Judge Krystal Q. Alves: Professional Background and Legal Expertise

Hon. Krystal Q. Alves is an associate judge for the Prince George’s County Circuit Court in the Seventh Judicial Circuit of Maryland. She was appointed to the bench by former Governor Martin O’Malley on September 8, 2011.

Alves began her judicial career as an associate judge for the Prince George’s District Court in the Fifth District in 2005.

Before that, she held positions in both the public and private sectors. Alves served as an assistant state’s attorney with the Prince George’s County State’s Attorney’s Office (1992 to 1994, 1995 to 2001) and also held an assignment as Chief of its Juvenile Division (2003 to 2005). In addition, she was a former associate county attorney in Prince George’s County (2001 to 2003).

Her private practice included a brief stint as an associate at Krauser & Taub, P.C. (1994 to 1995).

Alves also taught paralegal studies, legal research, and business law as an adjunct faculty member at Prince George’s Community College.

She received a B.A. in journalism from Howard University in 1986. Alves went on to complete a J.D. at Howard University School of Law in 1991. She was admitted to practice in Maryland (1991) and the United States District Court for the District of Maryland.

After graduating from law school, Alves began her legal career as a law clerk to the Hon. William D. Missouri with the Prince George’s County Circuit Court (1991 to 1992).

Her memberships have included the Maryland State Bar Association, the American Bar Association, the National Bar Association, the Prince George’s County Bar Association (past president), the J. Franklyn Bourne Bar Association, the Marlborough Inns of Court, the National Black Prosecutor’s Association, the Maryland State Bar Association Leadership Academy, the Maryland Bar Foundation, the Pro Bono Resource Center (vice-president), the National Association of Women Judges, and the Harry A. Cole Judicial Council.

She has also sat on various committees with the Maryland Judicial Council and Judicial Conference.

Alves received the President’s Award from the Prince George’s County Bar Association.

She was born in Chicago, Illinois.