Higher-Level Felony Defense
September 8 - 10, 2026 | 9:00 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. | Chapel Hill
Registration is closed for the 2026 Higher-Level Felony Defense program.
The course 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 access the agenda here.
REGISTRATION FEE
The registration fee for private attorneys is $375. There is no fee for IDS state employees and private assigned and managed assigned counsel.
CONTINUING EDUCATION INFORMATION
The course will offer approximately 13.25 hours of continuing legal education (CLE) credit, including one hour of ethics, subject to Bar approval.
REQUIREMENTS
The course consists of a mix of lectures and intensive small-group workshops. Due to the course's interactive nature, participants must attend all sessions.
Due to the expected level of interest, the intensive nature of the course, and limits on seating capacity, the course will be capped at 30 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 Hampton Inn & Suites Chapel Hill/Durham (6121 Farrington Rd, Chapel Hill, NC) for $129 plus tax. The hotel reservation deadline is 5:00 pm on Monday, August 17. To reserve a room, please refer to the hotel’s website or call the hotel at (919) 403-8700 and ask for room block “909” or “Higher Level Felony Defense Training".
PARKING INFORMATION
Parking details will be provided to you by your program manager the week prior to the course. Additional directions and parking information can be found on our Visitor Information page.
MATERIALS
Course 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.
SPONSORSHIP
This course is co-sponsored by the North Carolina Office of Indigent Defense Services.
Materials for 2026 Higher-Level Felony Defense (September 8-10, 2026) can be found online.
Kayla Fowler
