Higher-Level Felony Defense

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September 9 - 11, 2025 | 9:00am-5:00pm | Chapel Hill

Registration is closed for the 2025 Higher-Level Felony Defense Training.

The program is open to attorneys interested in handling higher-level felony cases at the trial level. Topics will include preparing for serious felony cases, eyewitness identifications, habitual felons, self-defense, client relations and rapport, sentencing law and advocacy, and mitigation investigation.

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

AGENDA

You can view the 2025 agenda here.

REGISTRATION FEE

The registration fee for private attorneys is $350. There is no fee for IDS state employees and private assigned and managed assigned counsel.

CONTINUING EDUCATION INFORMATION

The program will offer approximately 12.50 hours of continuing legal education (CLE) credit, including 1 hour of ethics (pending State Bar approval).

REQUIREMENTS

The program consists of a mix of lectures and intensive small-group workshops. Due to the program's interactive nature, participants must attend all sessions.

Due to the expected level of interest, the intensive nature of the training, and limits on seating capacity, the program will be capped at 40 total participants. You must take the following steps BEFORE you can register.

If you are in a public defender’s office, you must obtain the approval of your Chief Public Defender to register. Because of limited space, each office is allotted one slot.

If you are a private assigned counsel or managed assigned counsel, you must currently represent appointed felony clients to register.

Additional information

HOTEL INFORMATION

A block of rooms is available at the Tru by Hilton Chapel Hill (1742 Fordham Blvd, Chapel Hill, NC) for $129 plus taxes and fees. The hotel reservation deadline is Saturday, August 9. To reserve a room, please refer to the hotel’s website here or call the hotel at (984) 291-7200 and ask for room block “918” or “Higher Level Felony Defense Training.”

PARKING INFORMATION

Parking details will be provided to you by your program manager the week prior to the program. Additional directions and parking information can be found on our Visitor Information page.

MATERIALS

Program materials will be available under the "Materials" tab above. Materials are posted as they are received by instructors.

CANCELLATION POLICY

Course participants who cancel their registration more than 7 calendar days before the course start date will receive a full refund. Otherwise, participants will receive a transferrable credit to be used within 12 months. More information can be found in the full cancellation and refund policy.