Monthly Attorney Orientation
For Lawyers who are New to Indigent Defense
Beginning August 1, IDS staff will provide orientation for new attorneys on the first Friday of each month from 1-2 p.m.
Topics will include a guided tour of the IDS website, information on training and CLE opportunities, access to wellness resources and more. You will also be able to connect with other defense attorneys for future collaboration!
2026 IDS Forensic Science Education Series
IDS and the Mecklenburg Public Defender’s Office provide regular continuing education to dozens of NC criminal defense and parent attorneys, investigators, and mitigation specialists who attend the IDS Forensic Science Education Series.
In 2026, we will offer monthly 90-minute webinars on various aspects of forensic evidence. These webinars will take place typically at 12:30 pm on the first Thursday of each month. Click here to view the 2026 Schedule.
The first six sessions of 2026 will focus on understanding and advocating for neurodivergent clients.
- This event has passed.
Introduction to Wymore Jury Selection – Wilmington
Introduction to Wymore Jury Selection
Wilmington, North Carolina February 28, 2025
Presenter: Terry Alford
Terry Alford heads up the Trial Resource Unit at the Office of the Capital Defender of North Carolina. He has practiced criminal defense law for over 40 years, participated as lead counsel in numerous capital murder trials, is a recipient of the prestigious J. Kirk Osborn award, and joined the Office of the Capital Defender in 2017.
9:00 – 9:15 Register
9:15 – 10:00 Introduction to Wymore Jury selection
10:00 – 10:15 Break
10:15 – 10:45 Case study
10:45 – 11:15 Good facts/bad facts
11:15 – 12:00 Demonstration on a life juror and a killer.
12:00 – 1:30 Lunch (on your own)
1:30 – 2:30 Jury selection by participants
2:30 – 2:45 Break
2:45 – 4:15 Jury selection by participants
What will be covered during each session:
The first session introduces the participants to the Wymore method of selecting jurors in a capital case where the government is seeking the death penalty for your client.
The second session is a case study. A fictional set of facts describes a murder and describes the life of the person charged with the crime.
The third session reviews the case study facts and selects the good facts you want to tell the jury and selects the bad facts you want the jury to know about.
The fourth session is a demonstration of questioning a potential juror who you want to keep on your jury.
The fifth session is a demonstration of questioning a potential juror who you do not want to keep on your jury.
The last two sessions allow the participants to practice jury selection using the Wymore method, with critique.
5 hours CLE credit is pending approval. If you want CLE credit the State Bar will bill you for the CLE.
NOTE: This is a free seminar. It is limited to attorneys who handle capital murder cases.
NOTE: No reimbursement is allowed for mileage or lodging. This seminar is designed for local NC attorneys who can drive to Wilmington, NC and return on the same day.
Similar seminars have been and will be held in other areas in North Carolina. If you are not close to Wilmington, feel free to attend but you will not be reimbursed for travel and lodging. That allows us to offer the seminar free.
