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.
Current Developments in Criminal Law – Webinar
Registration for the Current Developments in Criminal Law webinar is now open. Thanks to the support of the Office of Indigent Defense Services and the UNC School of Government, we are pleased to announce that there is no registration fee for indigent defenders who meet the eligibility criteria described below.
UNC School of Government faculty members, Phil Dixon, Jr., and Danny Spiegel, will discuss state and federal appellate court decisions and other recent criminal law developments.
PROGRAM OVERVIEW & DATES: The Current Developments in Criminal Law webinar will be held on Friday, February 20, from 1:30 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. This webinar is open to public defenders, private attorneys who do indigent criminal defense work, and other court personnel wo handle criminal cases. Please plan to sign on 15 minutes before the start of the webinar to test your connection.
FEE: There is no registration fee for IDS state employees. There is no registration fee for private assigned counsel who do trial or appellate work, managed assigned counsel, or capital attorneys who were paid more than $500 for indigent cases during the 2024-2025 fiscal year (July 1, 2024-June 30, 2025). The registration fee for private attorneys and others is $95.00.
REGISTRATION: Register here for the Current Developments in Criminal Law webinar. Pre-registration is required. The registration deadline is Monday, February 16.
Questions Regarding Private Assigned Counsel, Managed Assigned Counsel, and Capital Attorney Eligibility: If you have questions regarding your eligibility to attend the program without paying a registration fee, please contact Aaron Gallagher, IDS Fiscal Officer, at [email protected] to determine your eligibility.
CLE CREDIT: The webinar will offer up to 1.5 hours of general CLE credit and qualifies for NC State Bar criminal law specialization credit. To receive CLE credit, all participants must pre-register individually, even if the webinar is watched in a group setting. To receive partial credit, please submit your form to Kayla Fowler at [email protected] by 12:00 p.m. on Wednesday, February 25.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: If you have any questions or need further information, contact Program Manager Kayla Fowler at [email protected].
