Jody Owens

Jody Owens is the District Attorney (DA) of Hinds County, Mississippi (Jackson). Jody Owens has spent his entire career defending marginalized people from mass incarceration, private prisons, and the school-to-prison pipeline. Jody Owens has also fought tirelessly for civil rights as Managing Attorney of the Mississippi office of the Southern Poverty Law Center.

Jody Owens is fighting to stop mass incarceration and for long-lasting, real reform to the justice system. His goal is to establish a new re-entry program to help people find jobs or continue their education after serving time, utilize mental health and rehab programs so that people can get the help they need, work to end cash bail, invest in restorative justice programs, and much more.

Hinds County is the largest county in Mississippi – a state that has one of the highest rates of incarceration in the country. Jody Owens is excited to make an impact in his community.

Jody Owens prior to becoming the DA was the Managing Attorney of the Mississippi office of the Southern Poverty Law Center since 2011. In that role, he brought civil rights cases throughout Mississippi.
In his legal career, he has tried civil and criminal jury trials. Jody Owens has experience litigating cases several states, including Florida, Louisiana, and Mississippi both in state and federal court. Previously, he served as a Hinds County Special Prosecutor.

Jody Owens is a graduate of Jackson State University and received his law degree from Howard University Law School. Jody Owens is a Lieutenant in the United States Navy Reserves and has proudly served his country for over seven years. Jody Owens is deeply involved in his community where he has served on multiple boards, including the Mississippi Art Museum and Springboard to Opportunities. He is married to Dr. Michelle Owens and they have three beautiful children.