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

VIDC Live Webcast Series - Free CLE for Certified Attorneys
All agency-sponsored lectures offered via the VIDC Live Webcast Series are eligible for VIDC re-certification credit as well as live CLE credit through the Virginia State Bar.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.
VIDC Video Replay Library - Free OnDemand Re-certification Credits
VIDC Webcasts are available for replay in our OnDemand Training Library.Please note these videos are for VIDC Re-certification purposes ONLY and they do NOT offer CLE credit.VIDC Video Replay LibraryThis 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.
Other Eligible CLE - Free & Discounted
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

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)

Other Eligible CLE - Popular Criminal Defense Trainings
Below is a highlight of the most commonly attended eligible CLE’s regarding criminal defense in Virginia.The events below, as well as all other approved courses eligible for VIDC re-certification credit, are listed on the VIDC Training Calendar.   
Other Eligible CLE - Virginia CLE® Courses
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

CLE Sponsors:  If you are interested in submitting a CLE course for VIDC re-certification credit approval, please contact the Certification Department at Certification@vadefenders.org.

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.