Tommy Routten was recently reappointed to serve as the Chief Public Defender for District 1 (Camden, Chowan, Currituck, Dare, Gates, Pasquotank,
IDS Budget Manager Earns State Certification
IDS is proud to announce that Budget Manager Sonia Colon has achieved the designation of North Carolina Certified State Government Budget
IDS Honors the Life of Rhoda Billings
IDS would like to honor the life of the late Rhoda Billings. Justice Billings is widely known in the legal community as a former Chief Justice of
New Cumberland County Chief Sworn In
On January 1, 2026, Adam Phillips was sworn in as the new Chief Public Defender for District 14 during a private ceremony at his home with family.
Cumberland County Chief Public Defender Cindy Black Retires
After 24 years of service to Cumberland County, including five years as Chief Public Defender, Cindy Black will retire on December 31. During her
Highlights of the Nov. 21 IDS Commission Meeting
The November 21 IDS Commission meeting was a special day to honor outstanding service and welcome a new IDS Commissioner. State Capital Defender
Important Update: How to get paid in expunged cases
You may recall... Per Session law (S.L. 2022-47 and S.L. 2023-103) amending G.S. 15A-146(a4), for misdemeanor and felony criminal cases that are
Defender District 10 hosts International Law Fellows
For the last several years, the Wake County Public Defender’s Office has hosted international law fellows from the American Council of Young Political
IDS Commission to Meet November 21
The next quarterly IDS Commission meeting is scheduled for Friday, November 21, 2025, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. in person. Location: The
IDS celebrates colleagues for Veterans Day
For Veterans Day this year, we are celebrating our colleagues who have served, or who are serving in the United States military. Please take a few
IDS Commission Approves New Rules, Billing Policies Effective January 1, 2026
Important Changes to IDS Rules and Billing Policies On August 22, 2025, the IDS Commission approved some substantial changes to the billing and
Reminders about Civil Contempt Appeals
While 90% of civil contempt appeals happen in child support cases, the staff in the Office of the Parent Defender (OPD) handle ALL civil contempt
IDS Commission Reappoints Appellate Defender
Congratulations are in order for Glenn Gerding. At the August 22, 2025, quarterly meeting of the IDS Commission, he was reappointed to the position of
IDS Commission to Meet August 22
The next quarterly IDS Commission meeting is scheduled for Friday, August 22, 2025, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. in person. Location: The North
District 6 gets new Chief Public Defender
The Office of Indigent Defense Services officially welcomes Thomas Lightburn “Bud” Woodrum II, the new chief public defender for District 6 that
Third Annual Juneteenth event held at the NC Central University’s Student Center
NCCU and the NCAPD sponsored their 3rd Annual Juneteenth event and CLE. This year’s program opened with dance, song and the theatrical spoken word.
Lenoir-Peek Named New Parent Defender for the State of North Carolina
IDS announces the appointment of Annick Lenoir-Peek by the IDS Commission as the new Parent Defender for the state of North Carolina. A nationally
Inaugural Leader for the state Office of the Parent Defender (OPD) is set to retire
Wendy Sotolongo leaves behind a blueprint for continued progress toward a shared vision for the social work program she created to: continue improving
Recap from the 2025 Spring Public Defender Conference Opening Ceremony
ICYMI:
IDS welcomes new data analyst
The Office of Indigent Defense Services is pleased to introduce Joshua Hummel as the new IDS Data Analyst. His first day was May 19,
IDS Commission votes on next Parent Defender
At the close of the May 2, 2025, meeting of the Commission on IDS, Chair Bryan Jones announced that the commission had voted to appoint Annick
IDS Commission acknowledges Pitt County Chief Public Defender
At its May 2 quarterly meeting, the IDS Commission recognized Pitt County Chief Public Defender Robert C. "Bert" Kemp III for being named the most
Criminal defense group visits State Crime Lab
About 20 assistant public defenders, private defense counsel, investigators and legal assistants from Rutherford, Lincoln, Cleveland, Haywood and
IDS Commission to meet May 2
The next quarterly IDS Commission meeting is scheduled for Friday, May 2, 2025, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. in person. The open session/public portion