John Choi made history in 2011 when he was sworn in as the first Korean American chief prosecutor in the United States. Since then, he has emerged as a prominent state and national figure in the realm of progressive justice reform. Working alongside public officials and community stakeholders, John Choi has been instrumental in reimagining the justice system and redefining the role of prosecutors within it.
Choi’s innovative and collaborative approach has significantly transformed governmental responses to critical issues such as domestic violence, sex trafficking, and sexual assaults in Minnesota. His initiatives have focused on enhancing support systems for victims and survivors, ensuring they receive the care and justice they deserve.
Beyond victim support, John Choi has been a vocal advocate for violence prevention, particularly through engaging men and boys in preventing violence against women and girls. He has successfully championed legislation aimed at reuniting families when it aligns with the best interests of children in foster care. Furthermore, Choi has actively advocated for the reform of state drug laws, pushing for reinvestment of savings into community-based solutions that address the root causes of crime. His commitment to holistic justice is evident in the establishment of a Veterans Court, designed to address the unique needs of veterans within the legal system.
Expanding the traditional prosecutor’s role, John Choi has worked to assure justice by mitigating collateral consequences for individuals who have interacted with the legal system. This includes facilitating the sealing of records for those successfully rehabilitated, reviewing past convictions and sentences to ensure integrity and fairness, and developing more effective responses to youth entering the legal system. A key component of his approach involves engaging impacted communities in collaboratively reviewing cases and implementing restorative justice practices to address underlying needs and repair harm within the community.
In a recent initiative, John Choi collaborated with county law enforcement leaders to address racial disparities in traffic stops. By reducing reliance on stops for minor equipment violations, these stops have significantly decreased, while moving violations have increased as a proportion of all stops. This shift has led to a reduction of over 50% in racial disparities related to these stops and associated searches. Further demonstrating his commitment to equitable solutions, a program has been established to send letters to vehicle owners, offering financial assistance for repairs or vehicle registration renewal, effectively replacing non-public-safety stops with supportive measures.
John Choi’s influence extends beyond his prosecutorial role through his service on numerous boards, including the Mitchell Hamline School of Law, Veterans Defense Project, Law Enforcement Leaders to Reduce Crime and Incarceration, Association of Prosecuting Attorneys, the National Policing Institute, the Karpel Foundation, and A Call to Men. His past leadership roles include president of the Minnesota County Attorneys Association, trustee for the Women’s Foundation of Minnesota, and board member of the Minnesota Coalition Against Sexual Assault, highlighting his long-standing dedication to public service and social justice.
His impactful work has been recognized with several prestigious awards. John Choi received the 2015 Minnesota County Attorneys Association Award of Excellence for his innovative leadership in combating sex trafficking. In 2019, he was honored with the Profiles in Courage Award from the Minnesota Association of Black Lawyers for his efforts to improve prosecutor responses to officer-involved fatalities in Minnesota. Most recently, in 2023, he received the Professional Impact Award from End Violence Against Women International (EVAWI) for his significant contributions to improving community and system responses and outcomes for victim/survivors of sexual assault. Prior to his current role, John Choi served as Saint Paul City Attorney from 2006 to 2010 and spent a decade in private practice, building a robust foundation for his distinguished career in public service. He holds a bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Marquette University, a J.D. from Hamline University School of Law, and was a Humphrey Policy Fellow at the University of Minnesota, underscoring his commitment to continuous learning and leadership development.
