Attorney Re-Certification
Overview
Court-Appointed Counsel Certification expires after two (2) years. Virginia Indigent Defense Commission (VIDC) approved MCLE courses completed within the past two (2) years can be used towards Re-Certification. Attorneys must complete a Re-Certification Application to become re-certified.
Re-Certification Requirements
- Misdemeanor & Felony requires 8 hours of approved CLE credit
- Two (2) of the hours mentioned above shall cover the representation of individuals with behavioral or mental health disorders and individuals with intellectual or developmental disabilities as defined in § 37.2-100
- Juvenile requires the previously mentioned 8 hours + 4 hours of approved CLE on representing juveniles (12 hours total)
See Statutory Authority or Frequently Asked Questions for more details
Effective July 1, 2021: The number of Misdemeanor/Felony MCLE-approved continuing legal education hours required for initial and renewed Court-Appointed Counsel Certification will increase from six (6) hours to eight (8) hours, two (2) of which shall cover the representation of individuals with behavioral or mental health disorders and individuals with intellectual or developmental disabilities as defined in § 37.2-100.
Approved CLE Courses
- See also the Previously Approved Course List to check if you have completed an eligible course in the past two (2) years.
Registration details are emailed to all VIDC certified court-appointed attorneys and Public Defenders.
View Training Calendar
*If you have not received these communications, please check your spam folder or confirm that your email is up-to-date in our Attorney Certification System (ACeS). If you need to update your contact information, please contact Certification@vadefenders.org.
Please note these videos are for VIDC Re-certification purposes ONLY and they do NOT offer CLE credit.
VIDC Video Replay Library
This library is password protected. The password is emailed to all certified court-appointed attorneys upon initial certification. It is also continuously included in the on-going VIDC Webcast Series registration emails sent to all certified attorneys with a valid email address on file. Please check your records prior to contacting the Certification Department for the login credentials.
Leroy Rountree Hassell, Sr. Indigent Criminal Defense Seminar
Date: May 6, 2022
Sponsor: Virginia State Bar
Re-Certification Type: Misdemeanor/Felony
Cost: Free for Court Appointed Attorneys and Public Defenders
Training Information/ Registration
Perfecting and Preserving Criminal Appeals to the Court of Appeals of Virginia and the Supreme Court of Virginia
On-demand Online Seminar (*viewable through 6/30/2022)
Sponsor: Virginia CLE
Re-certification Type: Misdemeanor/Felony
Cost: Free *with coupon code “VAAppeal“ (normal price $149)
Training Information/ Registration
Introduction to Sentencing Guidelines
Date: Various dates & locations – check website linked below
Sponsor: Virginia Criminal Sentencing Commission
Re-certification Type: Misdemeanor/Felony
Training Information/ Registration
Fee Waiver Application (for Court Appointed Attorneys)
The events below, as well as all other approved courses eligible for VIDC re-certification credit, are listed on the VIDC Training Calendar.
Virginia CLE®
Virginia CLE® is the educational arm of the Virginia Law Foundation, which is an independent, IRS 501(c)3 charitable organization. They are the leading provider of continuing education to the Virginia legal community. A dedicated listing of VIDC Re-certification eligible courses is offered on their website.
See all approved courses at VACLE.org – VIDC Re-certification Page
Upcoming Approved CLE Courses
CLE Reporting Note
VIDC is a separate entity from the Virginia State Bar and does NOT have access to attorney CLE records. Therefore, it is the certified attorney's responsibility to submit completed courses via a re-certification application.