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Beaufort County District Attorney Seth Edwards was elected to serve as a North Carolina Superior Court Judge District 2, Seat 2 on Tuesday. Though his sights are set on a new career path that will begin Jan. 1, Edwards took a moment to look back on his time as district attorney and explain how the next district attorney will be selected. 

Tell me about serving as District Attorney. How long did you serve and what made you want to become a District Attorney (DA)? 

Edwards: “I ran against the incumbent DA in 2002 and was sworn in January 1, 2003. I felt a calling to public service and believed I could make a difference as a prosecutor.”

Beaufort County is one of five counties in the second prosecutorial district that Edwards’ office currently serves. The other counties are Hyde, Martin, Tyrell and Washington. 

What advice do you have for the next District Attorney? 

Edwards: “Part prosecutor, part administrator, part politician. To be effective he or she needs to balance these interests. First and foremost, the DA represents the citizens of North Carolina and must always do what’s in the best interests of North Carolina.”

Tom Anglim is the Chief Assistant District Attorney and has worked with Edwards since 2003. It is Edwards’ hope that Governor-elect Josh Stein will appoint Anglim to serve the remainder of his term as district attorney which is two years.

If a highlight reel of your time as DA was created, which moments would it show? Which cases would it show that had an impact on your life or which career defining moments would be featured? 

Edwards: “I would hope that my staff and I, working together with law enforcement, made our communities safer. Walking alongside victims of horrific crimes certainly has had an impact. I tried a rape case in Dare County some years ago, and later ran into the victim walking on the campus of UNC-W. It warmed my heart that she was moving on with her life. On the flip side, we have offered second chances to offenders who made mistakes in judgment but have used the opportunity to better themselves and become productive citizens. If I had to name one case that stands out, it would probably be State v. Dock Watson who committed two rapes in broad daylight in Beaufort County in 2004 within a week or so of one another. We ultimately obtained two convictions and the defendant remains incarcerated.”

Would you do it again? 

Edwards: “In a heartbeat. My staff is top notch and there is none better in the state. We also have a great working relationship in our five counties with other court personnel. This is key to administering justice.” 

Looking at Jan 1, 2025, what do you hope to accomplish in your first year as a judge?

Edwards: “I’m sure it will take time to adjust to my new role. A good judge is like a good umpire in baseball-he or she calls balls and strikes, but allows the players, i.e. the lawyers (and juries) to determine the outcomes of the games. It will be different not being a player.”

Do judges get on the job training? What will your first days look like? 

Edwards: “My first few weeks of January will likely be spent observing other sessions of court, primarily civil. It’s been 22 years since I’ve been in civil court on a regular basis. The NC School of Government in Chapel Hill provides training for new superior court judges next January.”

What guiding values, beliefs, and/or principles will you use to make decisions as a judge?

Edwards: “I intend to follow the law and our Constitution and not make law from the bench. I pray that God will guide and direct me, and that His will be done through me.”

Will there be any conflict of interest if you hear cases where the attorney is from the DA’s office? 

Edwards: “I should not have any conflict with attorneys, but there will be conflicts with some cases. For the first six months of 2025, I will be primarily assigned out of my home district for this reason.” 

Are there any judges, past or present, who you are looking to for guidance? 

Edwards: “As many as I can find. Senior Resident Superior Court Judge Wayland Sermons, who has served since 2009, will be my go to judge I’m sure.” 

After your first term, what’s next? Will you go for re-election? 

Edwards: “One step at a time. This is an eight-year term so I have time to consider my options.”