Commonwealth’s Attorneys’ Services Council

I.M.P.A.C.T., Training for the Juvenile & Domestic Relations Prosecutor: Initiating Meaningful Prosecution at Critical Times
2026-02-09 - 2026-02-13 | –, Staunton
IMPACT is an intensive training for the J&DR prosecutor. The program focuses on juvenile court practice & procedure and dealing with juvenile delinquency. Specific topics to be covered include juvenile brain development, juvenile trials & sentencing options, DJJ length of stay guidelines, substance abuse and juveniles, transfer/certification issues, juvenile sex-offenders and competency issues.
The program will be held in Staunton. Lodging will be provided for attendees whose offices are more than twenty-five miles from the training venue. Meals will be provided or reimbursed at state per diem rate, but mileage to and from the program is not covered.
Registration closes on December 2 and by December 19 you will be notified if you are in the program or have been placed on the waitlist. Students will be accepted on a first come, first served basis, with preference for one attendee per jurisdiction. Multiple attendees from the same jurisdiction will be considered if space is available.
For more information, contact Nancy Oglesby at noglesby@wm.edu.
Click here to register.

Advanced DUI or Advanced DUI & DUID Training for Law Enforcement and Prosecutors - Williamsburg
2026-03-02 - 2026-03-06 | –, Williamsburg, VA
The Advanced DUI & DUID Training Program is an intensive course designed specifically for Virginia prosecutors and law enforcement officers.
The Advanced DUI program will cover a range of critical topics, including investigative stops, Standard Field Sobriety Tests (SFST), Preliminary Breath Testing (PBT), breath and blood testing issues, DUI checkpoints, use of DMV transcripts and VA code sections to prove notice, license suspensions and more. This training also addresses key issues in manslaughter cases and provides opportunities to analyze factual scenarios dealing with impaired driving.
The DUID program topics include illegal drugs, marijuana, prescription drugs, over-the-counter drugs and other impairing substances. The training includes a range of topics including the drug categories and their spectrum of potential physiological responses, the importance of documenting officer observations in the field, forensic toxicology, expert witnesses, blood draws, response to defense arguments, mock trial exercises and more.
These trainings follow a team-based format, ideally requiring a team consisting of prosecutor(s) and law enforcement officer(s) from the same jurisdiction. If you are not able to attend as a team, individuals are welcome to register as well.
EXPENSES:
There are no registration fees
Participants will receive the latest edition of the Virginia DUI Manual, at no charge. Participants will be provided a training binder at no additional charge – each participant will elect a digital or printed training binder at registration.
Lodging and meals will be provided for participants who reside more than 25 miles from the training site – Per diem is provided for each day of the conference for meals which are not provided during the conference day. *****CASC will make all attendee lodging reservations and pay the bill for all attendees at the end of the training – please do NOT make your own hotel reservations. Attendees will be responsible for check-in procedures for their own incidentals.
Lunch will be provided for commuting attendees.
Please note CASC cannot pay mileage or tolls.
Registration does not guarantee acceptance into the program. Confirmation of selection will be sent by email by February 2, 2026.
Please contact Paula Bruns at pmbruns@wm.edu or 757-775-2799 with any questions.
Participants can register for the full training week to include Advanced DUI and DUID or can register for Advanced DUI only:
Click here to register for Advanced DUI & DUID – March 2-6, 2026 (Monday–Friday)
OR
Click here to register for Advanced DUI only – March 2-5, 2026 (Monday–Thursday)

Red Flag 2026: Ring of Fire: Arson Prosecutions Program
2026-03-09 - 2026-03-13 | –, Williamsburg, VA
CASC’s Arson Investigation & Prosecution program is focused on all aspects of arson cases, including forensics, expert testimony, and legal aspects, and is focused on arson as a tool of fraud. This program combines prosecutors, Virginia State Police/BCI investigators, insurance company fraud investigators, and Virginia law enforcement investigators for a week of team training which includes ATF arson specialists and a “live burn” where students will witness and then examine a crime scene.
Lodging will be provided for attendees whose office is twenty-five miles (25) or more from the training venue. Meals for government employees will be reimbursed at state per diem rate. Mileage is NOT covered and will be the attendee’s responsibility. The program begins at noon on Monday, March 9, and ends at noon on Friday, March 13, 2026.
This program is a rotating program with other topics involving insurance fraud. Some, but not all, sessions will be repeated from previous “Red Flag” insurance fraud trainings. Previous attendees of other “Red Flag” insurance fraud programs (such as financial investigations and elder fraud) are welcome to attend.
For more information, contact Elliott Casey at ejcasey@wm.edu or 757-585-4370
Click here to register.

Spring Institute 2026
2026-04-12 - 2026-04-15 | –, Norfolk, VA
The Spring Institute program agenda is a multi-track continuing legal education program offering up to 18 hours of live MCLE credits, emphasizing ethics, recent legislative enactments, recent judicial decisions, current developments in criminal law. Attendance is open to all Virginia prosecutors.
For more information, contact Jill Harris at jcharris@wm.edu
Click here to register for Spring Institute (in person).
Click here to register for the Leadership track on Tue., April 14 (9 am-noon) @ Spring Institute.
Click here to register for Limited Simulcast of Spring Institute (General Sessions and Track A).

Investigation and Prosecution of Drug Cases - "TOP GUN XXXII"
2026-05-17 - 2026-05-22 | –, Williamsburg, VA
TOP GUN is an intensive, workshop-style, interactive training course on the prosecution of drug cases, one of CASC’s longest running programs having been offered since 1992, now in its 32nd year! Attendance is limited to 20 teams, consisting of a prosecutor and a law enforcement investigator from the same jurisdiction. This program covers the latest developments in the law, the criminal practices used, and the latest illegal drug types and their usage.
Held in Williamsburg, VA, this five-day training program begins Sunday, May 17, 2026, at 1:00 pm and ends Friday, May 22, 2026, at noon.
There is no tuition. Lodging will be provided if your office is more than twenty-five miles from the training site. Breakfast and lunch will be provided to attendees. Mileage to and from the program is not covered.
ACCEPTANCE IS BY APPLICATION ONLY. Upon completion of the online registration a link to download the application will be emailed to each team member who registers. Completed emails must be returned by February 21, 2026.
For more information, contact Jason Kowalski at jmkowalski@wm.edu
Click here to register.

Rolling Stoned: DRE for Prosecutors
2026-05-18 - 2026-05-19 | –, Richmond, VA
Prosecutors will be involved in this in-depth training to educate on how Drug Recognition Experts (DREs) can be important in their DUI and DUI-D cases. This training provides detailed information about the DRE’s expertise, types of evidence the DRE can provide roadside, during trial and in consultation for another law enforcement officer’s case, introduction to the DRE evaluation, DRE report, an in-depth discussion of the drug categories, how to qualify your DRE as an expert witness, DRE during trial and more.
This training is for Virginia prosecutors. Certified DRE(s) from the same jurisdiction are also invited to register and join the training. If a prosecutor has a DRE in a nearby jurisdiction they consult with, or may call as a witness, these DREs will also be admitted. This training will include information for relevant questions to be asked to the DRE and preparation for trial.
This training is not a substitute for the DRE Program which law enforcement officers are required to attend in order to become Drug Recognition Experts.
The training is in Richmond on Monday, May 18, 2026 at 10:00 am to Tuesday, May 19, 2026 at 4:00 pm.
Lunch will be provided to all students. Lodging is provided to students whose office is more than 25 miles from the training venue. Those overnight attendees are eligible for reimbursement for meals not provided during the training. Reimbursement is made following CASC policy. Mileage will not be reimbursed.
Additional information will be sent to you by email to the email address you entered during registration.
For information contact Paula Bruns at pmbruns@wm.edu.
Click here to register.

Trial Advocacy Program 2026
2026-06-07 - 2026-06-12 | –, Williamsburg, VA
Trial Ad is an intensive five-day training program. This program begins on the afternoon of Sunday, June 7, 2026, and ends on Friday, June 12, 2026, at 1:00 PM. Thursday afternoon is free time.
The program offers approximately 18 CLE hours. Students attend lectures and demonstrations given by prosecutors and physicians covering medical, legal, and tactical aspects of the prosecution of a child abuse case, focusing on abusive head trauma. Attendees will be assigned to workshop groups for intensive small group learning and practical learning purposes. Video feedback of student performances will be given by faculty. Professional actors play the roles of witnesses for student cross examination skills. Attendance is limited to 35 students. Attendance at all sessions is mandatory.
ACCEPTANCE IS BY APPLICATION ONLY. Upon completion of the online registration, a link to download an application will be emailed to each applicant and is to be completed and returned to CASC. Applications are due by COB on April 1, 2026. Those accepted will be notified no later than April 21, 2026.
There is no tuition. A private hotel room will be provided to attendees whose offices are more than twenty-five miles from the training site. Breakfast and lunch will be provided each day. Mileage to and from the program is not covered. Parking is free.
For more information, contact Jill Harris at jcharris@wm.edu
Click here to register.

Head Case: Anatomy of a Bad Explanation - Investigating and Prosecuting Abusive Head Trauma
2026-06-14 - 2026-06-17 | –, Staunton
This team-based, three-day training is designed for prosecutors, law enforcement, and child protective services working together as an MDT in Abusive Head Trauma cases. The course takes teams from early investigative decisions through charging and trial, with a focus on AHT medical science in plain language, effective use of pediatric abuse experts, and effective analysis of medical records, autopsy findings, timelines, and differential diagnoses. Participants learn how to assess case strength early, identify gaps, anticipate and counter defense theories, and present a clear, defensible narrative for court, while addressing the ethical and practical challenges unique to catastrophic injury and child death cases.
Space is limited to 10 teams comprised of one prosecutor, one investigator and one child protective services personnel from the same jurisdiction.
All team members must register and submit an application to be considered. Once registered, your confirmation email will contain the application, which is due by March 13, 2026. ACCEPTANCE IS BY APPLICATION ONLY. Accepted teams will be notified by March 30.
The program is free. Breakfast, lunch, and parking are also free. Lodging is provided for attendees whose offices are twenty-five miles or more from the training site. Mileage is NOT covered and will be the attendee’s responsibility
For more information, contact Nancy Oglesby at noglesby@wm.edu.
Click here to register.

Annual Summer Conference 2026
2026-07-30 - 2026-08-02 | –, Virginia Beach, VA
The VACA 87th Annual Summer Conference will be held July 30 – August 2, 2026, at the Marriott Virginia Beach Oceanfront.

This single-track continuing legal education program offering approximately 12.0 MCLE credits is open to all Virginia prosecutors.
For more information, contact Jill Harris at jcharris@wm.edu.
Registration opens in May 2026.

Investigation and Prosecution of Gang Cases ("Gang Busters XII")
2026-09-13 - 2026-09-18 | –, Williamsburg, VA
Gang Busters is an intensive, workshop-style, interactive training course on the prosecution of gang cases, similar to TOP GUN one of CASC’s longest running programs. This program covers the latest developments in the law, the criminal practices used, an exercise in qualifying as a gang expert and the latest developments in gang investigation and prosecution.
This five-day training will be held in Williamsburg and is open to Virginia prosecutors and law enforcement. Attendance is limited to 20 teams, each of which consists of a prosecutor and a law enforcement investigator from a given jurisdiction. Attendance at all sessions of the program is mandatory.
ACCEPTANCE IS BY APPLICATION ONLY. Upon completion of the online registration, you will receive a confirmation email containing a link to the application. Complete and return the application to Jill Harris at jcharris@wm.edu by Monday, May 31, 2026. Acceptance decisions will be emailed no later than June 30, 2026.
Lodging is provided for attendees whose office is 25 miles or more from the training venue. Breakfast and lunch are provided. Mileage will not be reimbursed.
For more information, contact Jill Harris at jcharris@wm.edu.
Click here to register.

Executive Program 2026
2026-12-02 - 2026-12-04 | –, Harrisonburg
The Executive Program is a training seminar devoted to management issues, with attendance restricted to the 120 elected Commonwealth’s Attorneys and Chief Deputies. The program addresses leadership skills, office management, case management, employment practices and personnel issues, police relations, press and public relations and other topics important to prosecutors in leadership positions.
For more information, contact Elliott J. Casey at ejcasey@wm.edu or 757-585-4370.
Registration will open in September 2026.
