AHOSKIE – A veteran prosecutor wants to see her career continue.

Valerie Asbell has filed for District Attorney for the newly created 6th Prosecutorial District which includes Bertie, Halifax, Hertford and Northampton counties.

“It is and has been an honor and privilege to serve the people of Bertie, Hertford and Northampton counties as their elected District Attorney for the past 13 years. With over 20 years of experience in the courtroom as a prosecutor, I am the only candidate with the experience, background, and proven results in a multi-county district to continue to serve all four counties,” said Asbell, the current District 6B Attorney.

The two local Districts – 6B (Bertie, Hertford and Northampton) and 6A (Halifax County) – will merge into a single judicial entity effective Jan. 1, 2015.

Asbell has tried all types of cases in District and Superior Court, including first degree murder (both Capital and Non-Capital). Asbell has sought and has given substantial active sentences for murderers, habitual felons, drug dealers, child molesters, sex offenders and other felony offenders and has tried over 200 cases in Superior Court.

“The District Attorney is the Chief Law Enforcement Officer of her assigned District and must have a good working relationship with the local law enforcement departments, state and federal authorities; that’s a responsibility that I do not take lightly” said Asbell.  “No two counties are the same and no two cities are the same, but the values of right and wrong are the same no matter where you go. You have to be a part of the community to serve a community.

“I have worked continuously to strike a good balance by enforcing the laws and holding criminals accountable while also trying to work with first-time non-violent offenders to help them get on a straight-and-narrow path so they can be productive citizens of society,” she added.

Asbell has taken a proactive approach to preventing crime and preventing young people from coming into the court system. She is active in the school systems as a speaker for many topics, including drug and gang awareness and cyber bullying.

She has also served the public in many capacities locally and statewide: Board Member of the Roanoke Chowan Domestic Violence Task Force, Member of the North Carolina Domestic Violence Commission (2006-2011), Adjunct Professor for the National Advocacy Center, Instructor for the North Carolina Conference of District Attorneys, and the North Carolina Institute of Government.

Asbell graduated in 1989 from Emory University with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Religion and Psychology and graduated from Tulane Law School in 1992.  She is married to Jimmy Asbell who is the Major with the Ahoskie Police Department and she is the proud mother of two children, Cole and Ethan.

“I promise to continue to be honest, open, and accessible to all of the citizens of these four counties. I will listen and work to make sure the needs of our communities are being met and our citizens and property are protected.  It is an incredible privilege to be the elected District Attorney in 6B and I am looking forward to taking that same passion to Halifax County. I am asking for your support and your prayers during this campaign season,” Asbell concluded.

For more information about the candidate, visit www.asbell4da.com.