District Attorney Jody E. Owens, II
District Attorney Jody E. Owens, II is a native of Terry, Mississippi and a graduate of Terry High School and received his Bachelor of Arts in English from Jackson State University where he graduated Summa Cum Laude. DA Owens attended Howard University School of Law in Washington, D.C where he was also a member of the Huver I. Brown Trial Advocacy Team and the Social Justice Law Review. While in Washington, D.C. District Attorney Owens worked for the late Senator Thad Cochran as a legal intern for the United State Senate Appropriations Committee.
In his previous work, DA Owens served as the Chief Policy Counsel and Managing Attorney of the Southern Poverty Law Center’s Mississippi Office, where he led efforts to reform the state’s criminal justice, education, and mental health systems. DA Owens has successfully litigated class action lawsuits on behalf of children and adults throughout the Deep South in matters concerning mass incarceration, private prisons, and ending the school to prison pipeline. DA Owens’ work brought to light horrific and unconstitutional conditions of confinement forced upon children and youth in many for-profit and public juvenile detention facilities. DA Owens was the Southern Policy Law Center’s first Chief Policy Counsel coordinating wherein he managed the policy work in Mississippi, Alabama, Louisiana, and Florida.
DA Owens has prosecuted and defended a range of criminal cases from misdemeanors to capital felonies, including sex crimes, crimes against children, and homicides. DA Owens has received two gubernatorial appoints by governors Phil Bryant and Tate Reeves due to his extensive knowledge on criminal justice issues. DA Owens is a national presenter and teacher on criminal justice reform. He is a recipient of the Presidential Award for Distinguished Contributions to Justice from the American Society of Criminology; he was named the top 40 under 40 by the National Bar Association and is a recipient of the Gutsy Advocate for Youth award by the National Justice Network.
Seventh Judicial District – Hinds County, Mississippi
The Hinds County District Attorney’s Office serves the Seventh Judicial District and is responsible for prosecuting all felony cases arising in Hinds County. This jurisdiction includes the City of Jackson—Mississippi’s capital and seat of government—as well as the municipalities of Raymond, Utica, Byram, Clinton, Terry, Edwards, Bolton, and Learned.
Each year, our office handles more than 2,000 felony cases across a wide range of offenses. The court docket includes, but is not limited to, the following categories:
Types of Cases We Prosecute
Crimes Against the Person: Including violent crimes, sex crimes, and gun violence
Property Crimes: Burglary, theft, arson, and related offenses
Crimes Involving Children: Such as child abuse, exploitation, and child sexual abuse
Crimes Against the State and County: Including misconduct and misappropriation of public resources
Public Corruption and Official Misconduct: Crimes involving elected or appointed officials
Election Crimes: Violations of election laws and voter fraud
White Collar and Fraud-Related Offenses: Including crimes against businesses, financial institutions, and state agencies
Public Health Violations: Crimes endangering the well-being of citizens
Public Safety Offenses: Including those related to organized crime or domestic terrorism
Animal Cruelty Offenses
Racketeering and Organized Crime
Cybercrime and Identity Theft
Hinds County encompasses the state capital and hosts the headquarters of many government agencies; Our office has significant jurisdiction over complex white-collar crimes and public corruption cases. Currently, the Hinds County District Attorney’s Office is prosecuting one of the largest public embezzlement schemes in Mississippi history.
Our Team and Partnerships
The District Attorney leads a dedicated team of Assistant District Attorneys, criminal investigators, program coordinators, and support staff. From our central office in the Hinds County Courthouse in downtown Jackson—and through our satellite locations across the county—we work closely with local, state, and federal law enforcement partners to ensure justice is served.
We prosecute cases referred by a wide range of agencies, including:
Hinds County Sheriff’s Office
Police Departments in Jackson, Raymond, Utica, Byram, Clinton, Terry, Edwards, Bolton, and Learned
Mississippi Bureau of Narcotics
Office of the State Auditor
Mississippi Department of Revenue
University of Mississippi Medical Center
Jackson State University
Other local and state law enforcement entities
Our Mission
Our mission is rooted in justice, accountability, and service to the community. We aim to:
Treat all individuals with dignity and respect
Support victims and families with compassion and transparency
Focus on the prosecution of crimes that have the greatest impact on community safety
Prevent re-victimization through trauma-informed practices
Reduce mass incarceration through data-driven, equitable prosecutorial policies
Uphold the highest ethical standards in every case
How a Case Moves
1. Crime Alleged & Investigation
- A case begins when a crime is reported.
- Law enforcement investigates to determine if sufficient evidence exists.
2. Charging Decision
- If no evidence of a crime is found, the case is closed.
- If evidence exists, the suspect may be arrested or a warrant issued.
3. Initial Hearings
- After arrest, the accused appears for a Bond Hearing and potentially a Preliminary Hearing to review probable cause.
- Bond may be reviewed or adjusted at this stage.
4. Grand Jury or Information Process
- The District Attorney may present the case to a Grand Jury.
- No Bill: Case dismissed (insufficient evidence).
- True Bill: Indictment issued — case proceeds to court.
- In some cases, the DA may file a Bill of Information instead of seeking a grand jury indictment.
5. Arraignment
- The defendant is formally charged in court, enters a plea, and bond is reviewed again.
6. Pre-Trial Process
- Discovery (exchange of evidence) and Pre-Trial Motions occur.
- The case may resolve through:
- Guilty Plea → Sentencing
- Diversion Program (if eligible)
- Trial
7. Trial and Verdict
- If the case goes to trial, possible outcomes:
- Not Guilty → Case dismissed.
- Guilty → Proceed to sentencing.
8. Post-Trial Options
- After conviction, the defendant may file:
- Post-Trial Motions (requesting a new trial)
- Post-Conviction Relief
9. Appeals Process
- Appeals may go to:
- Mississippi Court of Appeals, and then
- Mississippi Supreme Court
- Outcomes:
- Granted: New trial or dismissal.
- Denied: Conviction and sentence remain in effect.
Above all, we are committed to building a fair and effective justice system that protects the rights of all people while holding offenders accountable.