Commonwealth’s Attorneys’ Services Council

Prosecutor Bootcamp: A Comprehensive Training for the New Prosecutor
2023-01-29 - 2023-02-03 | Virginia Beach, Virginia Beach, VA
Prosecutor Bootcamp is a week-long intensive training for the new prosecutor. It will be held in Staunton, Virginia. This program is open to prosecutors with three years or less experience. Specific topics to be covered include trial skills, evidentiary issues, practice in General District and Juvenile & Domestic Relations District Court, work-life balance, and legal writing, among others.
Lodging will be provided for attendees whose offices are more than twenty-five miles from the program venue. Meals will be provided or reimbursed, but mileage to and from the program is not covered.
Once you have registered, you will receive a confirmation email with further details. This training is limited to 30 students who will be accepted on a first come, first served basis, with a preference for one attendee per jurisdiction. Multiple attendees from the same jurisdiction will be considered if space is available.
Prosecutor Bootcamp will be held twice in 2023, January 29 – February 3 and August 20 – 25. Please use the link below to register for the date of your choice, you may only register for one of the programs.
For more information, contact Nancy Oglesby at noglesby@wm.edu
Registration for January 29 – February 3, 2023 is closed. Please contact Nancy Oglesby at noglesby@wm.edu to be added the waitlist.
Click here to register for August 20 – 25, 2023

Council Meeting
2023-01-24 11:00, 2022-11-09 12:00, 2022-09-21 12:00 (America/New_York) | –, Richmond, VA

Executive Program
2022-11-30 - 2022-12-02 | Virginia Beach, Virginia Beach, VA
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. The VACA annual meeting will be held on Friday, December 2.
For more information, contact Elliott J. Casey at ejcasey@wm.edu or 757-585-4370.
Click here to register.

Murder Two: Advanced Homicide Prosecution
2022-11-16 - 2022-11-19 | Virginia Beach, Virginia Beach, VA
A four-day training program for approximately 30 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 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 be covered.
For more information, contact Jill Harris at jcharris@wm.edu.
Click here to register

Murder One: Basic Homicide Prosecution
2022-11-13 - 2022-11-16 | Virginia Beach, Virginia Beach, VA
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 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 be covered.
For more information, contact Jill Harris at jcharris@wm.edu.

Trauma to Trial
2022-10-02 - 2022-10-07 | Virginia Beach, Virginia Beach, VA
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 2017 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.

Advanced DUI - Williamsburg
2022-09-26 - 2022-09-28 | Williamsburg, VA
Advanced DUI – Topics to be covered at this intensive training include Investigative Stops, Field Sobriety Tests and the PBT, Breath and Blood Testing Issues, issues in Manslaughter cases, charging decisions, checkpoints and DMV transcripts.. The latest version of the Virginia DUI Manual will be distributed to participants. Much like our TOP GUN Program, this training program utilizes a team-training format requiring a team consisting of a prosecutor and a law enforcement officer from the same jurisdiction.
This training will be limited to 36 resident attendees and 10 commuting attendees. Lodging and meals will be covered for those who reside more than twenty-five (25) miles from the training site. Lunches will be provided for commuting attendees. No mileage reimbursement will be provided.
Preference is given to teams consisting of an officer and a prosecutor from the same jurisdiction. Registration does not guarantee acceptance to the program – confirmation of selection for the program will be sent out by August 15, 2022. Details on the training facility and program will be provided in the confirmation letter.
This program is for Virginia prosecutors and law enforcement officers only.
For more information, contact Paula Bruns at pmbruns@wm.edu or 757-775-2799.
Click here to register for Advanced DUI.

Sound of Silence (Child Abuse)
2022-09-25 - 2022-09-30 | Virginia Beach, Virginia Beach, VA
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.

DUID Training for Law Enforcement and Prosecutors
2022-09-19, 2022-08-24, 2022-08-08, 2022-07-18, 2022-06-22
These one (1) day programs include everything you need to know about investigating and prosecuting drug impaired driving offenses, including cannabis impaired driving. Each program will begin at 8:00 a.m. and conclude at 4:30 p.m. These training programs are open to Virginia prosecutors and law enforcement officers. Lunch and snacks will be provided on site during each program. MCLE and PIC-3 credits are pending.
For more information, contact Paula Bruns at pmbruns@wm.edu.
DUID will be offered six times at the following locations. To register, please click on link below for your preferred date and location.
May 9, 2022 – Harrisonburg, Click Here to Register
June 22, 2022 – Tidewater (Chesapeake), Click Here to Register
July 18, 2022 – Lynchburg, Click Here to Register
August 8, 2022 – Northern Virginia (Chantilly), Click Here to Register
August 24, 2022 – Richmond, Click Here to Register
September 19, 2022 – Bristol, Click Here to Register
For more information, contact Paula Bruns at pmbruns@wm.edu.

Investigation and Prosecution of Gang Cases ("Gang Busters VIII")
2022-09-11 - 2022-09-16 | 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. 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.
This program is open to Virginia prosecutors and law enforcement.
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. Deadline to apply and submit applications is July 15, 2022.
For more information, contact Jill Harris at jcharris@wm.edu.

Council Meeting
2022-08-07 08:30, 2022-08-04 15:00 | –, Virginia Beach, VA

Annual Summer Conference
2022-08-04 - 2022-08-07 | –, Virginia Beach, VA
The VACA 83nd Annual Summer Conference will be held August 4 – August 7, 2022 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.
Click here to register

For more information, contact Jill Harris at jcharris@wm.edu.

Fury Road: Investigating and Prosecuting Impaired Fatal Crashes
2022-06-29 - 2022-06-30 | Virginia Beach, Virginia Beach, VA
This year, CASC is pleased to offer three (3) options:
Advanced DUI – Two Day Course
Fury Road: Investigating and Prosecuting Impaired Fatal Crashes – Two Day Course
Attend both Programs Consecutively over Four Days
***Note – if you are interested in the lectures regarding blood draw issues, they will be discussed solely in Advanced DUI – they will not be repeated in Fury Road.
Fury Road – This intensive two-day training will cover crash scene evidence collection, crash reconstruction, charging decisions, dealing with legal defenses, case scenarios, victim outreach, and more! The latest version of the Virginia DUI Manual will be distributed to participants. This training also utilizes a team-training format requiring a team consisting of a prosecutor and a law enforcement officer from the same jurisdiction.
This program is limited to approximately 20 resident attendees and 10 commuting attendees. We may be able to increase the number of attendees. Lodging will be covered for those who reside more than twenty-five (25) miles from the training site. Students will be responsible for their own meals – details to follow for any change in providing meals. No mileage reimbursement will be provided.
Preference is given to teams including a prosecutor and a law enforcement officer who is either a Virginia State Trooper, a member of a local jurisdiction’s crash response team, or regularly involved in investigating fatal motor vehicle crashes. Registration does not guarantee acceptance to the program – confirmation of selection for the program will be sent out by May 30, 2022. Details on the training facility, program and meal updates will be provided in the confirmation letter and subsequent course information by email.
This program is for Virginia prosecutors and law enforcement officers only.
For more information, contact Paula Bruns at pmbruns@wm.edu.
Click here to register for Fury Road.

Click here to register for Advanced DUI.

Advanced DUI - Staunton
2022-06-27 - 2022-06-28 | Virginia Beach, Virginia Beach, VA
This year, CASC is pleased to offer three (3) options:
Advanced DUI – Two Day Course
Fury Road: Investigating and Prosecuting Impaired Fatal Crashes – Two Day Course
Attend both Programs Consecutively over Four Days
***Note – if you are interested in the lectures regarding blood draw issues, they will be discussed solely in Advanced DUI – they will not be repeated in Fury Road.
Advanced DUI – Topics to be covered at this intensive training include Investigative Stops, Checkpoints and Blood Testing Issues. The latest version of the Virginia DUI Manual will be distributed to participants. Much like our TOP GUN Program, this training program utilizes a team-training format requiring a team consisting of a prosecutor and a law enforcement officer from the same jurisdiction.
This training will be limited to 36 resident attendees and 10 commuting attendees. Lodging and meals will be covered for those who reside more than twenty-five (25) miles from the training site. Lunches will be provided for commuting attendees. No mileage reimbursement will be provided.
Preference is given to teams consisting of an officer and a prosecutor from the same jurisdiction. Registration does not guarantee acceptance to the program – confirmation of selection for the program will be sent out by May 30, 2022. Details on the training facility and program will be provided in the confirmation letter.
This program is for Virginia prosecutors and law enforcement officers only.
For more information, contact Paula Bruns at pmbruns@wm.edu or 757-775-2799.
Click here to register for Advanced DUI.

Click here to register for Fury Road.

Trial Advocacy Program
2022-06-12 - 2022-06-17 | Williamsburg, VA
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. Attendance is limited to 40 students. Lodging is provided and 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. Applications must be submitted by March 14, 2022 to be considered.
For more information, contact Jill Harris at jcharris@wm.edu

Council Meeting
2022-06-08 12:00, 2022-05-04 12:00, 2022-04-10 13:00 | Richmond, VA

Investigation and Prosecution of Drug Cases ("TOP GUN XXVIII")
2022-05-22 - 2022-05-27 | 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 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 in Williamsburg. This is a five-day program which begins on the afternoon of Sunday, May 22 and ends on Friday, May 27 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.
NOTE: Teams who were accepted for the 2020 TOP GUN which was cancelled will be given priority if they re-apply for 2022 TOP GUN.
ACCEPTANCE IS BY APPLICATION ONLY. Upon completion of the online registration a link to download an application will be emailed to each team member to be completed and returned to CASC. Applications must be submitted by February 25, 2022 to be considered.
For more information, contact Elliott Casey at ejcasey@wm.edu

DUID Training for Law Enforcement and Prosecutors
2022-05-09
These one (1) day programs include everything you need to know about investigating and prosecuting drug impaired driving offenses, including cannabis impaired driving. Each program will begin at 8:00 a.m. and conclude at 4:30 p.m. These training programs are open to Virginia prosecutors and law enforcement officers. Lunch and snacks will be provided on site during each program. MCLE and PIC-3 credits are pending.
For more information, contact Paula Bruns at pmbruns@wm.edu.
DUID will be offered six times at the following locations. To register, please click on link below for your preferred date and location.
May 9, 2022 – Harrisonburg, Click Here to Register
June 22, 2022 – Tidewater (Chesapeake), Click Here to Register
July 18, 2022 – Lynchburg, Click Here to Register
August 8, 2022 – Northern Virginia (Chantilly), Click Here to Register
August 24, 2022 – Richmond, Click Here to Register
September 19, 2022 – Bristol, Click Here to Register

Rolling Stoned: DRE for Prosecutors
2022-04-25 - 2022-04-26 | Richmond, VA
This program will cover everything you need to know about the Drug Recognition Expert (DRE) program, including an introduction to the DRE evaluation, an in-depth discussion of the seven (7) drug categories, how to qualify your DRE as an expert witness, and more! This program will begin with registration on April 25 from 9:00 – 10:00 a.m. and will conclude on April 26 at 4:30 p.m. Lodging will be provided for those traveling more than 25 miles. Lunch will be provided on April 25, with breakfast and lunch being provided on April 26.
This training is open to Virginia prosecutors only. MCLE credits are pending.

For information contact Paula Bruns at pmbruns@wm.edu.

Zoom Limited Simulcast - 2022 Spring Institute
2022-04-10 - 2022-04-13 | Online, ONLINE
CASC is offering a limited simulcast of the 2022 Spring Institute. We will be simulcasting ONLY the General Sessions and Track A.
Any Virginia prosecutor may attend the 2022 Spring Institute in person or via the Zoom limited simulcast. You may not register for both. If you already have registered to attend the 2022 Spring Institute and you would like to switch to the limited Zoom simulcast option, you may do so, but your in-person registration will be cancelled. This decision will be final and you will not be able to change.
CASC needs to know well in advance how many people will attend Spring Institute online or in-person. Registration for the limited Zoom simulcast option will be open until Friday, March 4 at 5:00 p.m.

Registration is closed.
For more information, contact Jill Harris at jcharris@wm.edu

Spring Institute 2022
2022-04-10 - 2022-04-13 | Richmond, 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.
