DA Seth Banks

District Attorney
Seth Banks

Avery, Madison, Mitchell, Watauga & Yancey County

Prosecutorial District 35

(828) 268-6611
District Attorney's Office 842 W. King St.
Boone, NC 28607
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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. 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 us.

“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 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.

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. 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 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.