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.

Events

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Today

  • Forensic Psychological Evaluations: Guidelines for Attorneys

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

    The Mecklenburg County Public Defender’s Office is offering a free to attend in person or live webcast presentation on Forensic Psychological Evaluations: Guidelines for Attorneys. Pending approval by the NC State Bar, this presentation is for 1 general hour. If you need CLE credit, you must complete the post CLE survey. Please register below: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeceFvPL8YFFIm0av-ATRzPUq9tGJCo8PQ0j1ZTzv9zjIA6tQ/viewform?usp=sf_link […]

  • Navigating the Capacity and Commitment Process

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

    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. […]

  • FREE NACDL Webinar on March 28th

    On Thursday, March 28, join NACDL and RespectAbility for Accessibility and Universal Design for Legal Professionals. This is the second webinar of a three-part series. This webinar will help legal system professionals learn more about the ever-evolving concept of accessibility. The program will feature discussions on the principles of plain language and universal design and […]

  • Holistic Wellness Event

    Does your criminal defense work have you stressed, frazzled, and overwhelmed? Looking for an option that is accessible and can provide immediate relief? Research shows that mindfulness-based practices can improve overall health and well-being in a relatively short period of time. In the midst of our striving, achieving, tending to the needs of others, we […]

  • REGISTER NOW! “Whiskey” Turns 10!

    Duke Law School Durham, NC

    Indigent Defense Services, the Duke Law Center for Criminal Justice and Professional Responsibility, and the Wilson Center for Science and Justice are pleased to announce the tenth annual CLE, "Whiskey in the Courtroom: Evolving Trends in Forensic Science." Whiskey 10 will take place on March 8, 2024, at Duke Law School. Forensic science experts and attorneys […]

  • Intensive Juvenile Defender Training

    We are excited to announce that the Intensive Juvenile Defender Training, co-sponsored by the School of Government and the Office of Indigent Defense Services, will be held Thursday, March 7, through Friday, March 8, at the Guilford Technical Community College – Jamestown Campus (621 East Main Street, Jamestown NC 27282). PROGRAM: This year's training will […]

  • FREE WEBINAR: How to be inclusive and welcoming to persons with disabilities in the legal system

    In the United States, disabled individuals are over-represented as both victims of crime and as those accused of crimes compared with their non-disabled counterparts. This overrepresentation is even higher for those with disabilities and other marginalized identities. As a result, it is critical that all professionals working in the criminal legal system create accessible and […]

  • Current Developments in Criminal Law

    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. School of Government faculty Phil […]

  • 2024 Felony Defender Training

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

    Registration for the Felony Defender Training, scheduled for February 7-9, 2024, 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 Office of Indigent Defense Services. The agenda will be posted on the course webpage shortly. Program: The program will be held at the School of […]

  • CLE for DWI Criminal Defense Attorneys

    Sign up for Doug Scott's “Technical Aspects CLE for DWI Criminal Defense Attorneys.” This 6-hour CLE will take place on February 2, 2024 (Friday) in New Bern, NC.  There will also be future opportunities in Wilmington and Raleigh. *There is a reduced fee for public defenders. It will cover a review of SFST. The presenter […]

  • Invisible Sentence: Recognizing, Supporting, and Advocating for Children of Incarcerated and Returning Parents

    Invisible Sentence: Recognizing, Supporting, and Advocating for Children of Incarcerated and Returning Parents  FREE WEBINAR: Friday, January 26th @ 12:30pm 60-Minutes of CLE Credit Pending   About the Webinar: Participants will be able to share with others their acquired knowledge of the challenges that children of incarcerated and returning parents face daily and will be […]