2nd Circuit District Attorney’s Office
700 Court Square
Greenville, AL 36037
(334)382-7444 /  

Jessica is a 2003 graduate of Cumberland School of Law and a graduate of Troy University with a BA in English. She has been a Chief Assistant District Attorney since 2007. She is an attorney for all felony cases, and oversees and supervises the prosecution of all felony, misdemeanor, juvenile and civil forfeiture cases in Butler, Crenshaw and Lowndes Counties.

Jessica has participated in the National District Attorneys Association and serving as the Chief Justice of the Henry Upson Sims Moot Court Board as well as a National Moot Court Team Member. She has been honored with the Hand Arendall Award for Excellence in Appellate Advocacy, Order of Barristers, Dean’s List, and a part of the faculty selected for Who’s Who Among Students in American Universities and Colleges. Jessica is a member of the Butler County Children’s Advocacy Center Interdisciplinary Team, Heritage Baptist Church, East Family Branch YMCA, Dalraida Elementary Parent Teacher Association and classroom volunteer, Butler County Bar Association, Troy University Montgomery Metro Alumni Association, and participated in the 2009 YMCA Partners for Youth Fundraising Campaign. She received the Shine Your Light Award in 2008 for service to the Advocacy Center and the successful prosecution of the rape and sodomy of a mentally limited child. Her interests include running 5ks, group cycling, reading, and photography.

The 2nd Judicial Circuit Judge who recommended Jessica said, “I have known Jessica since she started with the District Attorney’s office in 2005. I have had the opportunity to observe Jessica in court on a weekly basis at both the district and circuit level. She is a hard worker and manages a tremendous caseload for our three county circuit. She prosecutes the majority of the felony cases and manages a staff of over fifteen employees for District Attorney John Andrews. In her role as a prosecutor, it is evident that Jessica has a passion for her job. She has shared with me her personal story of being led to this career path following her grandmother’s murder. Jessica’s strong voice for victims of crime has proven how even the most tragic story can result in something very positive. Jessica would be an excellent choice for this program.”

In her own words Jessica said, “August 2008, two Kelley’s Grocery employees were shot to death for two hundred dollars during a robbery. A ten year old Butler County girl was raped and sodomized by a man she loved like a father. A Lowndes County grandmother was asleep, cradling her six month old granddaughter, when she was shot to death by a drive by shooting. A Lowndes County boy tried to hang himself in the school bathroom after his mother’s boyfriend sodomized him. He was eight years old. These are just a few of my clients, and I am their advocate. Servant leadership is at the core of everything a good prosecutor should be. Prosecutors are the mouth piece for victims who have lost their voice due to tragedy, and they serve every citizen of the state of Alabama – even the guilty ones. Ultimately, my obligation is to the state of Alabama and upholding its integrity. That requires making hard decisions and sometimes going forward to trial knowing you are going to lose. For example, an 80 year old woman was attacked and raped in her home in January 2003. Despite her age and being attacked while she slept, she was able to fight the suspect enough to cause a bleeding head wound. The victim also recognized the rapist, but she only knew his nickname. The attacker fled the scene. He was later picked up and questioned. He admitted to the rape. Also, DNA evidence confirmed he was the assailant. However, the defendant made bond, and never came back to court. He was eventually picked up six years later. By this time, the victim was stricken with Alzheimer’s and living in a nursing home in another part of the state. She rarely had any memories of the event. She was too frail physically and mentally to travel, which meant I had no victim-witness in a rape case. The physical evidence had been destroyed years earlier in a fire. None of the law enforcement officers could remember how they came into custody of the DNA evidence, and the only officer present for the statement had died. Additionally, the Supreme Court’s ruling in Crawford had since been released, which meant any testimonial statements made by the victim at the time would be excluded unless she was present in court to testify. What do you do with a case this horrendous, a defendant you know beyond all doubt is guilty, and not a lot of trial evidence? Our office decided that because we represent the state of Alabama we were obligated to proceed with trial on what we had. At that point, success was just getting it to the jury, and not being bounced out of court on directed verdict. Then, victory was measured by every minute the jury stayed out deliberating my meager case. Four hours later, I had lost the case, but I served the state of Alabama the best way I could. Let’s face it, no attorney likes to lose, and this was a losing case. My win/loss record took a hit. However, I served my circuit to the best of my ability, which is required of every prosecutor. Speaking out for those without a voice, making the tough and unpopular decisions, putting what is right ahead of winning is my definition of servant leadership, and as a prosecutor, it is my most important contribution to the legal profession. Understanding the needs of the counties and the people I serve goes into every decision I make regarding crime and punishment for the Second District. For example, Lowndes County is included in my circuit. Located in the Black Belt, it is one of the poorest counties in the state. Many of its citizens have no hot water, no electricity, and drug dealing is a community accepted way of life. In 2009, Butler County lost nearly 270 jobs in one month when a local plant closed, and the number of thefts in the circuit more than doubled, as a result. This type of community awareness creates varying shades of gray; nothing is ever black and white. Are these the types of criminals that need to be incarcerated or are they better served with probation, drug court, or pretrial diversion? On paper, they’re criminals who have violated state law. There is still a defendant; there is still a crime; and there is still a victim. However, as servant-leaders, prosecutors must decide whether the state’s best interest is served by showing leniency. During my time at the Second Circuit District Attorney’s office, I have met with Korean executives regarding inventory theft at the Hwashin plant. I sat next to a city mayor when he served as Grand Jury Foreperson, and saw firsthand his response to the effect his budget cuts have had on our local law enforcement. I get visits from the police officer stopping by to tell me about his new baby; the catholic priest who needs help with a ticket; the dependant who calls me by my first name; the farmer who lost his watermelon crop to vandalism; the summer youth program director that needs an assistant prosecutor to dress up as McGruff the Crime Dog; and the juvenile I prosecuted years earlier coming by to tell me about his first job. I can think of no other area of the legal profession that allows for such an unfiltered view of the needs of our state, and because I serve a public office, my door is always open. Citizens of the three-county-circuit I serve look to my office for answers, guidance, and sometimes just a place to vent, and as a prosecutor, this is my greatest contribution to the communities I serve. For me, participation in the Alabama State Bar Leadership Forum is an opportunity to gain a fresh perspective and renewed motivation. I want to learn new techniques and methods from other leaders, and make contact from other parts of the state. It will expand my view of the needs of the entire state, and give insight to how the Alabama State Bar serves Alabamians.”