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Recent News
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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 the end of the summer. Fowler holds a B.A. degree in economics with a minor in history from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. In previous roles, his main duties […]
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IDS Commission to Meet November 6, 2026
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 HPU Campus/park your vehicle: Type 608 Qubein Avenue, High Point NC 27260 into your GPS / Maps app. Or use the following Google Maps link: https://maps.app.goo.gl/CD6QGL11CQEeRfQbA When you get to […]
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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 October 1, 2026. The rates are also posted online at https://www.ncids.org/counsel-rates/ under “Current Hourly Assigned Rates.” As noted above, the rate increase is across the board. Some highlights include: To raise rates […]
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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, I’m grateful for the opportunity to give back and to build an office committed to excellence, accountability, and compassionate representation. On October 2, 2026, Jason E. Ross was sworn […]
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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 at https://www.ncids.org/counsel-rates/ under “Current Hourly Assigned Rates.” For reference, the chart includes columns for the “old” rates and the “new” rates. To ensure that you are paid the correct rate for the work you do, Notes […]
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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 steps into the role after a decade as the agency’s Assistant Director and General Counsel, a run that gave her about as close a view of the system as anyone […]