The Hinds County District Attorney’s Office reported a significant increase in felony cases resolved in 2024 compared to the previous year. According to a report released by the office, they resolved more than 1,135 cases with over 1,794 individual felony counts, representing a 21% increase from 2023.
The majority of these resolutions were guilty pleas, followed by pre-trial diversion programs such as drug courts. District Attorney Jody Owens attributed this success to his office’s focus on diverting people away from incarceration and helping them re-enter society.
Owens also highlighted the office’s progress in addressing a backlog of cases that had been building since 2020. He noted that his office was now resolving cases within 14 months, with a goal of reducing this time to just one year.
The Hinds County District Attorney’s Office faces additional challenges due to the expansion of the Capitol Police’s jurisdiction, which has brought an influx of new cases. Owens is seeking increased resources from county officials and state legislators to help manage these additional cases.
Source: https://www.mississippifreepress.org/hinds-county-making-progress-reducing-case-backlogs-da-says