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.
Navigating the Capacity and Commitment Process
Registration for the Navigating the Capacity and Commitment Process Training, scheduled for April 4, 2024, is now open and available at https://www.sog.unc.edu/courses/navigating-capacity-and-commitment-process.
This training is co-sponsored by the UNC School of Government and the NC Department of Health and Human Services, Division of State Operated Healthcare Facilities. **The agenda can be found at this link.
Program: The program will be held at the School of Government with topics covering the ITP process, an overview of the LCFE program, information sharing concerning mental health treatment, considerations in capacity evaluations, and reviewing capacity restoration and reports.
Participants: This training is open to public defenders and private defense attorneys who perform a significant amount of appointed work. The program is geared toward defense attorneys new to handling capacity issues.
REGISTRATION: To register and find other program information, visit the course page. The priority registration deadline for public defenders, IDS employees, private assigned counsel, managed assigned counsel, and capital attorneys is 5:00 p.m. on Monday, March 11. The registration deadline for private attorneys and others is 5:00 p.m. on Friday, March 22. Please plan on attending all sessions.
FEE: There is no registration fee for this course.
Credit & Certification: The program offers 5.50 hours of continuing legal education (CLE) credit (pending Bar approval).
Hotel Information: A block of rooms is available at Tru by Hilton Chapel Hill (1742 Fordham Blvd Chapel Hill, NC) with a rate of $121 plus taxes and fees. The rate includes complimentary breakfast, parking, and free Wi-F-. To reserve a room, book here or call the hotel directly at 919-291-7200 and mention group code “CIT” or “Capacity Issues Training.” The hotel reservation deadline is March 15, 2024.
TRAVEL REIMBURSEMENT—IDS STATE EMPLOYEES ONLY: Contact Shannon Simmons, IDS Accounts Payable Supervisor, at [email protected]. Please note that travel reimbursement forms must be submitted to IDS Financial Services by the end of the month following the travel, or reimbursement will be denied.
Additional Information: We look forward to seeing you in April. If you have any questions or need further information, contact Kayla Fowler at [email protected]. If you have questions regarding the content, contact Phil Dixon, Jr., Director of Public Defense Education, 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 accommodation to participate in any School of Government program, please let us know.
