Commonwealth’s Attorneys’ Services Council

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.
