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

FREE Online CLE! NC Criminal Cannabis Law Update – Fall 2024

The Mecklenburg County Public Defender's Office is hosting a free-to-attend online CLE: NC Criminal Cannabis Law Update - Fall 2024 This CLE is approved for 1 hour of general CLE credit. Please register below as space is limited: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSc7_oeTZDCU8XhxBqk8M9Uxwec3lS5Rtki-YWQ3GDLIzOCgag/viewform?usp=sf_link   When: October 25, 2024 from 12:30-1:30 Where: Anyplace you have internet. Everyone who registers will […]

Mental Health and Stress Resilience for Attorneys

The Mecklenburg County Public Defender's Office is hosting a free to attend online CLE on Mental Health and Stress Resilience for Attorneys. This CLE is approved for 1 hour of professional well-being CLE credit. Please register below as space is limited: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSc7zKollXK8he9mpXjiJrNBod-VwrC_trfzoULmRXIHciLLUw/viewform?usp=sf_link   When: November 8, 2024 from 12:30-1:30 Where: Anyplace you have internet. Everyone […]

Bridging the Gap VIII Mitigation Conference 2024

Registration is now OPEN for the 2024 Bridging the Gap VIII Mitigation Conference. Preparing a capital case for trial is difficult. You know the state’s case. You have figured out some sort of defense. You must plan for a sentence hearing. All the planning is directed towards convincing one or more jurors to vote for […]

2024 Misdemeanor Defender Training

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

Registration for the 2024 Misdemeanor Defender Training, co-sponsored by the School of Government and the Office of Indigent Defense Services, is now available at https://www.sog.unc.edu/courses/misdemeanor-defender-training. Agenda - 2024 Misdemeanor Defender Training Program: This course is an introductory program for attorneys new to misdemeanor cases. Sessions focus on stops and searches, impaired driving, ethical issues in […]

FREE 2024 Winter Criminal Law Update Webinar – Register Now!

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. The 2024 Winter Criminal Law Update will […]

Options in Capacity to Proceed to Trial Restoration

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 Options in Capacity to Proceed to Trial Restoration. This CLE is approved for 1 general CLE hour and […]

Defense Challenges to Firearms Evidence

Brunswick County Courthouse 310 Government Center Drive NE, Bolivia, NC, United States

Click HERE for more information about this CLE opportunity. January 10, 2025 at 11 a.m. Brunswick County Courthouse To Register: Email Bailey.P.Woods2@nccourts.org 

How to Deal with Challenging Opposing Counsel

How to Deal with Challenging Opposing Counsel: 4 Simple Tools to Keep Your Cool Wednesday, January 29th at 12pm (Eastern) Presented by Hon. Julie Kunce Field (Ret.) and Attorney Heidi […]

Understanding the Core Features of Autism

The Mecklenburg County Public Defender's Office is hosting a free to attend live webinar on Understanding the Core Features of Autism. This presentation is for 1 general CLE hour and […]

2025 Felony Defender Training

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

Registration for the Felony Defender Training, scheduled for February 5-7, 2025, is now open and available at https://www.sog.unc.edu/courses/felony-defender-training. This training is co-sponsored by the UNC School of Government and the […]