Defender Trial School

This course is co-sponsored by the Office of Indigent Defense Services.

Participants will use their own non-capital cases to develop a cohesive theory of defense at trial and apply that theory through all stages of a criminal trial, including voir dire, opening and closing arguments, and direct and cross-examination. Misdemeanor case are permitted, but felony case are preferred. The Guide for Participants explains the type of case to bring and the few steps to take to prepare for the program. 

The program is open to public defenders and, space permitting, private attorneys who perform a significant amount of appointed work.

SCHOLARSHIPS: A limited number of scholarships are available for private assigned counsel and contract attorneys. If you are interested in applying, click here to complete the scholarship application. If you receive a scholarship, the registration fee of $800 is waived. You are responsible for your own travel, food, and lodging expenses. Scholarships are awarded no later than two weeks after application submission.

Please apply as soon as possible, as scholarships are awarded on a first-come, first-served basis. The scholarship deadline is Friday, June 14.

 

The 2024 Defender Trial School will be held on Monday, July 8 thru Friday, July 12.

The registration deadline is Friday, June 21.  

 

For information about other public defense education courses, visit our Public Defense Education site. 

Additional information

AGENDA 

The agenda will be posted here.  

CLE: The program will offer approximately 29.5 hours  CLE credit, including one hour of ethics, and qualifies for NC State Bar criminal law specialization credit.

TEACHING METHODS: & PREREQUISITES: This program differs from others that you may have attended. This program is comprised of plenary sessions and intensive small-group workshops. Unlike other programs, you need to attend all of the sessions. Although you will be working from a hypothetical case in the plenary sessions, you will spend most of your time in small groups working on your own cases. 

HOTEL INFORMATION: 

There are two hotel block options – please see below:  

 Hampton Inn & Suites Chapel Hill/Durham (6121 Farrington Rd Chapel Hill, NC) - A block of rooms is available at Hampton Inn & Suites Chapel Hill/Durham with a rate of $119 plus taxes and fees valid for stay dates of July 7-12. The rate includes complimentary breakfast, parking, and free internet. To reserve a room, book here or call the hotel directly at 919-403-8700 and mention group code "DTS" or "Defender Trial School." The hotel reservation deadline is June 21.

Tru by Hilton Chapel Hill (1742 Fordham Blvd Chapel Hill, NC) - A block of rooms is available at Hampton Inn & Suites Chapel Hill/Durham with a rate of $119 plus taxes and fees valid for stay dates of July 7-12. The rate includes complimentary breakfast, parking, and free internet. To reserve a room, book here or call the hotel directly at 919-403-8700 and mention group code "DTS" or "Defender Trial School." The hotel reservation deadline is June 21.

 

General28.50 hrs
Ethics1.00 hrs
Total29.50 hrs
  • Chapel Hill, NC
    July 8 - 12, 2024
    UNC Chapel Hill - School of Government
    400 South Road
    Chapel Hill, NC 27514
    View Cancellation Policy
    Course participants who cancel their registration on or before June 30, 2024 will receive a full refund. No refund will be made for cancellations on or after July 01, 2024, but you will receive a transferrable credit to be used within 12 months. Click here to view the School’s full cancellation and refund policy.
    View Hotel Information

    There are two hotel block options – please see below:  

     Hampton Inn & Suites Chapel Hill/Durham (6121 Farrington Rd Chapel Hill, NC) - A block of rooms is available at Hampton Inn & Suites Chapel Hill/Durham with a rate of $119 plus taxes and fees valid for stay dates of July 7-12. The rate includes complimentary breakfast, parking, and free internet. To reserve a room, book here or call the hotel directly at 919-403-8700 and mention group code "DTS" or "Defender Trial School." The hotel reservation deadline is June 21.

    Tru by Hilton Chapel Hill (1742 Fordham Blvd Chapel Hill, NC) - A block of rooms is available at Hampton Inn & Suites Chapel Hill/Durham with a rate of $119 plus taxes and fees valid for stay dates of July 7-12. The rate includes complimentary breakfast, parking, and free internet. To reserve a room, book here or call the hotel directly at 919-403-8700 and mention group code "DTS" or "Defender Trial School." The hotel reservation deadline is June 21.

    View Additional Information
    Must apply
    35

    Public Defender/IDS Employee

    $0.00
    Registration and payment for this course grants access for a single attendee. In order to register a group of attendees, please register each person individually. If you have questions, please contact our registration office at registration@sog.unc.edu or 919.966.4414.

    Private Assigned Counsel/Managed Assigned Counsel/Non-IDS Employee

    $800.00
    Registration and payment for this course grants access for a single attendee. In order to register a group of attendees, please register each person individually. If you have questions, please contact our registration office at registration@sog.unc.edu or 919.966.4414.

    PAC/MAC Scholarship (Pre-Approval Required)

    A limited number of scholarships are available for private assigned counsel and contract attorneys. If you are interested in applying, click here to complete the scholarship application.

    $0.00
    Registration and payment for this course grants access for a single attendee. In order to register a group of attendees, please register each person individually. If you have questions, please contact our registration office at registration@sog.unc.edu or 919.966.4414.
For all registration questions, resetting passwords, or login issues please contact:

Dale Zuckert

Assistant Registrar
919.966.4414
For questions regarding course details, including location, schedule, materials, and continuing education credits, please contact:

Kayla Fowler

Program Manager, Courts Group
Albert Coates Professor of Public Law and Government