Murfreesboro, Tenn. — Jennings Jones’ daily focus is getting justice for victims. That mission drives him and his office of 24 Assistant District Attorneys (ADAs) serving Rutherford and Cannon counties in Tennessee. “Victims, especially those of serious crimes, feel helpless, violated, and angry,” said Jones, District Attorney of the 16th Judicial District and a career prosecutor.

“Some of the more serious crimes that come through the office really do boil your blood. When we first meet with victims, we let them know that we believe them, and then we work to reach an outcome that is acceptable to the victim. We sit down and we listen to them,” Jones said. “We want to help them get some closure, to make them whole as much as possible through the justice system.”

Jones has served as District Attorney since 2014. He was born and raised in Rutherford County, Tennessee, graduating from Webb School in Bell Buckle, Washington and Lee University in Virginia, and the University of Memphis School of Law. He joined the District Attorney’s Office in 1998 and worked as an assistant district attorney for 16 years before running for District Attorney 11 years ago.

Growing up, Jones worked summers on his grandparents’ dairy farm, and during college he worked summers at Murfreesboro Ready Mix.

“Working those jobs was good, hard work,” he said. “We got up early and worked outside all day long. I think my dad’s objective was to keep my brother and me busy and tired.”

He also learned he did not want to do that type of work for the rest of his life.

“I got my degree in accounting, but I always knew I wanted to go to law school,” Jones said. He graduated from law school in 1998 and returned home to look for a job.

“When I finished law school, I applied for a job at the District Attorney’s Office and was fortunate enough to be hired by General Bill Whitesell,” Jones said.

Jones spent 16 years as an ADA and now 11 years as District Attorney. As an ADA, he worked in General Sessions Court and Circuit Court.

“I learned about the actual practice of law, and I had a lot of motions and trial work — everything from first-degree murder to dogs at large. I really enjoyed trying cases,” he said.

Today, Jones rarely tries cases himself, but he works closely with his ADAs. Each month, his office receives grand jury results from Rutherford County, averaging between 100 and 150 cases. Jones and his team evaluate the cases, review evidence, make offers, set plea agreements, and prepare for trials.

Jones said the geographic area his office covers is considered a “corridor jurisdiction” due to Interstate 24 and its connection from the Southwest to the East Coast of the United States.

“That brings us a lot of drug cases. Additionally, our growth and proximity to Davidson County have caused a surge in the amount of violent crime we are seeing,” he said.

Jones noted that child-related crimes have also increased.

“These cases are very emotional and painful,” he said. “We see far too many cases of child physical or sexual abuse. Crimes against children are among the most serious cases that come through the office. I am fortunate to have two very skilled and dedicated prosecutors who are exceptionally good, and their work produces some of the lengthiest sentences we see.”

Jones’ office works closely with the Child Advocacy Center (CAC). The Child Advocacy Center of Rutherford County is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 2000 to provide safety, justice, and healing for victims of child abuse and child sexual abuse, drug-endangered children, and their non-offending family members.

Before the CAC was established in 1999, the District Attorney’s Office did not have designated child abuse prosecutors and reviewed approximately 10 new child-related cases per month. Today, two dedicated prosecutors review approximately 80 cases per month. A serial child sexual abuse offender can have as many as 400 victims over a lifetime.

“When it comes to cases involving child victims — physical abuse or sexual abuse — the CAC fills a critical role by interviewing the victim to help us understand what happened,” Jones said. “These interviews are very neutral. The interviewer does not guide the interview; instead, the child guides it. These interviews help my ADAs determine what occurred. Because of this process, our office has had a great deal of success in convicting defendants who have committed crimes against children. The CAC model is the accepted best practice across Tennessee and much of the United States, and it is an invaluable resource.”

Over the past 25 years, the CAC has served more than 50,867 people. That includes approximately 22,000 children and approximately 16,500 individuals who have participated in the CAC’s Darkness to Light child sexual abuse prevention training.

The work of the District Attorney’s Office is difficult.

“At the end of the day, we need to leave our cases here at the office and not take them home,” Jones said. “If you carry all of that stress and emotional baggage with you, it has a very real effect.”

“At the same time, we care deeply about the people we meet with. We cannot be cold or lack compassion. Sometimes our hands are tied, and we must follow the law as the legislature gives it to us. We try to do that in a humane way that considers the victim and the impact on them.”

With 27 years in the profession, Jones has no plans to change course.

“This is where I want to be,” he said. “I plan to stay for a long time.”

• For more information, visit cacrutherford.org.