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.

  • Introduction to Wymore Jury Selection – *For attorneys on the Capital Roster Only

    Robeson County Courthouse Lumberton, NC

    FREE Wymore training in Lumberton, NC on June 2, 2023! Registration Deadline is May 30, 2023. IDS, The Office of the Capital Defender, and the Robeson Public Defender Office are hosting a daylong seminar on Wymore Jury Selection Friday, June 2, 2023, from 9 a.m. to 4:15 p.m. This is an in-person event! Location: The […]

  • CLE on Lawful Use of Defensive Force

    The Mecklenburg County Public Defender's Office is hosting a free to attend CLE on Lawful Use of Defensive Force. Pending approval by the NC State Bar, this CLE is for 2 general hours If you […]

  • 2023 Spring Public Defender Conference

    This year’s conference will be held in person May 10-12, 2023, at the Winston-Salem Benton Convention Center (301 W 5th St, Winston-Salem, NC 27101).

  • 2023 Death Penalty Seminar

    The annual 2023 Death Penalty Seminar begins April 27. This is an in-person seminar only. The location is the Doubletree RDU Hotel at Research Triangle Park, 4810 Page Creek Lane, […]

  • CLE on Mental Health and Stress Resilience for Attorneys

    The Mecklenburg County Public Defender's Office is hosting a free to attend CLE on Mental Health and Stress Resilience for Attorneys. Pending approval by the NC State Bar, this CLE is for 1 mental health/substance abuse […]

  • The IRP-Interdisciplinary Representation Program

    Attention Parent Defenders: The IRP-Interdisciplinary Representation Program essentially places contract social workers with parent attorneys (at their request) in the same manner that the DSS social worker is assigned to […]