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Public Defense Education

Felony Defender Training - February 4-6, 2026

This is a collection of digital materials used and referenced in the Felony Defender Training held February 4-6, 2026.

Please select the arrows next to each title to access the drop-down of materials. During the training, this page will be periodically updated as we receive additional materials. All available materials from the program will be posted here within three weeks of the conclusion of the course.

More information on the program can be found on the course homepage. If you have any questions, please contact Program Manager, Kayla Fowler

Course Materials

Agenda - 2026 Felony Defender Training
February, 2026
Presentation - Felony Case Preparation-What's Different in Superior Court
February, 2026

Presented by Danny Spiegel, Assistant Professor of Public Law and Government, UNC School of Government, Chapel Hill, NC

Presentation - Sentencing in Superior Court
February, 2026

Presented by Jamie Markham, Professor of Public Law and Government, UNC School of Government, Chapel Hill, NC

Presentation - Discovery and Investigation in Felony Cases
February, 2026

Presented by Kevin Williams, Attorney, Law Offices of Kevin Williams, Greenville, NC

Presentation - Confidential Informants and Defense Investigation: A Case Study
February, 2026

Presented by Jackie Willingham, Attorney, Willingham Law, Raleigh, NC

Presentation - Motions to Suppress: Statements, Property, and Identification
February, 2026

Presented by Phil Dixon, Jr., Teaching Associate Professor of Public Law and Government and Director of Public Defense Education, UNC School of Government, Chapel Hill, NC


This presentation has been shared via email to all attendees. 

Presentation - Ethics for Felony Defenders
February, 2026

Presented by Kelley DeAngelus, Deputy Counsel, and Cameron Lee, Deputy Counsel

North Carolina State Bar, Raleigh, NC

There is no presentation to be shared for this session per the speaker's request.

Presentation - Preservation Essentials
February, 2026

Presented by Amanda Zimmer, Assistant Appellate Defender and Director of Training, Outreach and Special Litigation, Office of the Appellate Defender, Durham, NC 

Presentation - Motion Practice to Advance Your Theory of the Case
February, 2026

Presented by Jonathan Broun, Attorney, Law Offices of Jonathan E. Broun, Carrboro, NC

There is no presentation to be shared for this session.

Presentation - A View from the Bench
February, 2026

Presented by the Honorable Bryan Collins, Resident Superior Court Judge, Judicial District 10, Wake County, NC

There is no presentation to be shared for this session.

Presentation - Pretrial Release Advocacy in Superior Court
February, 2026

Presented by Idrissa Smith, Assistant Public Defender, Durham County Office of the Public Defender, Durham, NC 

Presentation - Lab Reports and Legal Issues
February, 2026
Presentation - Negotiating in Superior Court
February, 2026

Presented by Derek Brown, Attorney, The Derek K. Brown Law Firm, PC, Greenville, NC

Presentation - Pleading Guilty in Superior Court
February, 2026

Presented by Ray Griffis, Attorney, Doby & Griffis, Attorneys at Law, Graham, NC

Presentation - Voir Dire and Demonstration
February, 2026

Presented by Kathy Simmons, Assistant Public Defender, Mecklenburg County Public Defender's Office, Charlotte, NC

Public Officials - Courts and Judicial Administration Roles