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.
2024 Higher-Level Felony Defense Training
Registration is OPEN!
We are pleased to announce that the 2024 Higher-Level Felony Defense training, cosponsored by the School of Government and the Office of Indigent Defense Services, will take place on Tuesday, September 10 through Thursday, September 12, 2024, at the School of Government.
PARTICIPANTS: This program is for attorneys interested in handling higher-level felony cases at the trial level. Topics will include preparing for serious felony cases, eyewitness identifications, habitual felons, self-defense, client relations and rapport, sentencing law and advocacy, and mitigation investigation. The program consists of a mix of lectures and intensive small-group workshops. Due to the program’s interactive nature, participants must attend all sessions.
AGENDA AND REGISTRATION: The agenda will be posted soon on the course page. To register, visit the course page at https://www.sog.unc.edu/courses/higher-level-felony-defense. The course registration deadline is Friday, August 30, at 5:00pm, but seats may fill quickly, and capacity is limited, so do not wait to apply!
The Office of Indigent Defense Services has agreed to fund registration for all participants, including private assigned and managed assigned counsel (although they remain responsible for the cost of their travel, lodging, and meals other than lunches and snacks provided during the training).
Due to the expected level of interest, the intensive nature of the training, and limits on seating capacity, the program is capped at a total of 34 participants. You must take the following steps BEFORE you can register.
- If you are in a public defender’s office, you must obtain the approval of your Chief Public Defender to register. Because of limited space, each office is allotted one slot.
- If you are a private assigned and managed assigned counsel, you must currently represent appointed felony clients to register.
CLE CREDIT: We have applied for 12.25 hours of credit (including 1.0 hours of ethics credit). The total final amount of CLE credit is subject to change based on approval from the North Carolina State Bar.
HOTEL INFORMATION: We are in the process of securing a block of rooms. The hotel information will be available on the course web page at a later date and in reminder emails.
CONTACT: We look forward to seeing you in September. If you have any questions or need further information, contact Program Manager Kayla Fowler at [email protected]. If you have content questions, contact Teaching Associate Professor Phil Dixon, Jr. at [email protected].
The School of Government is committed to equality of educational opportunity. The school does not discriminate in offering access to its educational programs and activities on the basis of race, color, gender, age, national origin, religion, creed, disability, veteran’s status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression. If you have a disability and need accommodation to participate in any School of Government program, please let us know.
