The IDS Commission will meet Friday, November 6, 2026, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the High Point University School of Law. To enter the
IDS Welcomes New Accounting Specialist to the Durham Office
Sebastian Fowler was recently hired as IDS Accounting Specialist. His start date was October 26, 2026. He replaces Kristen DeSimone, who retired at
Rate Increases for Private Assigned Counsel
At its August 7 meeting, the IDS Commission voted for an across-the-board rate increase for private assigned counsel. The new rates are effective
Jason E. Ross is sworn in as the Inaugural Chief Public Defender for the 22nd Judicial District
I am truly honored to serve as the first Chief Public Defender for Judicial District 22. After more than 30 years practicing law in this community,
Hourly Rate Increases for Private Assigned Counsel Become Effective October 1
The new hourly rates for Private Assigned Counsel (PAC) become effective October 1, 2026. The new rate chart is posted online
Meet Whitney Fairbanks, the New Executive Director of the Office of Indigent Defense Services
Whitney B. Fairbanks began work as the new Executive Director of the North Carolina Office of Indigent Defense Services (IDS) on August 10, 2026. She
Application Window Extended
A temporary glitch in the myworkdayjobs.com (State of NC) jobs application system may have prevented some applicants from successfully submitting
Pollard Closes Chapter on Remarkable Career
Her legacy was preserved with the presentation of the North Carolina Judicial Branch’s top award. In her wake, she leaves sweeping accomplishments and
Staff Needed for Newly Created Public Defender Office
District 22 | Caswell and Rockingham Counties The 2026 Appropriations Act established a new public defender office for District 22. The new office
IDS Seeks Assistant Director
The Office of Indigent Defense Services is seeking an Assistant Director to serve as a senior member of the IDS leadership team. The Assistant
IDS Commission to meet August 7, 2026
Location: The NC Administrative Office of the Courts / NC Judicial Center – 901 Corporate Center Drive, Raleigh, NC 27607 – The Hickory Room
IDS Commission Appoints New Executive Director
Following a thorough search and selection process, the IDS Commission has named Whitney B. Fairbanks as the next IDS executive director. This follows
Rate Hikes for Court Appointed Counsel Effective October 1, 2026
The 2026 State Appropriations Act, enacted on July 7, provides the Office of Indigent Defense Services (IDS) with additional funding for the Private
NC General Assembly Formally Changes Commission Name
As a courtesy to the North Carolina Post-Conviction Review Commission (formerly the North Carolina Innocence Inquiry Commission), we have posted the
IMPORTANT UPDATE REGARDING PAC RATES
July 7, 2026 Today, Governor Josh Stein signed the 2026 State Appropriations Act into law. The new budget provides the Office of Indigent Defense
IDS Seeks New Executive Director
The Commission on Indigent Defense Services is seeking a new Executive Director for the Office of Indigent Defense Services following the announcement
Offices Closed Friday, July 3
The Office of Indigent Defense Services will be CLOSED on Friday, July 3,in Observance of Independence Day. Happy Fourth of July!
Blog Post Features Defender District 17
The latest North Carolina Bar Association blog post features a student intern and his mentor from Defender District 17 (Alamance County). The blog
Fourth Annual Juneteenth Event Honors Local Legends
The 2026 Honoring Juneteenth in Our Courts event was hosted for a fourth year by NCCU’s The Justice Institute, the North Carolina Association of
State Bar Journal Includes Union County Feature Story
The story begins on page 16: https://digitaledition.pub/wc/csg/NC-Bar-Journal/Summer-2026/
UNC School of Government Educator Blogs About Indigent Defense
Following the announcement that IDS Executive Director Mary Pollard will retire in August, John Rubin posted a blog on June 8 regarding the search for
New Administration of Justice Bulletin Explores Conflicts of Interest
Conflicts of interest and evaluating whether an attorney can represent a person in a criminal case can be deeply complicated,
Remember and Honor
The Office of Indigent Defense Serviceswill be CLOSED on Monday, May 25, 2026in observance of the Memorial Day holiday.
2026 Annual Public Defender Awards Presented in Cherokee
The annual 2026 Spring Public Defender Conference convened Wednesday, May 6, in beautiful Cherokee, North