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!

Click HERE to sign up.

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

Click HERE to sign up.

IDS Mental Health and Education Series

Monthly sessions are held on the third Thursday of each month from 1-2 p.m. EST.

Click HERE to sign up.

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
  • 2025 Winter Criminal Law Webinar for Indigent Defenders

    Registration for the Winter 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.   2025_Winter Criminal Law Update_Agenda   The […]

  • Perinatal Mental Health

    The 7th and final course in the 2025 Mental Health and Education Series  Perinatal Mental Health Presented by Roxanne Rosenberg, LCMHC, QS, PMH-C Description: This 1-hour training introduces participants to perinatal mental health and its importance in legal matters. The spectrum, etiology, and incidence of perinatal mental health conditions will be discussed. The intersections of […]

  • Parent Representation Basics

    December 19, 2025 Parent Representation Basics: What You Need to Know About the Child Welfare System Location: Jury Assembly Room Haywood County Courthouse 8:45 a.m. to 4:45 p.m. To sign up, email [email protected]

  • Vaya Health LME/MCO Information Session

    Vaya Health LME/MCO Information Session for the following counties: Alamance, Alexander, Alleghany, Ashe, Avery, Buncombe, Caldwell, Caswell, Chatham, Cherokee, Clay, Franklin, Graham, Granville, Haywood, Henderson, Jackson, Macon, Madison, McDowell, Mitchell, Person, Polk, Rockingham, Rowan, Stokes, Swain, Transylvania, Vance, Watauga, Wilkes, and Yancey   Date/Time: Wednesday, January 21st @ 1pm Registration: here https://nccourts.webex.com/weblink/register/rf1f20ad9b7eb313e05f8843f45752c87 There is no […]