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!
2025 IDS Forensic Science Education Series – Part 2
IDS and the Mecklenburg Public Defender’s Office offer FREE, regular continuing education to criminal defense and parent attorneys, investigators, and mitigation specialists across North Carolina.
Inside the State Crime Lab: Forensic Testing Explained
July 24: Drug Chemistry – Forensic Scientist Manager Amanda Venable
Aug. 7: Toxicology – Forensic Scientist Supervisor Danielle O’Connell
Sept. 4: Trace Evidence – Forensic Scientist Manager David Freehling
Sept. 18: Mobile Device Examinations and Audio/Video Examinations – Forensic Scientist II Sterling Hunt
Oct. 2: Forensic Biology – Forensic Scientist Supervisor Wendell Ivory
Nov. 6: Firearms – Forensic Scientist Manager Jennifer Slish
Dec. 4: Latent Evidence – Forensic Scientist Managers Summer Maffett and Karen Morrow
IDS Mental Health and Education Series
Monthly sessions are held on the third Thursday of each month from 1-2 p.m. EST.
Topics Include:
- Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder – July
- Trauma Stewardship for Self and Others – August
- Suicide Prevention – September
- Stress Management for the Holidays – October
- 6 “R”s of Trauma-Informed Care – November
- Perinatal Mental Health – December
- This event has passed.
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 hour. If you need CLE credit, you must fill out the post-cle survey and the NC State Bar will charge you $3.50/hour.
Please register at the below link prior to April 19th at noon:
Date of Event: April 21, 2023 at 12:30
Where: Webex/virtual
What: Attorneys often represent clients that are struggling with mental health issues but often do not attend to their own psychological wellbeing. This has manifested into lawyers having high rates of depression, anxiety, vicarious trauma, and substance use issues. This virtual presentation will explore how to recognize warning signs but most importantly share practical approaches to manage stress and increase and sustain wellbeing.
Please contact Anthony.Monaghan@mecklenburgcountync.gov with any questions.
