IDS announces the appointment of Annick Lenoir-Peek by the IDS Commission as the new Parent Defender for the state of North Carolina. A nationally
Inaugural Leader for the state Office of the Parent Defender (OPD) is set to retire
Wendy Sotolongo leaves behind a blueprint for continued progress toward a shared vision for the social work program she created to: continue improving
Recap from the 2025 Spring Public Defender Conference Opening Ceremony
ICYMI:
IDS welcomes new data analyst
The Office of Indigent Defense Services is pleased to introduce Joshua Hummel as the new IDS Data Analyst. His first day was May 19,
IDS Commission votes on next Parent Defender
At the close of the May 2, 2025, meeting of the Commission on IDS, Chair Bryan Jones announced that the commission had voted to appoint Annick
IDS Commission acknowledges Pitt County Chief Public Defender
At its May 2 quarterly meeting, the IDS Commission recognized Pitt County Chief Public Defender Robert C. "Bert" Kemp III for being named the most
Criminal defense group visits State Crime Lab
About 20 assistant public defenders, private defense counsel, investigators and legal assistants from Rutherford, Lincoln, Cleveland, Haywood and
IDS Commission to meet May 2
The next quarterly IDS Commission meeting is scheduled for Friday, May 2, 2025, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. in person. The open session/public portion
Free CLE event explores “Defending Death by Distribution” cases
Attendees at the "Defending Death by Distribution" CLE (left) heard from a panel of defenders (second from left) and practiced jury selection with
Erroneous ‘Retained’ Status in eCourts Portal will not affect payment
Several PAC attorneys have reached out to express concern about their appointment status being marked as “Retained” in Portal. “Retained” is the
Celebrating ‘Defender Day’ 2025
Today marks the 62nd anniversary of the U.S. Supreme Court landmark case of Gideon v. Wainwright. (See the Facts and Case Summary from
Hoke and Scotland counties get a new chief public defender
On December 23, 2024, the Honorable Senior Resident Superior Court Judge Stephan R. Futrell of Judicial District 21 (Anson, Richmond, and Scotland
New Chief for Robeson County sworn in
On January 1, 2025, Jack H. Moody, Jr., was sworn in as Chief Public Defender for District 20 at the Robeson County Courthouse by the Honorable Senior
IDS collaborates with UNC School of Government to plan upcoming curriculum for defense attorneys
On January 15, attorneys and faculty from IDS and the UNC School of Government met for a day-long workshop to plan the future of public defense
IDS welcomes new Regional Defender
Join us in welcoming Sharif Deveaux as the newest IDS Regional Defender. His official start date was January 6, 2025. Sharif graduated Magna Cum
2025 IDS Forensic Science Education Series begins Feb. 6
IDS is looking forward to another great year of professional development in 2025. In collaboration with the Mecklenburg County Public Defender’s
December 2024 PAC Fund Update
December 16, 2024 While the PAC Fund issue is not fully resolved, we will see a temporary improvement due to (1) a one-time advance of quarterly
Forensic webinars wrap up for the year
In collaboration with the Mecklenburg County Public Defender’s Office, IDS just completed its fifth consecutive year of offering FREE, regular
Important Update: How to get paid in expunged cases
You may recall... Per Session law (S.L. 2022-47 and S.L. 2023-103) amending G.S. 15A-146(a4), for misdemeanor and felony criminal cases that are
IDS, OJD attend Campbell University Career Night
IDS Recruitment and Training Coordinator Carla Huff and Burcu Hensley, from the Office of the Juvenile Defender, joined more than 35 prospective
IDS seeks Parent Defender
The Office of the Parent Defender (OPD) was created to provide and promote high-quality legal representation for parents with an
IDS Commission reappoints two defenders
Congratulations are in order for Robert E. Sharpe, Jr., and Eric Zogry. At the November 15 quarterly meeting of the IDS Commission, and by a
Johnston County public defender holds swearing-in ceremony
The newest public defender office in North Carolina recently held a swearing-in ceremony for its staff of four new assistant public defenders. The
IDS welcomes new assistant public defenders
Please join IDS in welcoming the newest assistant public defenders who passed the State Bar exam and were sworn in this calendar year. Welcome aboard!