An Alabama native, Jason earned his law degree from the Cumberland School of Law at Samford University in 1999 and a bachelor’s degree in business and economics from Virginia Military Institute. He has volunteered for several local organizations as a Board member, Deacon, and coach, and is passionate about protecting our youth from violence, regularly speaking to students about internet safety, physical safety, and making sound decisions.

New Hanover & Pender County District Attorney

An Alabama native, Jason earned his law degree from the Cumberland School of Law at Samford University in 1999 and a bachelor’s degree in business and economics from Virginia Military Institute. He has volunteered for several local organizations as a Board member, Deacon, and coach, and is passionate about protecting our youth from violence, regularly speaking to students about internet safety, physical safety, and making sound decisions. Jason and his wife Tamara, also an attorney, live in Pender County and have four children.

Jason W. Smith is originally from Alabama. He earned a bachelor's degree in business and economics from Virginia Military Institute and a law degree from the Cumberland School of Law at Samford University. He and his wife, Tamara, have four children.

New Hanover & Pender County District Attorney Jason W. Smith

Jason W. Smith was elected District Attorney of the Sixth District in November 2024. He first joined the DA’s Office as an Assistant District Attorney in 2010 after nine years in private practice, and has handled all manner of criminal cases, from traffic tickets to homicides. In 2014, Jason was tapped to lead the Pender County office, which he did for nearly 10 years before returning to New Hanover County.

In addition to his public service in North Carolina, Jason served our country for nine years in the United States Army Reserve, including a 2003 deployment to Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. Jason was an Executive Officer and platoon leader for the 413th Chemical Company for 15 months, until his honorable discharge from the Army as a Captain in 2005.

Jason previously worked in private practice, then as an assistant district attorney, and later led the Pender County office. He also served for nine years in the U.S. Army Reserve.

Jason W. Smith, District Attorney
Jason W. Smith was elected District Attorney of the Sixth District in November 2024. He first joined the DA’s Office as an Assistant District Attorney in 2010 after nine years in private practice, and has handled all manner of criminal cases, from traffic tickets to homicides. In 2014, Jason was tapped to lead the Pender County office, which he did for nearly 10 years before returning to New Hanover County.

Jason was elected district attorney of North Carolina's 6th District in November 2024.

2026 North Carolina General Election

Prosecutorial District 6 - North Carolina Conference of District ...

As District Attorney for Prosecutorial District 6, he is the chief prosecutor for New Hanover and Pender Counties, filing criminal charges, directing investigations, prosecuting court cases, and supporting victims.

Practiced law in private practice for nine years before joining the district attorney's office in 2010.

Served as an assistant district attorney beginning in 2010, handling criminal cases from traffic tickets to homicides.

- As District Attorney for Prosecutorial District 6, he is the chief prosecutor for New Hanover and Pender Counties, filing criminal charges, directing investigations, prosecuting court cases, and supporting victims.
- Practiced law in private practice for nine years before joining the district attorney's office in 2010.
- Served as an assistant district attorney beginning in 2010, handling criminal cases from traffic tickets to homicides.

Legal Experience

Criminal Record Expunction

Please visit the North Carolina Justice Center's website for expunction information for the most recent calendar year. The DA's Office does not process requests for expungement, but we are entirely supportive of individuals moving past their criminal activity to become more productive members of our community.

Court Programs

Underage Drinking Ticket & Fake IDs Deferred Prosecution

Our office, in partnership with NC ABC, introduced the Underage Drinking Ticket Deferred Prosecution program in 2014, one of four pilot programs in the state. The program allows for deferred prosecution of first-time offenders under 21 who are charged with drinking offenses who instead take part in education programs that include community service, time spent observing incoming traumas at the New Hanover Regional Medical Center emergency department, DWI Treatment Court, completion of the StreetSafe Alcohol & Drug Education Program, and 12 months’ probation. Upon completion of these requirements, the charges would be dismissed.

Jason describes his role as District Attorney in three words: advise, prosecute, and prevent. He advises the 50+ employees of his office, as well as the 1,000+ sworn law enforcement officers in our region. He fights to prosecute the most violent offenders, especially those that prey upon the most vulnerable victims. He believes strongly that preventing crime begins with community engagement and meets regularly with local non-profits, schools, and faith organizations to learn more about how the DA’s Office can better serve their constituents.

At the DA's Office, we are in a unique position to see what is happening across the roughly 1,200 square miles of our District, from the tip of Fort Fisher to the very top border of Pender County. We see crime trends, we see what is happening in the schools and on the streets, and we see the dozens of organizations that are doing great work in our community to effect positive change. While we have a constitutional duty to prosecute criminals, we also have a non-mandated - but equally important - duty to help prevent crimes before they occur and to improve public safety in our community. We do this through building relationships with the schools, non-profits, government agencies, businesses, and faith-based services in our District - an approach former DA Ben David calls "The Starfish Model."

Crime Prevention

Prioritizes prosecuting violent crimes and career criminals through jury trials or plea agreements.

Our priority has been, and will continue to be, the prosecution of violent crimes and career criminals, whether that happens through a jury trial or a plea agreement. Around the state, 98% of all cases result in a plea--a non-jury disposition in front of a judge--saving valuable resources and court time.

Supports people moving past criminal activity and becoming productive community members after expungement.

Supports deferred prosecution for first-time defendants charged with underage drinking who complete education, community service, and probation requirements.

Wants deferred prosecution for first-time defendants charged with underage drinking who complete education, community service, and probation requirements.

Believes crime prevention begins with community engagement and building relationships with schools, nonprofits, agencies, businesses, and faith-based services.

- Supports people moving past criminal activity and becoming productive community members after expungement.
- Wants deferred prosecution for first-time defendants charged with underage drinking who complete education, community service, and probation requirements.
- Believes crime prevention begins with community engagement and building relationships with schools, nonprofits, agencies, businesses, and faith-based services.

Public Safety

The District Attorney's Office belongs to the people of New Hanover and Pender County, and we understand that our most important work often happens outside the courtroom. Every year, we speak to thousands of students at all levels in our public schools to have a dialogue about choices and consequences, both on the internet and in real life. We hold seminars for our senior citizens on identity theft, fraud, and other issues confronting them. We proactively work with area agencies and advocacy groups to confront issues ranging from drug addiction to domestic violence and sexual assaults to property offenses.

Provides seminars for senior citizens on identity theft, fraud, and related issues.

- Provides seminars for senior citizens on identity theft, fraud, and related issues.

Consumer Protection

Facebook

Jason W. Smith

Led the Pender County district attorney's office for nearly 10 years after he was selected in 2014.

- Practiced law in private practice for nine years before joining the district attorney's office in 2010.
- Served as an assistant district attorney beginning in 2010, handling criminal cases from traffic tickets to homicides.
- Led the Pender County district attorney's office for nearly 10 years after he was selected in 2014.

- Believes crime prevention begins with community engagement and building relationships with schools, nonprofits, agencies, businesses, and faith-based services.

Jason is an attorney. He also served in the U.S. Army.

NHC and Pender counties district attorney race has Republican ...

Jason is currently the district attorney for New Hanover and Pender counties. He was elected in 2024. Before his election, he worked in the district attorney's office for 14 years, serving as an assistant district attorney for a decade.

Said, "The Republican candidate has worked in the DA’s office for 14 years, serving as assistant district attorney for a decade."

As an Assistant District Attorney since 2010, Jason W. Smith has handled a wide range of criminal cases, including traffic violations and homicides, and led the Pender County office for nearly 10 years before returning to New Hanover County.

Believes that preventing crime begins with community engagement and regularly meets with local organizations to enhance the District Attorney's Office's service to constituents.

As of January 5, 2026, Jason W. Smith’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. 