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!
2025 IDS Forensic Science Education Series – Part 2
IDS and the Mecklenburg Public Defender’s Office offer FREE, regular continuing education to criminal defense and parent attorneys, investigators, and mitigation specialists across North Carolina.
Inside the State Crime Lab: Forensic Testing Explained
July 24: Drug Chemistry – Forensic Scientist Manager Amanda Venable
Aug. 7: Toxicology – Forensic Scientist Supervisor Danielle O’Connell
Sept. 4: Trace Evidence – Forensic Scientist Manager David Freehling
Sept. 18: Mobile Device Examinations and Audio/Video Examinations – Forensic Scientist II Sterling Hunt
Oct. 2: Forensic Biology – Forensic Scientist Supervisor Wendell Ivory
Nov. 6: Firearms – Forensic Scientist Manager Jennifer Slish
Dec. 4: Latent Evidence – Forensic Scientist Managers Summer Maffett and Karen Morrow
IDS Mental Health and Education Series
Monthly sessions are held on the third Thursday of each month from 1-2 p.m. EST.
Topics Include:
- Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder – July
- Trauma Stewardship for Self and Others – August
- Suicide Prevention – September
- Stress Management for the Holidays – October
- 6 “R”s of Trauma-Informed Care – November
- Perinatal Mental Health – December
- This event has passed.
2025 Bridging the Gap Mitigation Conference
Registration is now open for the Bridging the Gap IX Mitigation Conference.
The Seminar will be a live in person conference in Raleigh at the AOC Building in Raleigh. (901 Corporate Center Drive)
The dates are December 2-4, 2025.
The agenda here: BRIDGING THE GAP IX MITIGATION CONFERENCE iiii
REGISTRATION: The registration fee is $110.00 for all registrants. There is a limit of 110 participants.
HOW TO REGISTER: Please mail a check or money order payable to IDS. The address is:
Jennifer Webster
Office of the Capital Defender
123 West Main Street, Suite 601
Durham, NC 27701
HOTEL: There are several hotels in the area. Feel free to book your rooms at any hotel on your own if you prefer. The AOC Building said a lot of people register at the Hampton Inn, which offers a government rate of $125 plus taxes.
Here is the link for the Hampton Inn:
NC Office of the Courts Corp Rate w/ Hampton Inn and Suites: Raleigh/Cary/Lenovo Center
The conference starts December 2 at noon and ends early December 4, so you may only need a hotel for two nights (December 2 and 3).
QUESTIONS: If you have any questions, contact either Terry Alford: [email protected] or Jennifer Webster: [email protected]
**SPECIAL NOTE TO STATE EMPLOYEES:
State employees must get prior approval to attend this seminar in order to seek reimbursement using the form AOC-A-182.
You can then register and reserve your room. If you have prior approval, you do not have to pay the registration fee as IDS will cover this fee.
You do need to let Jennifer Webster know you are attending and that you have the approval of your supervisor. You need to book your own hotel room and pay for the room. After the seminar, you can seek reimbursement for mileage, hotel, and meals per state rates and rules.
SPECIAL NOTE TO PRESENTERS:
Presenters do not have to pay the registration fee but will need to book your own room. Presenters should pay for their mileage, food, and hotel. Presenters can then seek reimbursement for mileage, food, and hotel at the state rate.
