Ernie Lee was a young assistant district attorney in the late 1980s when he first heard about the concept of starting a Child Advocacy Center in Onslow County. His boss at the time, District Attorney William H. Andrews, suggested that Lee join a local group of social workers, medical professionals, and law-enforcement officials who were developing the idea of consolidating victim interviews, medical examinations and other treatment, and advocacy services in a single family-friendly program operating under one roof.

Andrews had hired Lee just a couple of years earlier, and the recent Campbell University law school graduate embraced his new opportunity.

District Attorney has embraced CAC from the start | One Place

Ernie Lee graduated from Campbell University law school.

And after serving 22 years in the Army Reserve, Lee has experience in the military judicial system.

Ernie Lee previously worked as an assistant district attorney. He served 22 years in the Army Reserve.

Ernie Lee, district attorney for the 5th prosecutorial district, which includes Duplin, Jones, Onslow and Sampson counties, also announced Monday that he is seeking reelection, filing at the N.C. State Board of Elections on Tuesday. Lee has served as district attorney in Onslow County since 2011. “This district deserves an experienced prosecutor, one who has tried the challenging and toughest cases, one who has made the difficult decisions, and one who has tried serious jury trials in all four counties,” Lee said.

Candidate filing opens for 2026 election

Ernie has served as district attorney for North Carolina's 5th Prosecutorial District since 2011.

Candidate filing opens for 2026 election | Local News | jdnews.com

2026 North Carolina General Election

As district attorney since 2011, Ernie Lee prosecutes civil and criminal actions under state law and presents cases before grand juries.

- As district attorney since 2011, Ernie Lee prosecutes civil and criminal actions under state law and presents cases before grand juries.

Legal Experience

Kathleen Holbrook, the CAC’s long-time director, noted that Lee was convinced the specially trained CAC staff who interviewed the young victims would be more in touch with the children’s emotional well-being and more effective in the courtroom as witnesses. He was willing to throw the considerable heft of his office behind making the concept work. There would be no shortcuts.

Lee has required law-enforcement agencies in the county to use the CAC’s interview and evaluation protocols before the District Attorney’s Office will bring a case to court, Holbrook said.

“The shooting death of Jammie Mitchell was found by me to be justified,” said District Attorney Ernie Lee. “To protect the safety and lives of the law enforcement officers from potential harm as perceived by a law enforcement officer at the scene.”

Onslow County District Attorney rules officer-involved shooting as justified

Lee created a Special Victims Unit within his office and designated an assistant district attorney to prosecute child-abuse cases. Holbrook said Lee has supported his staff attending case reviews and participating in training opportunities, working with CAC staff on such issues as accreditation.

District Attorney Ernie Lee credited the Highway Patrol investigation, calling the case tragic. He said his office would continue to prosecute impaired driving incidents to the full extent possible. The state was represented by Assistant District Attorney Robert N. Thigpen.

“Consola Polo’s death is tragic and should have been avoided,” Lee said in a prepared statement. “Had the defendant simply not driven while impaired this likely would not have occurred. Because of the defendant’s actions of getting behind the wheel after drinking, a family is needlessly without a husband, father, and a son.

For those cases we are able to prove beyond a reasonable doubt, this office will continue to prosecute those who drive while impaired on the highways of this district since they are a danger to others, themselves and the public.”

Impaired driving cases, one fatal, bring prison time | Sampson Independent (ClintonNC.com)

Lee said he believes the money invested now will pay dividends for years and generations to come. “Dealing with children like this for 34 years—those who have suffered sexual, mental, physical, emotional abuse—it hurts not only their bodies but also their mental well-being. I am very much for not only treating the children for the physical abuse they may have suffered, but also the mental abuse they may have suffered.”

“I am very appreciative to receive the Dogwood Award from Governor-elect Josh Stein but I’m even more appreciative of his strong and unwavering stand as Attorney General in addressing the opioid epidemic facing our state,” said District Attorney Ernie Lee. “Governor-elect Stein has always been a strong voice with prosecutors in dealing with opioid abuse and addiction. As a career prosecutor, I appreciate this award.”

Attorney General Josh Stein Honors Eastern North Carolinians with Dogwood Awards

Required law enforcement agencies to use Child Advocacy Center interview and evaluation protocols before bringing cases to court.

Found the shooting death of Jammie Mitchell justified, citing potential harm to law-enforcement officers as perceived at the scene.

Created a Special Victims Unit and designated an assistant district attorney to prosecute child-abuse cases.

Pledges to continue prosecuting impaired-driving cases that the office can prove beyond a reasonable doubt.

Pledges to prosecute impaired-driving cases that the office can prove beyond a reasonable doubt.

Supports treatment for children who have experienced both physical and mental abuse.

Supports efforts to address opioid abuse and addiction.

- Required law enforcement agencies to use Child Advocacy Center interview and evaluation protocols before bringing cases to court.
- Found the shooting death of Jammie Mitchell justified, citing potential harm to law-enforcement officers as perceived at the scene.
- Created a Special Victims Unit and designated an assistant district attorney to prosecute child-abuse cases.
- Pledges to prosecute impaired-driving cases that the office can prove beyond a reasonable doubt.
- Supports treatment for children who have experienced both physical and mental abuse.
- Supports efforts to address opioid abuse and addiction.

Public Safety

As of January 5, 2026, Ernie Lee did not have a website or any information online.

Consumer Protection

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Ernie Lee

- Pledges to continue prosecuting impaired-driving cases that the office can prove beyond a reasonable doubt.
- Supports treatment for children who have experienced both physical and mental abuse.
- Supports efforts to address opioid abuse and addiction.

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

Ernie is the district attorney for Duplin, Jones, Onslow, and Sampson counties. He works at the North Carolina Department of Justice’s Prosecutorial District 5 office, where he has served as district attorney in Onslow County since 2011. He prosecutes serious criminal cases, having tried over 150 first-degree murder cases and eight capital murder trials, and he worked with the department’s Medicaid Investigations Division to secure health care fraud convictions.

Attorney General Josh Stein Announces Two Health Care Fraud ...

Supports strict enforcement against impaired driving and collaboration with partner agencies to uphold laws and justice.

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. 