Higher-Level Felony Defense

This course is co-sponsored by the UNC School of Government and the Office of Indigent Defense Services.

The Higher-Level Felony Defense Training is for 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. 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.

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

This course will be held on Tuesday, September 9 - Thursday, September 11.

The registration deadline is 5:00 p.m. on Friday, August 22.  

Additional information

 

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. 

AGENDA: We will announce the final agenda soon.

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

CLE CREDIT: This program will offer up to 12.50 hours of continuing legal education (CLE) credit, including 1 hour of ethics credit (pending State Bar approval).

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.”

 

  • Chapel Hill, NC
    September 9 - 11, 2025
    UNC School of Government
    400 South Road
    Chapel Hill, NC 27514
    View Cancellation Policy
    Course participants who cancel their registration on or before September 01, 2025 will receive a full refund. No refund will be made for cancellations on or after September 02, 2025, 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

    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.”

    View Additional Information
    Must apply
    40

    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:

    $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 Attorneys:

    $350.00
    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
Teaching Associate Professor of Public Law and Government; Director, Public Defense Education