2025 Defender Trial School

The 2025 Defender Trial School, co-sponsored by the School of Government and the North Carolina Office of Indigent Defense Services, will be held Monday, July 7 through Friday, July 11 at the School of Government. The program will offer approximately 29.50 hours of CLE credit, including one hour of Ethics credit, and qualifies for NC State Bar criminal law specialization credit.

Participants will use their own non-capital cases to develop a cohesive theory of defense at trial and apply that theory through all stages of a criminal trial, including voir dire, opening and closing arguments, and direct and cross-examination.

PARTICIPANTS

The Defender Trial School is open to public defenders and, space permitting, private attorneys who perform a significant amount of appointed work.

Because space is limited at the Trial School, public defenders must receive approval from their Chief Public Defender prior to registering. You do not need to send us anything formal from your chief defender, but please obtain approval before registering.

ATTENDANCE

Unlike other programs, you need to attend all of the sessions. The sessions build on one another, and by the end of the program, you will have developed a comprehensive strategy for trying your case.

LOCATION, DATES, AND TIMES

The program will be held Monday, July 7, through Friday, July 11, at the School of Government on the UNC-Chapel Hill campus. Check-in is on Monday from 8:00 am to 8:45 am, and the program ends around 1:00 pm on Friday. Lunch is available in the building on Monday through Thursday.

The agenda is available on the course page.

REGISTRATION

There is no registration fee for IDS employees. If you are interested in attending, register as soon as possible. Although the registration deadline is 5:00 pm on Wednesday, June 18, registration for eligible persons is on a first-come, first-served basis, and all spots may be taken before the deadline.

To register online, as well as to find directions and other program information, visit https://www.sog.unc.edu/courses/defender-trial-school. After you register, stay on the lookout for two emails: the first will confirm that you signed up, and the second will confirm that your registration is accepted.

Note that the registration system requires one unique email address per profile created, so each person from your office who plans to attend must register separately using an individual email address. Since we correspond with participants primarily through email, ensure your email address is current.

SCHOLARSHIPS

A limited number of scholarships are available for private assigned and managed assigned counsel. If you are interested in applying, click here to complete the scholarship application. If you receive a scholarship, the registration fee of $850 is waived. You are responsible for your own travel, food, and lodging expenses. Scholarships are awarded no later than two weeks after application submission. Please apply as soon as possible. The scholarship deadline is Wednesday, June 11.

BRING YOUR OWN CASE

This program differs from others that you may have attended. Although you will be working from a hypothetical case in the plenary sessions, you will spend most of your time in small groups working on your own cases. While misdemeanor cases are permitted, felonies are preferred.  See the Guide for Participants  for more information on the type of case you need to bring. Please review this guide carefully, and if your application for the program is accepted, submit the Case Summary form by 5:00 pm on Wednesday, June 25.  The case summary should be emailed to Bob Burke at [email protected].

HOTEL INFORMATION

There are two hotel block options – please see below:

Hampton Inn & Suites Chapel Hill/Durham (6121 Farrington Rd Chapel Hill, NC) – A block of rooms is available at Hampton Inn & Suites Chapel Hill/Durham with a rate of $124 plus taxes and fees valid for stay dates of July 6-11. The rate includes complimentary breakfast, parking, and free internet. To reserve a room, book here or call the hotel directly at 919-403-8700 and mention group code “900” or “Defender Trial School.” The hotel reservation deadline is June 5.

Tru by Hilton Chapel Hill (1742 Fordham Blvd Chapel Hill, NC) – A block of rooms is available at Hampton Inn & Suites Chapel Hill/Durham with a rate of $119 plus taxes and fees valid for stay dates of July 6-11. The rate includes complimentary breakfast and free internet. To reserve a room, book here or call the hotel directly at 984-291-7200 and mention group code “90A” or “Defender Trial School.” The hotel reservation deadline is June 5.

TRAVEL REIMBURSEMENT

IDS has approved this program for travel reimbursement for state employees at the state rate in accordance with state rules and regulations. Expense allowance information for this program is forthcoming. For all questions regarding travel reimbursement, contact Shannon Simmons, IDS Accounts Payable Supervisor, at [email protected] or 919-890-1660.

CONTACT

If you have any logistical questions or need additional information, contact Program Manager Kayla Fowler at [email protected]. If you have content questions, contact Bob Burke 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 an accommodation to participate in any School of Government program, please let us know.