Commissioner Welch was born and raised in the mountains of North Carolina. She received her undergraduate degree from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and received her law degree from William and Mary School of Law in 2003.

Ashley Welch | North Carolina Innocence Inquiry Commission

Ashley Hornsby Welch was born and raised in the mountains of North Carolina. She received an undergraduate degree from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and a law degree from William and Mary School of Law in 2003.

Ashley Welch - The North Carolina Innocence Inquiry Commission

Ms. Welch served as an Assistant District Attorney in the 29th Prosecutorial District from 2003-2005. In 2005, Ms. Welch began working with District 43, where she is now the District Attorney.

Ashley previously served as an assistant district attorney in the 29th Prosecutorial District.

About Your District Attorney

The District Attorney for the Forty-Third Prosecutorial District is Ashley Hornsby Welch. Thank you for visiting the web site of the District Attorney’s Office in Prosecutorial District 43. The 43rd District includes seven counties, Cherokee, Clay, Graham, Haywood, Jackson, Macon and Swain Counties in North Carolina.

Prosecutorial District 43 | North Carolina Conference of District Attorneys

Ashley currently serves as district attorney for North Carolina’s 43rd Prosecutorial District.

Prosecutorial District 43 - North Carolina Conference of District ...

2026 North Carolina General Election

District Attorney Ashley Hornsby Welch has been named prosecuting attorney commissioner for the N.C. Innocence Inquiry Commission. The state agency is dedicated to investigating wrongful conviction.

District Attorney Welch appointed to Innocence Commission

Welch previously served as a commission alternate. As of Friday (Jan. 1), she becomes one of eight voting members. Outgoing Chief Judge Linda McGee of the N.C. Court of Appeals selected Welch as the prosecuting attorney commissioner.

Serves as district attorney in District 43.

As district attorney in District 43, she is the chief legal officer and public prosecutor for her district, filing criminal charges, directing investigations, prosecuting court cases, and supporting crime victims.

Was named prosecuting attorney commissioner on the North Carolina Innocence Inquiry Commission and became one of its eight voting members after serving as an alternate.

- As district attorney in District 43, she is the chief legal officer and public prosecutor for her district, filing criminal charges, directing investigations, prosecuting court cases, and supporting crime victims.
- Was named prosecuting attorney commissioner on the North Carolina Innocence Inquiry Commission and became one of its eight voting members after serving as an alternate.

Legal Experience

Outgoing Chief Judge Linda McGee of the N.C. Court of Appeals selected Welch as the prosecuting attorney commissioner. “I’m honored to be a member of this critical agency, acting as a neutral arbiter on questions of actual innocence,” Welch said. “We must be willing and eager to correct the injustice if someone is wrongly convicted.”

Calls for immediate investigations into alleged bribery attempts to deter such attempts.

Rather than track the man down to give him the money back, Hornsby Welch said Palmer should have told her office. “It seems like that immediately ought to be investigated,” Hornsby Welch said. “You want people to know they can’t do this.”

Sheriff tells radio hosts about turning down bribes, but never told DA

Supports correcting wrongful convictions.

- Supports correcting wrongful convictions.

Public Safety

As of January 5, 2026, Ashley Hornsby Welch did not have a website or any information online.

Consumer Protection

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Ashley Hornsby Welch

Served as an assistant district attorney in the 29th Prosecutorial District from 2003 to 2005.

- Served as an assistant district attorney in the 29th Prosecutorial District from 2003 to 2005.
- Serves as district attorney in District 43.

As of January 5, 2026, Ashley Hornsby Welch’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Ashley Hornsby Welch is from the mountains of North Carolina. She has a bachelor 27s degree from the University of North Carolina and a law degree from the College of William and Mary.

Ashley is the district attorney for North Carolina's 43rd Prosecutorial District. 

Attorney General Josh Stein Honors District Attorney Welch with ...

District Attorney Welch Appointed to Innocence Commission – 105.7 ...

District Attorney Welch appointed to the N.C. Innocence Commission ...

Ashley is currently the district attorney for North Carolina's 43rd Prosecutorial District. She began working in this role in 2005. Ashley previously served as an assistant district attorney in North Carolina's 29th Prosecutorial District from 2003 to 2005.

Ashley Hornsby Welch (North Carolina 43rd Prosecutorial District ...

Respects tribal sovereignty but plans to enforce North Carolina state law prohibiting marijuana cultivation, distribution, and possession.

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. 