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
  • 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 […]

  • Quartely IDS Commission Meeting

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

    The next quarterly Indigent Defense Services (IDS) Commission Meeting will be held on February 7 at 10:00 am, with both in-person and virtual attendance options available. The agenda will include […]

  • Free-to-attend Ethics Hour Opportunity

    The Mecklenburg County Public Defender’s Office is hosting a free-to-attend video replay presentation of Ethical Conflicts for the Criminal Defense Attorney. This CLE is for 1 ethics hour. If you […]

  • 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 […]

  • 2025 Intensive Parent Defender Training

    The 2025 Intensive Parent Defender Training, co-sponsored by the School of Government and the North Carolina Office of Indigent Defense Services, will be held Thursday, March 6 through Friday, March […]

  • Interpreting Complex DNA Mixtures with STRmix

    The Mecklenburg County Public Defender’s Office is offering a free to attend presentation on Probabilistic Genotyping: Interpreting Complex DNA Mixtures with STRmix. Pending Approval by the NC State Bar, this […]