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.
Death Penalty 2026 Seminar
The North Carolina Advocates for Justice and Indigent Defense Services present the Death Penalty 2026 Seminar in Chapel Hill April 23-24, 2026.
The registration link and hotel reservation link are below.
SPECIAL NOTE TO STATE EMPLOYEES is at the bottom of the email. State employees must get supervisor approval to IDS in order to seek reimbursement.
Thursday night, April 23, there will be a social hour, a banquet, and a presentation that covers one hour Wellness CLE. There is a separate fee for Thursday night of $85.00. Attendance Thursday night is optional. You will find how to register for Thursday night when you register for the seminar.
The full agenda for Thursday night and for Friday is attached here: Death Penalty Agenda
Here is a link to the registration page.
Room Block Information: Please request the Death Penalty 2026 group room rate of $164 when booking your reservation at the hotel by calling (919) 968-4900 or you may do so by using the reservation link to book online. Reservations by attendees must be received on or before March 23, 2026.
Note to state employees. State employees must get prior approval for reimbursement of expenses using AOC-A-182. State employees pay the expenses out of pocket and then seek reimbursement. Please note that IDS will not reimburse for the Thursday night banquet.
