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!
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.
Registration for the 2025 Guardianship Proceedings for Appointed Counsel and Civil Commitment Conferences, co-sponsored by the School of Government and the Office of Indigent Defense Services, is now open. PROGRAM OVERVIEW, DATES, AND LOCATION: Both conferences will be held in-person at the School of Government in Chapel Hill and are open to public defenders, appellate […]
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 Office of Indigent Defense Services. Agenda - 2025 Felony Defender Training Program: The program will be held at the School of Government with topics covering […]
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 are pleased to announce that there is no registration fee for indigent defenders who meet the eligibility criteria described below. School of Government faculty member […]
Thanks to the support of the Office of Indigent Defense Services and the UNC School of Government, we are pleased to announce that there is no registration fee for eligible indigent defenders. The webinar, presented live by School of Government faculty member Timothy Heinle, will review issues surrounding the testimony and out-of-court statements of […]
The 2025 Defender Trial School, co-sponsored by the School of Government and the North Carolina Office of Indigent Defense Services, will be held Monday, July 7 through Friday, July 11 at the UNC School of Government. The program will offer approximately 29.50 hours of CLE credit, including one hour of Ethics credit, and qualifies for NC State […]
Deadline to register and view: August 1 This webinar, presented by School of Government faculty Timothy Heinle and public defenders from around North Carolina, will explore what defenders need to know about recovery courts (e.g., drug treatment court), including the appointment process; client eligibility; benefits; risks; tips for providing quality representation in these proceedings; […]
The 2025 Juvenile Defender Conference and Parent Attorney Conference, co-sponsored by the UNC School of Government and the Office of Indigent Defense Services, are now open. Please register by Friday, August 8. PROGRAM OVERVIEW, DATES, AND LOCATION: The Juvenile Defender Conference will be held at the School of Government on Wednesday, August 20. Topics […]
The 2025 Higher-Level Felony Defense Training, co-sponsored by the UNC School of Government and the Office of Indigent Defense Services, is now open. PROGRAM OVERVIEW, DATES, AND LOCATION: The Higher-Level Felony Defense Training will be held at the School of Government on Tuesday, September 9 – Thursday, September 11. Topics will include preparing for serious […]
The 2025 Misdemeanor Defender Training, co-sponsored by the UNC School of Government and the Office of Indigent Defense Services, is now open. PROGRAM OVERVIEW, DATES, AND LOCATION: The Misdemeanor Defender Training will be held at the UNC School of Government on Wednesday, November 12 through Friday, November 14. Topics will include impaired driving, stops […]
The 2026 Felony Defender Training, co-sponsored by the UNC School of Government and the Office of Indigent Defense Services, is now open. PROGRAM OVERVIEW, DATES, AND LOCATION: The Felony Defender Training will be held at the UNC School of Government on Wednesday, February 4, through Friday, February 6. Topics will include discovery and investigation, suppression and […]
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 are pleased to announce that there is no registration fee for indigent defenders who meet the eligibility criteria described below. UNC School of Government faculty members, […]
The Defending Sexual Assault Cases Training, co-sponsored by the UNC School of Government and the Office of Indigent Defense Services, is now open. PROGRAM OVERVIEW, DATES, AND LOCATION: The program will be held at the UNC School of Government on Thursday, April 16, through Friday, April 17. Topics will include pretrial investigation, motions practice, theme […]
