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.

  • 2024 Spring Public Defender Conference

    We are excited to announce that registration for the 2024 Spring Public Defender Conference is now available. Click here to access the course webpage. The agenda will be posted soon.  This conference is cosponsored by the UNC School of Government, the Office of Indigent Defense Services, and the NC Association of Public Defenders. This year’s […]

  • IDS Commission Meeting

    May 3, 2024 Location: The Whitted Building - Second Floor Board Room 300 W. Tryon Street Hillsborough, NC 27278

  • FREE WEBINAR: How to be inclusive with people who have disabilities

    (This is not an IDS-sponsored event.) On Thursday, April 25, join NACDL and RespectAbility for an engaging webinar on welcoming and including people with disabilities at your organization as staff, leaders, and other key stakeholders. The session will cover best practices in fostering accessible, equitable, and inclusive organizational cultures and workplaces, from recruiting, onboarding, and retaining diverse, […]

  • 2024 Death Penalty Seminar

    https://members.ncaj.com/?pg=events&evAction=showDetail&eid=273356 2024 Death Penalty Seminar | April 25-26, 2024 Durham, NC Above is the link for the Death Penalty 2024 Seminar. The link includes the agenda, the registration form, and hotel reservation information. This year's seminar has two parts, each with a separate fee. On Thursday night, April 25, 2024, there will be an open bar […]

  • Before, During and After Prison

    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 in person or live webcast presentation on Before, During and After Prison: One Man’s Journey through the Criminal System. Pending approval by the NC State Bar, this presentation is for 1 general hour and you must complete the post-CLE survey to submit your […]

  • 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 […]