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.
2025 Misdemeanor Training
The 2025 Misdemeanor Defender Training, co-sponsored by the UNC School of Government and the Office of Indigent Defense Services, is now open.
PROGRAM OVERVIEW, DATES, AND LOCATION: The Misdemeanor Defender Training will be held at the UNC School of Government on Wednesday, November 12 through Friday, November 14. Topics will include impaired driving, stops and searches, sentencing law, probation violations, evidence, ethics, and other issues that commonly arise in criminal district court. The program also includes small group workshops for participants to develop their negotiation and trial skills.
You can access the agenda here.
FEE: The registration fee for private assigned and managed assigned counsel is $575. There is no fee for IDS state employees.
SCHOLARSHIPS: A limited number of scholarships are available for private assigned and managed assigned counsel. If you are interested in applying, complete the scholarship application as soon as possible. If you receive a scholarship, the registration fee is waived. The scholarship deadline is 5:00 pm on Friday, October 24. Please refer to the scholarship website for additional information.
REGISTRATION: Register here for the Misdemeanor Defender Training. The registration deadline is 5:00 pm on Friday, October 31.
CLE CREDIT: This program will offer up to 19.75 hours of continuing legal education credit, including 1 hour of ethics credit (pending State Bar approval).
HOTEL INFORMATION: A block of rooms is available at the Tru by Hilton Chapel Hill (1742 Fordham Blvd, Chapel Hill, NC) for $129 plus taxes and fees. The hotel reservation deadline is Tuesday, October 21. To reserve a room, please refer to the hotel’s website here or call the hotel at (984) 291-7200 and ask for room block “90G” or “Misdemeanor Defender Training.”
TRAVEL INFORMATION: Contact Shannon Simmons, IDS Accounts Payable Supervisor, at [email protected] or (919) 890-1660. Please note that travel reimbursement forms must be submitted to IDS Financial Services by the end of the month following the travel, or reimbursement will be denied.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: If you have any questions or need further information, contact Program Manager Kayla Fowler at [email protected].
