Indigent Defense Services

The NC Public Defense System

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Message from the Chair:

The Honorable Dorothy Hairston Mitchell

On behalf of the North Carolina Indigent Defense Services Commission, I would like to thank all of you who serve on the front line providing legal representation to North Carolina clients. We appreciate your devotion to the calling and the quality and zealous advocacy you provide those who cannot otherwise afford legal representation. The Commission and IDS staff are dedicated to ensuring that the defense community is provided with the proper training, education, and support needed to combat systemic issues that serve as barriers to your clients. Everyone deserves equal access to justice and to be represented by dedicated professionals who understand the challenges they face. Our commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion is a driving force in our role to support the public defense community in its work to achieve fair and just outcomes for clients. 

Thank you to all who have devoted your careers to public defense by serving as either a public defender, private assigned counsel, or support person on defense teams. I know this devotion does not come lightly and we are forever grateful for your service. 

2025 Meeting Dates

  • February 7, 2025
  • May 2, 2025
  • August 22, 2025
  • November 21, 2025

IDS Commission Members

The Honorable Dorothy Hairston Mitchell, Chair

District 14 District Court Judge
510 S Dillard St.
Durham, NC 27701
(919) 808-3000
[email protected]
Appointed by the IDS Commission

Mr. Art F. Beeler, Vice Chair

Clinical Assistant Professor, Criminal Justice, North Carolina Central University
3684 Ben Mil Court
Franklinton, NC 27525
(919) 986-9155
[email protected]
Appointed by the Governor

Ms. Tonya Davis Barber

Barber Webster Law, PLLC
316 E Walnut St.
Goldsboro, NC 27530
(919) 583-5560
[email protected]
NC Association of Women Attorneys

Mr. Robert Kelly Corbett III

Attorney at Law
The Refinery Building
1213 West Morehead St, Suite 501 D
Charlotte, NC 28208
(704) 401-5299
[email protected]
Appointed by the NC Association of Black Lawyers

The Honorable Joseph N. Crosswhite

District 22A Senior Resident Judge
221 E. Water Street
Statesville, NC 28677
(704) 832-6616
[email protected]
Appointed by the NC Supreme Court Chief Justice

Ms. Caitlin Fenhagen

Director, Criminal Justice Resource Department, Hillsborough
106 E Margaret Lane
Hillsborough, NC 27278
(919) 245-2303
[email protected]
Appointed by the IDS Commission

Ms. Karen Franco

39129 Hwy 561
Hollister, NC 27844
[email protected]
Appointed by the IDS Commission

Mr. John F. Nieman

Retired Chief Public Defender
(336) 708-5266
[email protected]
Appointed by the NC Association of Public Defenders

Mr. Bryan Jones

Attorney at Law
216 N. Sterling Street
Morganton, NC 28655
(828) 437-6553
[email protected]
Appointed by the President Pro Tempore of the Senate

Ms. Stacey Rubain

Assistant Federal Public Defender
Federal Public Defender’s Office
301 N Elm St.
Greensboro, NC 27401
(336) 725-6600
[email protected]
Appointed by the NC State Bar

Ms. Miriam M. Thompson

Attorney at Law, PLLC
307 N 5th Ave.
Wilmington
(910) 342-0760
[email protected]
Appointed by NCAJ

Mr. Marshall Ellis

Attorney at Law, LLP
301 East Main Street
Elizabeth City
NC 27909
(252) 335-0871
[email protected]
Appointed by the NC Speaker of the House

George P. Doyle

Attorney at Law
210 N. Columbia Street
Chapel Hill, NC 27514
(919) 942-4162
[email protected]
Appointed by the NC Bar Association

Upcoming Meetings

Link to the IDS Commission Statement on Confederate Monument Displays – October 2023