On April 2, 2024, Seth J. Johnson was sworn in by the Honorable Joseph N. Crosswhite, Senior Resident Superior Court Judge for Judicial District 32.
Seth took the oath of office at the Iredell County Courthouse in Statesville, with his wife and two children by his side. He is the inaugural Chief Public Defender for the newly created Defender District 32, which was established in January 2024 by the 2023 Appropriations Act in to serve Alexander and Iredell counties. Seth has spent the last several months winding down the workload in private practice and recruiting staff to work in the two new public defender offices.
Seth is a native of Troutman, which is near Statesville, North Carolina. He earned a B.S. degree in political science from Appalachian State University and a J.D. degree from North Carolina Central University School of Law. He spent the last 16 years working as Managing Partner for the Crosswhite Crosswhite & Johnson Law Firm in Statesville, where he practiced almost exclusively in criminal defense. He most recently served on the roster for the State Office of the Capital Defender.
Seth was nominated to serve as the inaugural Chief Public Defender for District 32 by a popular vote of the local bar there. He said, “It is always good to be acknowledged by your peers.”
Seth said his most noteworthy accomplishment—which he will carry forward with him into the new public defender offices—is that he strives to establish and maintain a positive and family-oriented work environment. “That means a great deal to me,” he said.
There will be two office locations serving Defender District 32. And while they are not yet open for business, he is in the process of staffing up so that when the doors do open, he and his team can hit the ground running.
In his spare time, Seth enjoys spending time in Statesville with his family and doing anything outdoors.