JJ Morgan

Jonathan "JJ" Morgan is an influencer in the justice reform space and a frequent speaker at national conferences. He is a current PhD student in Criminal Justice and Dean's Fellow at University of Cincinnati. As a formerly incarcerated leader and former law enforcement officer, JJ uses his unique knowledge on both sides of the law to help people, inform his research, and create change.

As Founder and Executive Director of Florida Justice Center, the state's only legal aid organization dedicated to helping justice-involved people overcome legal barriers to success, JJ positively impacted over 10,000 lives.

JJ's research interests include collateral consequences, reentry best practices, restorative justice, sentencing disparities, and mental health responder/co-responder programs.

PhD (Currently Enrolled): University of Cincinnati Cincinnati, OH, 2028 (Criminal Justice)

Master of Science: Lamar University Beaumont, TX, 2023 (Criminal Justice)

Master of Business Administration: University of Phoenix Phoenix, AZ, 2011 (Business Administration)

Bachelor of Arts: Eckerd College St. Petersburg, FL, 2002 (History)

Undergraduate Certificate: St. Petersburg College St. Petersburg, FL, 2000 (Basic Law Enforcement)

Collateral consequences
Prison reentry best practices
Restorative justice
Sentencing disparities
Mental health responder/co-responder programs

2019 -2024 Executive Director / Founder, Founder and Executive Director of the first legal aid in Florida focused on helping people overcome collateral consequences of an arrest and/or conviction. Accomplishments included leadership of over 20 staff and interns, securing over $1.3 million in funding, creation of Florida's first bail fund, and assisting over 10,000 people with 13,000 legal services., Florida Justice Center, Fort Lauderdale, FL

2002 -2011 Deputy Sheriff / Detective, Served as patrol officer and property crimes detective enforcing local, county, and state criminal and traffic laws. Also served as liaison to the LGBT+ community, sexual offender coordinator, nationwide extradition officer, and founder of the Homeless Outreach Unit., Broward Sheriff's Office, Fort Lauderdale, FL

Academic - School of Criminal Justice
660 Teachers-Dyer Complex
Cincinnati  Ohio, 45221-0389