Jeffrey Alan Marsigli

Jeffrey A. Marsigli is the elected District Attorney for North Carolina’s 8th Prosecutorial District, which covers Edgecombe, Nash, and Wilson counties. He is a Republican who won the office in the November 8, 2022 general election, defeating incumbent Democrat Robert Evans after a recount confirmed his 79‑vote margin of victory (38,382 to 38,303)【10†L19-L27】. As District Attorney, Marsigli oversees a staff of 22 assistant district attorneys, manages three Superior Court judges and seven District Court judges, and aims to prosecute roughly 50 felony cases each year, a target he reported as nearly met in 2023【12†L7-L15】.

Marsigli earned a bachelor’s degree in political science with a criminal‑justice option from North Carolina State University in 1997 and a Juris Doctor from Campbell University in 2002【10†L31-L33】. He began his legal career in private practice in Rocky Mount before joining the prosecutor’s office as an assistant district attorney under Evans, serving from January 2019 until July 2021【10†L34-L36】. After his election, he emphasized a hands‑on approach to prosecution, stating that “crime is out of control” and that a District Attorney must personally participate in court processes to remove dangerous criminals from the streets【1†L1-L5】.

During his tenure, Marsigli has focused on violent crime and drug‑related offenses, particularly fentanyl. He reported the district’s first conviction for death‑by‑distribution in Wilson County and highlighted collaboration with the three county sheriffs to target fentanyl trafficking【12†L1-L4】. He also noted legislative changes allowing 15‑year‑olds who commit violent crimes to be tried as adults, reflecting his office’s commitment to addressing serious juvenile offenses【12†L17-L20】.

Marsigli’s platform, as outlined in his 2022 Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey, calls for stronger partnerships with law‑enforcement agencies, prioritizing prosecution of the most dangerous offenders, increasing visible patrols in high‑crime areas, and improving community lighting to deter crime【1†L6-L14】. He stresses the need for efficient case management, citing an average case age of seven‑and‑a‑half months and the importance of settlements and adjudications to handle the heavy caseload【12†L13-L16】.

The District Attorney’s role in North Carolina requires overseeing criminal prosecutions within the district, managing assistant prosecutors, coordinating with law‑enforcement officials, and ensuring that justice is administered fairly and efficiently. Marsigli’s statements and actions illustrate his interpretation of these duties, emphasizing personal involvement in court, community engagement, and a data‑driven focus on the most serious crimes.

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