IDS and the Mecklenburg Public Defender’s Office provide regular continuing education to dozens of NC criminal defense and parent attorneys, investigators, and mitigation specialists who attend the IDS Forensic Science Education Series. In 2026, we will offer monthly 90-minute webinars on various aspects of forensic evidence. These webinars will take place typically at 12:30 pm on the first Thursday of each month.
The first six sessions of 2026 will focus on understanding and advocating for neurodivergent clients.
Registration and participation:
If you would like to attend the 2026 series, you can register using this link. Only one registration is needed for the entire series, unless specifically noted. If you signed up for the webinars in 2025, you’ll keep receiving the links to attend this year. The webinars are free to attend. Accessibility is important to us. If you have a disability and need an accommodation to participate in this program, please contact Sarah Olson, sarah.r.olson@nccourts.org, 919-354-7217.
Connecting to the webinars:
NC criminal defense and parent attorneys, investigators and mitigation specialists who register for the series will receive an email with the webinar link prior to each session. The webinars will be hosted on Webex.
2026 Schedule:
Wired Differently: Understanding and Advocating for Neurodivergent Clients
Feb. 5, 2026: Neurodivergence in Criminal Justice, Forensic Mental Health, and Legal Settings – Dr. Jerrod Brown
Mar. 5, 2026: Understanding Autism and Its Impact in Criminal Cases – Erica Brown, MA, LBA, BCBA and Eb McFall-Roberts, JD, SPHR, LCMHC
Apr. 2, 2026: Understanding ADHD and Its Impact in Criminal Cases – Dr. Beata Krembuszewski
— No session on May 7 due to Public Defender Conference —
May 14, 2026: Intellectual Disability – Mark Rabil, JD
June 4, 2026: Working with Trans, Nonbinary and Gender-diverse Clients – Dr. Brittany Bate
July 9, 2026: Reading Medical and School Records – Dr. Raj Patel