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SCCID Conferences and Events

As part of the ongoing mission to ensure the highest quality legal representation and indigent defense services to clients, SCCID's South Carolina Indigent Defense Academy (SCIDA) offers continuing education and training throughout the year to public defenders, indigent defense contract attorneys, and staff members across the state.  From fundamentals for new PDs to juvenile defense training to DSS defense training and more, SCIDA always offers opportunities to learn and grow.  All of SCIDA’s training conferences for attorneys are CLE-certified.

SCCID provides indigent defenders and staff with education and information in a variety of delivery methods:  classroom training, webinars, videos, and a resource bank of archived materials.

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In 2024-2025, SCCID celebrates ten years of the Fundamental Advocacy Skills Training program.  In November 2014, SCCID Launched an intensive, immersive hands-on training program for new public defenders - Public Defense 101 - 103.  The program was later expanded to include contract attorneys.  In 2020, Juvenile Defense 101 became a part of the program.  Over the past decade, hundreds of attorneys have participated in these programs, which continue to expand and improve.

Below are upcoming educational and professional development events for members. Select an event below for additional information and registration.

Upcoming Conferences and Events
10
Jan

Lunch-n-Learn Series: The Busy Lawyer's Guide to the Rules of Evidence - 1. Opinions and Expert Testimony - Rules 701 - 705

Grab your lunch and join us for this series of four webinars for all attorneys who want to hone and polish their evidence skills. Top evidence experts will cover key concepts and practical application including conducting competent examinations, making objections, impeachment, refreshing recollections, and more. Each webinar will be submitted for 1.25 hours of online MCLE credit.
Friday
17
Jan

Lunch-n-Learn Series: The Busy Lawyer's Guide to the Rules of Evidence - 2. Hearsay Evidence - Rules 801-806

Grab your lunch and join us for this series of four webinars for all attorneys who want to hone and polish their evidence skills. Top evidence experts will cover key concepts and practical application including conducting competent examinations, making objections, impeachment, refreshing recollections, and more. Each webinar will be submitted for 1.25 hours of online MCLE credit.
Friday
24
Jan

Juvenile Defense 101: Fundamentals of Juvenile Defense (2025-01)

Juvenile Defense Workshop provides a valuable training experience for South Carolina Public Defenders and 608 Contract Attorneys who represent juvenile defendants.
Columbia, SC | Friday
31
Jan

Lunch-n-Learn Series: The Busy Lawyer's Guide to the Rules of Evidence - 3. Character Evidence - Rule 404

Grab your lunch and join us for this series of four webinars for all attorneys who want to hone and polish their evidence skills. Top evidence experts will cover key concepts and practical application including conducting competent examinations, making objections, impeachment, refreshing recollections, and more. Each webinar will be submitted for 1.25 hours of online MCLE credit.
Friday
07
Feb

Last-Minute Ethics & SAMH CLE (2025)

Get the last-minute ethics and/or substance abuse/mental health hours you need for CLE compliance.
Columbia, SC | Friday
21
Feb

Lunch-n-Learn Series: The Busy Lawyer's Guide to the Rules of Evidence - 4. Writings, Recordings, and Photographs - Rules 1001-1008

Grab your lunch and join us for this series of four webinars for all attorneys who want to hone and polish their evidence skills. Top evidence experts will cover key concepts and practical application including conducting competent examinations, making objections, impeachment, refreshing recollections, and more. Each webinar will be submitted for 1.25 hours of online MCLE credit.
Friday
28
Apr

Public Defense 102: Advocacy Skills Workshop (2025)

SCCID is proud to present Public Defense 102: Trial Advocacy Workshop. This Workshop will provide an opportunity for “on your feet” criminal trial training under the supervision of experienced trial lawyers.
Columbia, SC | Monday

PD103-23 Class Photo30 new public defenders from across South Carolina and approximately 15 experienced public-defender faculty members participated in the Public Defense 103 Trial Skills Workshop, July 1-3, 2024 in Greenville, South Carolina. PD103 is the third part of the Fundamental Advocacy Skills Training Program sponsored by SCCID totaling over 47 hours of comprehensive client representation and advocacy training for new public defenders.

Did you know? About 80-85 percent of all criminal court cases are handled by public defenders.