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.

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.

Click HERE to sign up.

  • Probabilistic Genotyping: Interpreting Complex DNA Mixtures with STRmix

    FREE CLE Probabilistic Genotyping: Interpreting Complex DNA Mixtures with STRmix Presented by Dr. Max Noureddine Feb. 25, 2026, 12:30-2:30 p.m. Johnston County Courthouse – in person only 2 hours of CLE credit anticipated     This program will take place in 3 locations in Western, Central, and Eastern North Carolina. *Additional dates and locations are […]

  • Death Penalty 2026 Seminar

    The North Carolina Advocates for Justice and Indigent Defense Services present the Death Penalty 2026 Seminar in Chapel Hill April 23-24, 2026. The registration link and hotel reservation link are below. SPECIAL NOTE TO STATE EMPLOYEES is at the bottom of the email. State employees must get supervisor approval to IDS in order to seek […]

  • Disability Advocacy and The Criminal Justice System

    Monday, April 20th 12:30-1:30pm 1 General CLE   Description of Presentation: People with opioid use disorder frequently face dangerous and unlawful disruptions in care when they enter jails, including forced withdrawal from prescribed medication for opioid use disorder (MOUD). This training provides court-appointed attorneys with a practical and legally grounded framework for addressing these issues. […]

  • Attorney Unwellness and Ethical Issues

    Disclaimer: The links and materials shared with you, including but not limited to resources and CLE opportunities, are provided to you as a courtesy. While Indigent Defense Services (IDS) strives to ensure that shared content is useful, we do not guarantee its completeness, accuracy, or applicability to any particular case or circumstance. Users are encouraged […]

  • Defending Sexual Assault Cases Training

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

    The Defending Sexual Assault Cases 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 program will be held at the UNC School of Government on Thursday, April 16, through Friday, April 17. Topics will include pretrial investigation, motions practice, theme […]

  • Probabilistic Genotyping: Interpreting Complex DNA Mixtures with STRmix

    FREE CLE Probabilistic Genotyping: Interpreting Complex DNA Mixtures with STRmix Presented by Dr. Max Noureddine Feb. 25, 2026, 12:30-2:30 p.m. Johnston County Courthouse – in person only 2 hours of CLE credit anticipated     This program will take place in 3 locations in Western, Central, and Eastern North Carolina. *Additional dates and locations are […]

  • Vaya Health LME/MCO Info 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: Tuesday, March 27 @ 1pm Registration: here https://nccourts.webex.com/weblink/register/rf1f20ad9b7eb313e05f8843f45752c87 There is no CLE […]

  • 2026 Civil Defense Special Topic

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

    The 2026 Civil Defense Special Topic, co-sponsored by the UNC School of Government and the Office of Indigent Defense Services, is now open. PROGRAM OVERVIEW, DATES, AND LOCATION: This program will be held at the UNC School of Government on Thursday, March 19, through Friday, March 20. Sessions will focus on the various stages of a […]

  • ‘Whiskey in the Courtroom’ 12: Neurodiversity

    Duke Law School Durham, NC

    Indigent Defense Services and the Duke Law Center for Criminal Justice and Professional Responsibility are pleased to announce the twelfth annual CLE, “Whiskey in the Courtroom: Evolving Trends in Forensic Science.” Whiskey 12 will take place on March 6, 2026 at Duke Law School. Forensic science experts and attorneys who have litigated cases involving complex scientific […]

  • Probabilistic Genotyping: Interpreting Complex DNA Mixtures with STRmix

    FREE CLE Probabilistic Genotyping: Interpreting Complex DNA Mixtures with STRmix Presented by Dr. Max Noureddine Feb. 25, 2026, 12:30-2:30 p.m. Johnston County Courthouse – in person only 2 hours of CLE credit anticipated     This program will take place in 3 locations in Western, Central, and Eastern North Carolina. *Additional dates and locations are […]

  • Current Developments in Criminal Law – Webinar

    Registration for the Current Developments in 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. UNC School of Government faculty members, […]

  • 2026 Child Support Enforcement Course

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

    The 2026 Child Support Enforcement course, co-sponsored by the UNC School of Government and the Office of Indigent Defense Services, is now open. PROGRAM OVERVIEW, DATE, AND LOCATION: Child Support Enforcement will be held at the School of Government on Tuesday, February 17, 2026. Topics will include civil and criminal contempt; trending issues involving incarceration; […]