Jason Waller Sworn In As Johnston County District Attorney

Veteran Prosecutor Appointed by Governor Josh Stein to Lead Prosecutorial District 13

SMITHFIELD — Before court convened Tuesday morning at the Johnston County Courthouse, Jason Thomas Waller was officially sworn in as the District Attorney for Johnston County. Governor Josh Stein appointed Waller to the position following the retirement of longtime District Attorney Susan Doyle, who served the community with distinction for over three decades. The Honorable Senior Resident Superior Court Judge Thomas H. Lock administered the oath of office to Waller and his staff.

A seasoned trial attorney and respected courtroom leader, District Attorney Waller brings nearly 19 years of prosecutorial experience to the role. His career began in 2006 as an Assistant District Attorney in Wake County under the leadership of then-District Attorney Colon Willoughby. There, he handled a wide range of serious felony cases from vehicular homicides and armed robberies to first-degree and capital murder trials. District Attorney Waller has earned a reputation as a tough but fair advocate for justice.

In 2018, Waller joined the Johnston County District Attorney’s Office and shortly thereafter District Attorney Susan Doyle promoted him to Senior Assistant District Attorney. During his time serving Johnston County, Waller has led numerous high-profile prosecutions, managed complex criminal matters, and helped streamline operations within the court system. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Waller spearheaded efforts to adjudicate as many cases as possible to prevent backlogs. He has worked with judicial partners to launch quarterly status conferences for aging homicide and custody cases, which has expedited the disposition of serious matters.

“I am grateful to Governor Stein for appointing me as the next District Attorney of Johnston County,” said Waller. “It is an honor to serve the citizens of this community. Throughout my career, I have focused on prosecuting the most serious crimes to help keep the public safe, and I am committed to continuing that work as District Attorney.”

Waller added, “I want to thank District Attorney Susan Doyle for her mentorship and confidence in me. She has been a powerful example of principled leadership, and I look forward to continuing the office’s strong tradition of service, victim advocacy, and collaboration with law enforcement and the judiciary. I am inheriting a very talented and dedicated staff, and I am proud to continue working alongside them. I look forward to leading and mentoring this exceptional team in the years to come.”

“I would also like to express my deep appreciation to our local law enforcement agencies and members of the bar for their continued support and partnership,” he said. “Their collaboration is essential to the fair and effective pursuit of justice.”

A native of Beulaville in Duplin County, Waller lives in Clayton with his family. He earned both his undergraduate and law degrees from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, graduating in 2003 and 2006. In 2016, he was named North Carolina MADD Prosecutor of the Year for his commitment to justice and public safety.