DA Ernie Lee

District Attorney
Ernie Lee

Duplin, Jones, Onslow & Sampson County

Prosecutorial District 5

(910) 478-3611
Onslow County Courthouse 602 Anne St
Jacksonville, NC 28540
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The District Attorney for the Fifth Prosecutorial District is Ernie Lee

Thank you for visiting the website of the District Attorney’s Office in Prosecutorial District 5, which encompasses all of Duplin, Jones, Onslow, and Sampson counties, North Carolina. It is the duty of this office to represent the State with integrity and professionalism while protecting victims and their rights, in the pursuit of justice.

The goal of this site is to make the information and services provided by the District Attorneys’ Office and the criminal justice system available to the public. Please take the time to search each webpage and explore all of the information we have provided you. Should you have any questions, we have also included details on how you may contact our office.

“District Attorney” commonly refers to an attorney for the community elected by the people in his/her district to represent the interests of the general public, including crime victims in court proceedings against people accused of committing crimes. Other jurisdictions use various terms: Prosecutor, U.S. Attorney (a federal prosecutor), Solicitor or State’s Attorney. The District Attorney is elected to a four-year term by the voters within the district he or she serves. District Attorneys are not allowed to engage in the private practice of law.

The primary duty of the District Attorney is to prosecute all criminal cases filed in the district. The District Attorney represents the state in all criminal and some juvenile matters. In addition, the District Attorney is responsible for preparing the criminal trial docket and advising law enforcement officers in the district.