twelve years, Shawn Wright. Upon their graduation from Howard, Shawn attended law school in California while Joe traveled to Tulane Law School in New Orleans, Louisiana.

Family

After graduating from law school Joe and Shawn reunited and were married on October 12, 1997.  Shawn is now a partner with the D.C. law firm Blank Rome LLP, where she specializes in white collar criminal defense and Foreign Corrupt Practices Act violations.  Joe and Shawn reside in Upper Marlboro and are the proud parents of Jalen, 11, and Joie, 8.

Career

When Joe is asked why he decided to pursue a career in law, and specifically in prosecution, he says, “I knew I wanted to help people.  Prosecution is a practice for the unsung hero.  It is about protecting our communities and neighborhoods from violence and dangerous crime.  I am a guardian of all that is right and just.”  This belief was exemplified in the now-famous Marlo Furniture / Keith Washington case, in which Mr. Washington, an off-duty Prince George’s County police officer, shot two Marlo Furniture deliverymen, killing one of them.  Mr. Wright pushed to try the case despite resistance within the State's Attorney's office, and is the first person in the history of the County to successfully prosecute a police officer for brutality.

Although the Keith Washington case is Joe's best-known, the passion and commitment that he demonstrated there has been present in every case he has prosecuted over the past twelve years.  There is no one better positioned or prepared to serve as Prince George’s County State’s Attorney than Joseph Wright.

Community Involvement

In addition to his professional commitment to Prince George’s County, he is also an active member of his community. He has helped raise money for the Family Crisis Center, has served as a board member of the Kettering Civic Federation, has served as a past legal counsel to the Prince George’s County Young Democrats, and has coached Fairmont Heights' Mock Trial Team for the MSBA Mock Trial program. He has served in leadership positions within the Maryland State Bar Association and the Prince George’s County Bar Association.  Joe also finds time to serve as a board member of the Prince George’s County Ethics Panel for the Board of Education, an Adjunct Faculty member at Columbia Union College, and an Adjunct Faculty member at Prince George’s Community College.