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
  • The Care, Feeding and Discovery of Expert Witnesses

    Mecklenburg Public Defender's Office 720 E 4th Street, Charlotte, NC, United States

    The Mecklenburg County Public Defender’s Office is hosting a free-to-attend CLE on The Care, Feeding, and Discovery of Expert Witnesses. When: October 10 from 12:30-1:30 p.m. Everyone who registers will receive an email on October 9 with instructions to join. You may log on or enter the conference room by 12:15 p.m. Please register here: […]

  • Mitigation for the Noncapital Client – A Series!

    The Mecklenburg County Public Defender’s Office and the Federal Defender for the Western District of North Carolina are hosting a FREE-to-attend Mitigation for the Non-Capital Client Series, either in person at the Mecklenburg County Public Defender’s Office or through Webex. Each session is 90 minutes (from 12:30-2pm) and is approved for 1.5 hours of other […]

  • Practical Criminal Law 2025 – Rowan County In-Person CLE

    September 26, 2025 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Location: Wallace Educational Forum 500 North Main Street, Salisbury, NC 28144   ROWAN-CLE BROCHURE CRIM 2025 Approved for 7 hours of CLE credit (includes 1 hour of ethics and 1 hour of technology CLE).

  • LME/MCO Information Session*

    Trillium Health Resources LME/MCO Information Session *for the following counties: Anson, Beaufort, Bertie, Bladen, Brunswick, Camden, Carteret, Chowan, Columbus, Craven, Currituck,  Dare, Duplin, Edgecombe, Gates, Greene,  Guilford, Halifax, Hertford, Hoke, Hyde, Jones, Lee, Lenoir, Martin, Montgomery, Moore, Nash, New Hanover, Northampton, Onslow, Pamlico, Pasquotank, Pender,  Perquimans, Pitt, Randolph, Richmond, Robeson, Sampson, Scotland, Tyrrell, Warren, Washington, […]

  • Suicide Prevention

    Part of the  2025 IDS Mental Health and Education Series 60 minutes of General Education CLE Credit   Suicide Prevention Presented by Dr. Mike Crum Schedule: The webinar will be held on Thursday, September 18th from 1 p.m. – 2 p.m. Please plan to sign on 15 minutes before the start of the webinar to […]

  • 2025 Higher-Level Felony Defense Training

    UNC School of Government 400 South Rd., Chapel Hill, United States

    The 2025 Higher-Level Felony Defense Training, co-sponsored by the UNC School of Government and the Office of Indigent Defense Services, is now open. PROGRAM OVERVIEW, DATES, AND LOCATION: The Higher-Level Felony Defense Training will be held at the School of Government on Tuesday, September 9 – Thursday, September 11. Topics will include preparing for serious […]

  • Mitigation for the Noncapital Client – A Series!

    The Mecklenburg County Public Defender’s Office and the Federal Defender for the Western District of North Carolina are hosting a FREE-to-attend Mitigation for the Non-Capital Client Series, either in person at the Mecklenburg County Public Defender’s Office or through Webex. Each session is 90 minutes (from 12:30-2pm) and is approved for 1.5 hours of other […]

  • Restorative Justice in Durham and Orange Counties

    Restorative Justice in Durham and Orange Counties August 29, 2025, 12:15 to 1:30 pm 5517 Durham-Chapel Hill Blvd, Durham To register, click here. This in-person event is free and lunch will be provided. Approved for one hour of CLE credit by the North Carolina State Bar. Join Restorative Justice Durham and DSC to learn about […]

  • Trauma Stewardship for Self and Others

    July 2025 Mental Health and Education Series: Trauma Stewardship for Self and Others   Good for 60 Minutes of Well Being CLE Credit ***No Partial Credit Given*** Schedule: The webinar will be held on Thursday, August 21st from 1 p.m. – 2 p.m. Please plan to sign on 15 minutes before the start of the […]

  • Registration OPEN for the 2025 Juvenile Defender and Parent Defender Conferences

    UNC School of Government 400 South Rd., Chapel Hill, United States

    The 2025 Juvenile Defender Conference and Parent Attorney Conference, co-sponsored by the UNC School of Government and the Office of Indigent Defense Services, are now open. Please register by Friday, August 8.   PROGRAM OVERVIEW, DATES, AND LOCATION: The Juvenile Defender Conference will be held at the School of Government on Wednesday, August 20. Topics […]

  • 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; […]

  • Mitigation for the Noncapital Client – A Series!

    The Mecklenburg County Public Defender’s Office and the Federal Defender for the Western District of North Carolina are hosting a FREE-to-attend Mitigation for the Non-Capital Client Series, either in person at the Mecklenburg County Public Defender’s Office or through Webex. Each session is 90 minutes (from 12:30-2pm) and is approved for 1.5 hours of other […]