Commonwealth’s Attorneys’ Services Council

Council Meeting
2020-12-02 09:00, 2020-11-04 12:00 - 13:00, 2020-08-12 12:00 - 13:00, 2020-07-29 09:00 - 10:00, 2020-06-03 12:00 - 13:00, 2020-05-06 12:00 - 13:00 (America/New_York) | Conference Call, Conference Call, United States

Executive Program
2020-12-02 - 2020-12-03 | Online, ONLINE
The Executive Program is a training seminar devoted to management issues, with attendance restricted to the 120 elected Commonwealth’s Attorneys and management level attorneys. 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. The VACA annual meeting will be held on Friday, December 4.
For more information, contact Elliott J. Casey at ejcasey@wm.edu or 757-585-4370.
Click here to register for the Executive Program by 5PM December 2, 2020.

Murder Two: Advanced Homicide Prosecution
2020-11-11 - 2020-11-14 | Hotel 24 South, Staunton, VA, United States
A four-day training program for approximately 25 prosecutors on advanced homicide prosecution skills to include Ethics: Discovery, Exculpatory Evidence. The training will examine difficult challenges in homicide cases, including child homicides, multi-defendant cases, no-body and cold cases. This training will also examine advanced issues such as mental health defenses and capital cases. Previous attendance at one of CASC’s Homicide programs is a pre-requisite, unless CASC permission is granted.
Lodging at the Stonewall Jackson Hotel, Staunton (for attendees whose offices are more than twenty-five miles from the venue) and all meals will be provided or reimbursed, but mileage to and from the program will not covered.
For more information, contact Elliott J. Casey at ejcasey@wm.edu or 757-585-4370.
Registration for Murder Two: Advanced Homicide Prosecution is full.

Trial Advocacy Program
2020-11-08 - 2020-11-13 | Fort Magruder Hotel, Williamsburg, VA
The Trial Advocacy Program scheduled for November 8-13, 2020 has been cancelled. The Program will be offered June 13-18, 2021, registration will open in spring of 2021.

The Trial Advocacy Program is an intensive five-day program offered for Commonwealth’s Attorneys and their Assistants at all levels of experience, offering approximately 25 CLE hours. Attendees spend approximately 8 hours at lectures and demonstrations given by prosecutors and physicians covering medical, legal and tactical aspects of the prosecution of child abusers, focusing on abusive head trauma cases. The remaining time is spent in small workshop groups discussing and practicing case analysis, trial strategy, opening statements, direct examination, cross-examination and closing argument in the context of a hypothetical abusive head trauma case. Attendees will be assigned to workshop groups. Wednesday afternoon is free time. Classes are held at the William and Mary Law School and lodging is provided for students whose offices are more than 25 miles from the training venue. Attendance is limited to 40 students. All meals are provided or reimbursed at the state per diem rate. Travel to and from the training is not covered.
ACCEPTANCE IS BY APPLICATION ONLY. Upon completion of the online registration a link to download an application will be emailed to you to be completed and returned to CASC.
For more information, contact Larry Martin at Lamar3@wm.edu

Murder One: Basic Homicide Prosecution
2020-11-08 - 2020-11-11 | Hotel 24 South, Staunton, VA, United States
A four-day training program for approximately 30 prosecutors on essential homicide prosecution skills to include Ethics: Discovery, Exculpatory Evidence. The training will cover all aspects of preparing and trying a successful homicide case from voir dire to closing argument. Emphasis will be on investigations and working with witnesses, evidence gathering and presentation, preparation of expert witnesses and forensics as well as meeting common defenses including alibi, NGRI, misidentifications, causation of death and self-defense.
Lodging at the Stonewall Jackson Hotel, Staunton (for attendees whose offices are more than twenty-five miles from the venue) and all meals, will be provided or reimbursed but mileage to and from the program will not covered.
For more information, contact Elliott J. Casey at ejcasey@wm.edu or 757-585-4370.
Registration for Murder One is full!

Webinar: Cognitive and Implicit Bias
2020-10-22 13:00 - 14:30 | Online, ONLINE
“Bias: What You Don’t Know Can Hurt Others.”
This webinar presented by Jarvis Parsons will delve into both cognitive and implicit bias. Mr. Parsons is the elected District Attorney in Brazos County, Texas. Speaking from a prosecutor’s perspective, Mr. Parsons will discuss several topics such as confirmation bias and how personal perceptions of individuals affect our work and the choices we make. He discusses the importance of prosecutors consistently evaluating how we make decisions in the areas of charging, prosecution and sentencing and will share current research in this area. Mr. Jarvis will also share some of his personal background which lays a foundation for his passion in this area.
Click here to register by 5pm October 21, 2020

Trauma to Trial
2020-10-05 - 2020-10-09 | Hotel 24 South, Staunton, VA, United States
CASC again is offering an intensive 5-day training for 12 prosecutor/law enforcement teams on the topic of investigating and prosecuting adult non-stranger sexual assaults. Learn how to keep your victim on board through trial. Learn how to get the evidence you need to overcome the consent defense. Find out the real truth about false reports. The program is free. Lodging for attendees whose offices are more than twenty-five miles from the training site and parking will be provided and meals will be reimbursed at state per diem rates. Mileage is NOT covered and will be the attendee’s responsibility.
Space is limited to 12 teams. Teams are to be comprised of one prosecutor and one investigator from the same jurisdiction. Since there have been substantial changes to the content of this course, anyone who attended prior to 2014 may re-apply if they wish to attend again.
ACCEPTANCE IS BY APPLICATION ONLY. Upon completion of the online registration a link to download an application will be emailed to both team members to be completed and returned to CASC, NO LATER THAN MAY 22, 2020 to be considered for acceptance into this training.
Registration for Trauma to Trial is now closed.

Sound of Silence (Child Abuse)
2020-09-27 - 2020-10-02 | Hotel 24 South, Staunton, VA, United States
CASC is offering an intensive 5-day training for 10 prosecutor/law enforcement/cps teams on investigating and prosecuting child abuse. This course will cover child disclosure issues, investigation and prosecution strategies, working as an MDT, identifying abusive injuries, vicarious trauma and more. The program is free. Lodging for attendees whose offices are more than twenty-five miles from the training site and parking will be provided, and meals will be reimbursed at state per diem rates. Mileage is NOT covered and will be the attendee’s responsibility.
Space is limited to 10 teams. Teams are to be comprised of one prosecutor, one investigator and one child protective services worker from the same jurisdiction.
ACCEPTANCE IS BY APPLICATION ONLY. Upon completion of the online registration you will receive an emailed confirmation which includes a link to download the application to be completed and returned to CASC.
For more information, contact Nancy Oglesby at noglesby@wm.edu or 757-943-9753.

Council Meeting
2020-09-23 12:00 - 13:00 | Truist Place, 12th Floor, Richmond, VA

Investigation and Prosecution of Gang Cases: An Online Introduction
2020-09-14 12:00 - 2020-09-16 17:00 | Online, ONLINE
Because Gang Busters VIII, a week-long intensive team training for prosecutors and law enforcement, was cancelled due to COVID-19 complications, the Gang Buster Faculty will offer this 15 hour online training. The program will be from noon – 5:00 pm September 14, 15, and 16, 2020 and will be a basic introduction for anyone interested in investigating and prosecuting gang cases and in eventually attending the full week-long Gang Busters training.
Click here to register by 5pm September 11, 2020

Investigation and Prosecution of Gang Cases ("Gang Busters VIII")
2020-09-13 - 2020-09-18 | Williamsburg, VA
This Gang Busters training was CANCELLED. Gang Busters will be offered September 12-17 , 2021. Teams who were accepted for 2020 will be given priority if they re-apply for the September 2021 training..
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. Attendance is limited to 20 teams, each of which consists of a prosecutor and a law enforcement investigator from a given jurisdiction. 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. The training will be held in Williamsburg. This is a five day program. There is no tuition: housing, private rooms, for attendees whose offices are more than twenty-five miles from the training site and all meals are provided or reimbursed. Mileage to and from the training is not covered.
ACCEPTANCE IS BY APPLICATION ONLY. Upon completion of the online registration by both team members, a link to download an application will be emailed to each team member to be completed and returned to CASC.
For more information, contact Larry Martin at Lamar3@wm.edu or 757-253-4612.

Visual Trial
2020-08-10 - 2020-08-13 | William and Mary Law School, Williamsburg, VA
Visual Trial program is an intensive 4-day training for prosecutors focused on using technology in the courtroom. Learn how to use technology in courtroom presentations, including iPads, PowerPoints, and customized trial presentation tools such as crime scene software. Training will include digital management of exhibits and evidence in complicated trials and features hands-on, practical exercises. The program is free and open to all skill levels of Virginia Commonwealth’s Attorneys, their deputies and assistants.The training will be held at the William and Mary Law School with lodging provided for attendees whose offices are more than twenty-five miles from the training site and parking will be provided and meals will be reimbursed at state per diem rates. Mileage is NOT covered and will be the attendee’s responsibility.
For more information, contact Elliott J. Casey at ejcasey@wm.edu or 757-585-4370.
Visual Trial will not be held in 2020.

Annual Summer Conference
2020-07-27 - 2020-07-28 | Online, ONLINE
The VACA 81st Annual Summer Conference has been cancelled. CASC will now offer the training portion of the conference online.

This single-track continuing legal education program offering up to 12.0 MCLE credits is open to all Virginia prosecutors.
Click here to register by 5pm Friday, July 24, 2020
For more information, contact Jane Chambers at jscham@wm.edu or 757-253-4146.

Webinar: Of Eggplants & Umbrellas: The Legal and Investigative Implications of Emojis
2020-07-23 14:00 - 15:30 | Online, ONLINE
This webinar, presented by a former prosecutor, discusses investigative uses of emojis and the legal context of this growing medium, including current case law and implications for practice. The presentation reviews perpetrator themes and online grooming strategies, with illustrations and chat samples from recent cases. Specifically, this presentation will discuss the use of emojis in child exploitation cases and undercover operations, defining their meaning and looking at the legal implications of their use.
Robert J. Peters is the Senior Attorney of the Zero Abuse Project, where he develops and delivers state-of-the-art training and comprehensive technical assistance to prosecutors and child abuse multidisciplinary team members on crimes against children.
Click here to register by 5pm July 22, 2020

Webinar: A Look at Virginia's New Red Flag Gun Laws
2020-07-16 14:00 - 15:30 | Online, ONLINE
Panelists:
Shannon Lockheart – General Counsel Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office
Areshini Pather, Deputy Commonwealth’s Attorney – City of Charlottesville
Kelly Roskam, Senior Director of Law & Policy – Education Fund to Stop Gun Violence
Amanda Tassa – Senior Assistant Commonwealth’s Attorney – City of Alexandria
Session Description:
This webinar will discuss Virginia’s new “red flag” laws that went into effect July1, 2020. Panelists will discuss the history behind the legislation, look at challenges and successes nationwide in states that have passed similar legislation and discuss the new Virginia statutes covering investigation and enforcement.
Click here to register by 5pm July 15, 2020

Webinar: Crisis Communications for Prosecutors’ Offices: Media Relations During and After the Pandemic
2020-07-09 14:00 - 15:30 | Online, ONLINE
Instructor: Mark R. Weaver (special prosecutor in 12 Ohio counties and former Deputy Attorney General of Ohio)
Mr. Weaver is a crisis communications expert with three decades of experience advising clients in 25 states and at the highest levels of national government and major corporations. He counsels public and private sector clients on crisis communications, executive speech coaching, and news media relations. NBC News in Charlotte, North Carolina called Mr. Weaver “one of the nation’s foremost experts in crisis communications.” Prior to founding Communications Counsel, Mr. Weaver was the Deputy Attorney General of Ohio, where he was responsible for crisis management, strategic counseling, and all communications for an office with 1,400 employees.
Session Description:
Facing the news media or an angry public can be nerve-racking even under the best conditions. Now, Virginia prosecutors are called to communicate complex information about the law, public protection, and local government action to panicked citizens. Effective crisis communications are even more important during a global pandemic
This webinar will feature timely, practical advice on how Virginia prosecutors – in the context of criminal, civil, appellate, and juvenile law – can provide current and relevant public safety updates at a time when county residents are deeply afraid. This session will also help prosecutors advise county officials on public communications.
This will be an interactive lecture with simulations that relate to how prosecutors’ offices should deal with the media, especially in a crisis or emergency situation.

Click here to register by 5pm July 8, 2020

Webinar: Traffic Tuesdays - What Are You Implying? Common Issues with Implied Consent
2020-06-30 14:00 - 15:00 | Online, ONLINE
Click here to register by 5pm June 29, 2020

Webinar: Asset Forfeiture 2020 Legal Update
2020-06-23 14:00 - 16:00 | Online, ONLINE
ONLINE FREE WEBINAR
For Prosecutors and Law Enforcement, including LEO and CA Office Administrative Staff
The Virginia Code will have some significant changes on July 1, 2020 regarding Asset Forfeiture for criminal offenses in the Commonwealth of Virginia. During this webinar, the presenters will examine how these changes may affect law enforcement, prosecutors, and forfeiture procedure in Virginia.
The presenters will include:
• Benjamin Garrison, Deputy Commonwealth’s Attorney, Chesterfield
• A.J. Rosenberg, Assistant Commonwealth’s Attorney, Virginia Beach
• Beth Dandridge, Forfeited Asset Sharing Program Coordinator, DCJS
If you have questions email Elliott Casey at ejcasey@wm.edu.
Click here to register by 5pm on June 22, 2020
PIC-3 Law Enforcement Credit Application Pending; No MCLE Credit for Attorneys

Webinar: Investigation, Prosecution, and Treatment of Juvenile Sex Offenders
2020-06-18 14:00 - 15:30 | Online, ONLINE
This webinar is being taught by Victor Veith of the Zero Abuse Project.
In this workshop, students will learn to address juvenile sex offenders at the investigation, prosecution and treatment stages. Analyzing current research and practices; this workshop offers suggestions and guidelines to address the needs of juvenile sex offenders, their victims and society. This workshop also addresses the differing viewpoints concerning the prosecution and treatment of child sex offenders and seeks to bridge the differences and reach a consensus for dealing with this population.
Click here to register by 5pm June 17, 2020

Trial Advocacy Program (MOVED TO NOVEMBER 2020)
2020-06-14 - 2020-06-19 | William and Mary Law School, Williamsburg, VA
Click here for new date

Webinar: Everything You Wanted to Know About Juvenile Court but Were Afraid to Ask
2020-06-04 14:00 - 15:00 | Online, ONLINE
Over the next few weeks, prosecutors are encouraged to send questions to Nancy Oglesby about procedures in juvenile court. This hour will be spent answering some of the difficult challenges that are faced by front-line juvenile court prosecutors.
Please send your questions in advance to noglesby@wm.edu.
Click here to register by 5pm June 3, 2020

Investigation and Prosecution of Intimate Partner Violence ("Guns and Roses") (MOVED TO FEBRUARY 2021)
2020-05-31 - 2020-06-05 | Hotel 24 South, Staunton, VA, United States

Investigation and Prosecution of Drug Cases ("TOP GUN XXVIII")
2020-05-17 - 2020-05-22 | Great Wolf Lodge, Williamsburg, VA
This TOP GUN training has been CANCELLED and TOP GUN will be offered May 23-28, 2021, teams who were accepted for this year will be given acceptance priority if they re-apply for the May 2021 training.
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 28th year! Attendance is limited to 20 teams, each of which consists of a prosecutor and a law enforcement investigator from a given jurisdiction. This program covers the latest developments in the law, the criminal practices used, and the latest illegal drug types and their usage. The training will be held at the Great Wolf Lodge – Williamsburg. This is a five-day program which begins on the afternoon of Sunday, May 17 and ends on Friday, May 22 at noon. There is no tuition: housing, a private hotel room will be provided to attendees whose offices are more than twenty-five miles from the training site, and all meals are either provided or reimbursed. Mileage to and from the program is not covered.
ACCEPTANCE IS BY APPLICATION ONLY. Upon completion of the online registration by both team members a link to download an application will be emailed to each team member to be completed and returned to CASC. COMPLETED APPLICATIONS FROM BOTH THE PROSECUTOR AND THE LAW ENFORCMENT TEAM MEMBERS MUST BE SUBMITTED NO LATER THAN FEBRUARY 24, 2020 TO BE CONSIDERED FOR THIS YEARS CLASS.
For more information, contact Larry Martin at Lamar3@wm.edu or 757-253-4612.

Spring Institute 2020
2020-04-05 - 2020-04-08 | Online, ONLINE
The Spring Institute program agenda is a multi-track continuing legal education program offering up to 16 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 Elliott J. Casey at ejcasey@wm.edu or 757-585-4370.

Council Meeting
2020-04-01 13:00 - 14:00 | VA
