Seth Banks grew up in Yancey County on a farm that has been in his family for five generations. Seth graduated from Mountain Heritage High School and attended N.C. State University. Seth graduated from the Wake Forest University School of Law and began working as an Assistant District Attorney.

Prosecutorial District 35

Seth is married to his high school sweetheart, Gretchen. Seth was appointed as District Attorney in the 24th Prosecutorial District by the governor in June 2014. In November 2014 Seth was elected to a full term as district attorney.

Seth Banks grew up in Yancey County. He attended N.C. State University and earned a law degree from the Wake Forest University School of Law. He is married to Gretchen.

Prosecutorial District 35 - North Carolina Conference of District ...

After completing law school, Seth became an assistant district attorney, handling large caseloads with cases ranging from first degree murder, to crimes against children, to felony assaults. He has successfully tried numerous trials to verdict before North Carolina juries. Currently, Banks is a partner with the firm Bailey and Banks, PLLC, located in Burnsville.

Meet Your Candidates for District Attorney in the 24th: Seth Banks, Nathan Miller, Britt Springer

Seth graduated from Mountain Heritage High School and attended N.C. State University. Seth graduated from the Wake Forest University School of Law and began working as an Assistant District Attorney. Seth has extensive experience in all aspects of prosecution, from serious assaults and murder to breaking and entering, trafficking of drugs, and crimes against children.

His commitment to excellence in his work has earned him the reputation of being a tough but fair prosecutor who is highly regarded by those who have worked with him. In recognition of his skill, expertise, and experience in the area of North Carolina Criminal Law, Seth has been certified by the North Carolina State Bar as a Specialist in State Criminal Law.

Seth is a partner with Bailey and Banks, PLLC, in Burnsville. He previously worked as an assistant district attorney and is certified by the North Carolina State Bar as a Specialist in State Criminal Law.

Meet Your Candidates for District Attorney in the 24th: Seth Banks ...

Seth was a partner with Bailey and Banks, PLLC, and an assistant district attorney.

About Your District Attorney

The District Attorney for the Thirty-Fifth Prosecutorial District is Seth Banks. Thank you for visiting the website of the District Attorneys’ Office in the 35th Prosecutorial District, which encompasses all of Avery, Madison, Mitchell, Watauga, and Yancey Counties in North Carolina.

Seth currently serves as district attorney for North Carolina's 35th Prosecutorial District. He was appointed district attorney for the 24th Prosecutorial District in June 2014 and was elected to a full term that November.

Seth currently serves as district attorney for North Carolina's 35th Prosecutorial District. He was appointed district attorney for the 24th Prosecutorial District in June 2014.

2026 North Carolina General Election

Serves as a partner at Bailey and Banks, PLLC, in Burnsville.

Serves as district attorney for North Carolina’s 35th Prosecutorial District.

As district attorney for North Carolina’s 35th Prosecutorial District, he is the chief prosecutor for Avery, Madison, Mitchell, Watauga, and Yancey Counties, filing criminal charges, directing investigations, prosecuting court cases, and supporting victims.

Worked as an assistant district attorney, prosecuting cases involving murder, assaults, drug trafficking, property crimes, and crimes against children.

- As district attorney for North Carolina’s 35th Prosecutorial District, he is the chief prosecutor for Avery, Madison, Mitchell, Watauga, and Yancey Counties, filing criminal charges, directing investigations, prosecuting court cases, and supporting victims.
- Worked as an assistant district attorney, prosecuting cases involving murder, assaults, drug trafficking, property crimes, and crimes against children.

Legal Experience

Efficient and Professional Administration: Seth will establish an administration that is dedicated to serving the people of Avery, Madison, Mitchell, Watauga, and Yancey Counties. He will work with law enforcement to minimize their time in court so that they can maximize their time spent keeping our communities safe. Seth will also make sure there is open communication between his staff, law enforcement, and members of the community.

Dedication to Reducing Drug Crimes: Illegal drugs are prevalent and threaten the safety and success of our communities and our children. Seth is committed to reducing the incidence and impact of illegal narcotics in the counties of the 24th Judicial District. He will prosecute those who deal drugs and work to take them out of our communities. Seth will work with community leaders to find innovative solutions to address addiction and decrease substance abuse.

Commitment to Deal with Crimes Swiftly: Too often justice delayed is justice denied. Seth will continually strive to move cases as efficiently as possible in the Superior and District Court Divisions in order to bring closure to victims, law enforcement, and witnesses.

A Focus on Violent and Habitual Felons: Communities are often terrorized by career criminals. Seth will utilize laws that allow prosecutors to increase the prison sentences of the worst of the worst. He will work hard to see that these career criminals are put and kept behind bars.

A Conservative Voice: As District Attorney Seth will be a conservative voice in the courtroom. He has a record as a tough prosecutor. He is committed to working hard to hold criminals accountable while protecting the Constitutional Rights of the people of Avery, Madison, Mitchell, Watauga, and Yancey Counties.

Plans to reduce law enforcement officers’ time in court so they can spend more time on community safety.

Plans to maintain open communication among district attorney staff, law enforcement, and community members.

Seeks to maintain open communication among district attorney staff, law enforcement, and community members.

Plans to prosecute drug dealers while working with community leaders to address addiction and reduce substance abuse.

Wants to prosecute drug dealers while working with community leaders to address addiction and reduce substance abuse.

Plans to move Superior and District Court cases efficiently to bring closure to victims, law enforcement, and witnesses.

Plans to seek increased prison sentences for habitual offenders and career criminals.

Pledges to hold offenders accountable while protecting constitutional rights.

- Plans to reduce law enforcement officers’ time in court so they can spend more time on community safety.
- Seeks to maintain open communication among district attorney staff, law enforcement, and community members.
- Wants to prosecute drug dealers while working with community leaders to address addiction and reduce substance abuse.
- Plans to move Superior and District Court cases efficiently to bring closure to victims, law enforcement, and witnesses.
- Plans to seek increased prison sentences for habitual offenders and career criminals.
- Pledges to hold offenders accountable while protecting constitutional rights.

Public Safety

“Our district attorneys welcome these new and enhanced tools to prosecute these financial crimes and in turn, maintain safe communities and a strong economy. As prosecutors, we must stand with our business communities and law enforcement to send a strong message to would-be thieves,” said District Attorney Seth Banks who serves as president of the NC Conference of District Attorneys.

Retailers, District Attorneys, Sheriffs and Police Applaud New Laws to Combat Organized Retail Crime and Money Laundering

Calls for prosecutors to work with businesses and law enforcement to use enhanced tools against financial crimes.

- Calls for prosecutors to work with businesses and law enforcement to use enhanced tools against financial crimes.

Consumer Protection

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Seth Banks

- Serves as district attorney for North Carolina’s 35th Prosecutorial District.
- Worked as an assistant district attorney, prosecuting cases involving murder, assaults, drug trafficking, property crimes, and crimes against children.

Seth Banks is from Yancey County, North Carolina. He has a bachelor 27s degree from North Carolina State University and a law degree from Wake Forest University School of Law. He is married to his wife, Gretchen, and they have a son together.

Seth is an attorney and a partner at Bailey and Banks, PLLC. He previously worked as an assistant district attorney in the Triad area for nearly six years. 

Seth previously served as the district attorney for North Carolina's 24th Prosecutorial District. He was appointed to this position in June 2014 and subsequently elected in November 2014. He ran for election for North Carolina's 35th Prosecutorial District Attorney in 2022 but did not win.

Seth Banks (North Carolina 35th Prosecutorial District Attorney ...

As a criminal defense and civil litigation attorney at Miller and Johnson, PLLC, focuses on legal representation in both criminal and civil matters.

As chair of the Watauga County Board of Commissioners, Banks has experience in local government leadership.

As an Assistant District Attorney, Banks began his legal career after graduating from Wake Forest University School of Law.

For Candidate Seth Banks on Issue public-safety:  
Pledges to ensure violent criminals are punished with significant sentences and not allowed dismissals for serious crimes.

For Candidate Seth Banks on Issue public-safety:  
Commits to efficient administration and open communication with law enforcement and the community, focusing on reducing drug crimes, swiftly addressing cases, and increasing penalties for violent and habitual felons.

As of January 5, 2026, Seth Banks’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Isaac Brickman

Buket Urgen

- The district attorney prosecutes all criminal cases filed in District and Superior Courts.
- They advise local law enforcement on which cases to pursue and how to collect proper evidence for those cases.
- The district attorney may institute court proceedings on behalf of the State, its agencies, or its citizens in any and all public interest matters. This means they play an important role in keeping the public safe.
The district attorney is elected for a four-year term in partisan elections. 

Prosecutes criminal cases and represents the state in local courts. 