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.
FREE WEBINAR: Recovery Courts for Defenders
Deadline to register and view: August 1
This webinar, presented by School of Government faculty Timothy Heinle and public defenders from around North Carolina, will explore what defenders need to know about recovery courts (e.g., drug treatment court), including the appointment process; client eligibility; benefits; risks; tips for providing quality representation in these proceedings; available resources; and the unique challenges defenders and their clients face in recovery courts.
Participants: The Recovery Courts for Defenders webinar is open to public defenders and private assigned and managed assigned counsel, including those who practice in recovery courts or are interested in learning more.
Format: This webinar consists of pre-recorded sessions.
Registration: To register and find additional information about the webinar visit the course page at: https://www.sog.unc.edu/courses/recovery-courts-overview-defenders. The deadline to register and view the webinar is Friday, August 1, 2025. Content is available now and will remain available to anyone who registers until Friday, August 1, 2025.
Fee: Thanks to the support of the Office of Indigent Defense Services and the UNC School of Government, we are pleased to offer this content at no charge, including for indigent defenders.
***After Friday, August 1, 2025, the webinar will only be available on the on-demand website to purchase for CLE credit or to view for free without CLE credit.***
CLE Credit & Certification: The webinar offers 1.0 hour of general CLE credit. To receive CLE credit, all participants must register individually, even if the webinar is watched in a group setting. CLE credit will be submitted on your behalf to the State Bar by Friday, August 8, 2025.
For More Information: Please contact Kayla Fowler, Program Manager, at [email protected].
