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.

  • Mitigation for the Noncapital Client – A Series!

    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 […]

  • IDS Commission – Development Committee

    The IDS Development Committee, an ad hoc committee of the IDS Commission, will meet virtually on Friday, July 18, 2025 from noon to 1 p.m. Meeting Link

  • Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders

    Session 2: 2025 IDS Mental Health and Education Series 60 minutes of General Education CLE Credit   Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders: Detecting, Evaluating, and Prioritizing the “Invisible” Disorder presented by Dr. Natalie Novick Brown Schedule: The webinar will be held on Thursday, July 17th from 1 p.m. – 2 p.m. Please plan to sign on […]

  • 2025 Defender Trial School

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

    The 2025 Defender Trial School, co-sponsored by the School of Government and the North Carolina Office of Indigent Defense Services, will be held Monday, July 7 through Friday, July 11 at the UNC School of Government.   The program will offer approximately 29.50 hours of CLE credit, including one hour of Ethics credit, and qualifies for NC State […]

  • FREE Webinar for Indigent Defenders in Civil Proceedings

    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 eligible indigent defenders.   The webinar, presented live by School of Government faculty member Timothy Heinle, will review issues surrounding the testimony and out-of-court statements of […]

  • Mitigation for the Noncapital Client – A Series!

    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 […]

  • 2025 IDS Mental Health Education Series – First FREE Webinar

    Register NOW for the first session of the 2025 IDS Mental Health Education Series: Introduction to Trauma Informed Interviewing presented by Emma Paul   Schedule: The webinar will be held on Wednesday, June 18 from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. Please plan to sign on 15 minutes before the start of the webinar to test […]

  • Summer Criminal Law Update Webinar

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

    Registration for the Summer 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 2025 Summer Criminal Law Webinar will […]

  • Free CLE on Crisis Response Services

    The Mecklenburg County Public Defender's Office is hosting a free-to-attend CLE on Crisis Response Services. This CLE is approved for 1 general hour, and everyone who needs CLE credit must either complete the post-CLE survey OR email their name, NC State Bar # and how long they attended to [email protected]. All attendance is confirmed by […]

  • LME/MCO Information Session

    Partners LME/MCO Information Session for the following counties: Burke, Cabarrus, Catawba, Cleveland, Davie, Davidson, Forsyth, Gaston, Iredell, Lincoln, Rutherford, Stanly, Surry, Union, Yadkin Date/Time: Thursday, May 22nd 1pm-2pm Registration Link: https://nccourts.webex.com/weblink/register/rdef53f3e5c85cd5d56fc13e7aaecc40b There is no CLE credit offered for this programming. Do you have a client who has or may be eligible for the Medicaid Tailored […]

  • DWI Knoll Motions

    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 presentation on DWI Knoll Motions. Pending approval by the NC State Bar, this presentation is for 1 other hour. Please register here: Register for May 21st DWI Knoll Motions When: May 21, 2025 12-1pm. You may log on or enter the 4th floor […]

  • Child Welfare CLE for Eastern North Carolina

    FREE CLE! Open to all attorneys and judges! When: Wednesday, May 21, 2025 from 11:30 am – 3:00 pm Where: Criminal Superior Courtroom Lenoir County Courthouse 130 S. Queen Street Kinston, NC CLEs: Good for 3 general credit CLE hours!   The agenda will feature all new topics and will include a panel of local judges, […]