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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  • IDS Commission Quarterly Meeting – August 22, 2025

    North Carolina Administrative Office of the Courts 901 Corporate Center Drive, Raleigh, North Carolina

    The IDS Commission will meet Friday, August 22, 2025, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. (Location: The NCJC, Raleigh) More information is coming soon...

  • 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 […]

  • IDS Commission – Personnel Committee

    The Personnel Committee of the IDS Commission will meet in closed session as allowed by G.S. 143-318.11(a)(6) to consider the qualifications, competence, performance, character, fitness, conditions of appointment.

  • 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 […]

  • IDS Commission – Development Committee

    The IDS Development Committee, an ad hoc committee of the IDS Commission, will meet virtually on Friday, August 15, 2025 from noon to 1 p.m. Meeting Link

  • 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!

    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 […]