11:00AM
Richmond, VA
Council Members Present
Officers:
Shannon L. Taylor (Henrico County), Chairman,
Bryan L. Porter (Alexandria), Second Vice Chairman
Julia H. Sichol (Westmoreland County), Secretary (Zoom: Approved for remote attendance)
Nathan R. Green (James City County/Williamsburg), Past Chairman (Zoom)
Council District Representatives:
1. Krystyn L. Reid (York County) (Zoom: Approved for remote attendance)
2. Matthew R. Hamel (Chesapeake)
4. Vincent L. Robertson (Sussex County)
6. David L. Ledbetter (Waynesboro)
7. Clarissa T. Berry (Madison County) (Zoom: Approved for remote attendance)
8. Bryan L. Porter (Alexandria)
9. Michael D. Jones (Wythe County) (Zoom: Approved for remote attendance)
10. Amy M. Ashworth (Prince William County) (Zoom: Approved for remote attendance)
11. Steve Descano (Fairfax County) (Zoom: Approved for remote attendance)
Other Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Present
Donald S. Caldwell (Roanoke City)(Zoom)
Jeff Haislip (Fluvanna County)
Meredith D. Adkins (King & Queen County) (Zoom)
Matthew R. Kite (King William County) (Zoom)
Georgette C. Phillips (Isle of Wight) (Zoom)
Ramin Fatehi (Norfolk) (Zoom)
Derek A. Davis (Surry County)
Susan O. Fierro (Prince George County) (Zoom)
Megan L. Clark (Prince Edward County) (Zoom)
R. Bryan Haskins (Pittsylvania County) (Zoom)
John Alexander (Botetourt County) (Zoom)
Heather D. Hovermale (Winchester) (Zoom)
Gerald D. Arrington (Buchanan County) (Zoom)
Christian E. Rehak (Radford) (Zoom)
Stacey T. Davenport (Chesterfield County)
Deputy Commonwealth’s Attorneys Present
Lori DiGiosia (Stafford County) (Zoom)
Kristen Knudsen (Prince George County) (Zoom)
CASC Staff Present
Jane Sherman Chambers
VACA Staff Present
Amanda Howie, Administrator
Call to Order
Ms. Taylor called the meeting to order at 11:04 a.m.
Minutes
The draft minutes from the January 24, 2023, meeting were previously posted and circulated to Council. The minutes were approved as submitted.
Chairman’s Report
None.
Administrator’s Report
Ms. Chambers reviewed the agenda items:
Old Business
CATF Update
Ms. Chambers reviewed the CATF balance sheet reflecting account activity through January 31, 2023.
2023 Spring Institute Update
Ms. Chambers reviewed the latest version of the 2023 Spring Institute agenda which was circulated with the meeting agenda. She reported that both the Marriott and the Sheraton room blocks are full, but she has not received any requests for CASC to find an additional overflow hotel room block. If any offices have not booked hotel rooms yet, she asked that they notify her or Jill Harris as soon as possible.
Registration for Leadership Track at Spring Institute
Ms. Chambers reported that the Leadership Track at Spring Institute has not reached the maximum capacity of 50. The original plan was to open registration to elected Commonwealth’s Attorneys until March 1, then open it up to management-level assistants. Because registration has leveled off, she asked if anyone objected to opening up registration to management-level assistants now. There were no objections raised.
New Business
Proposal for CASC Award for Excellence in DV Law Enforcement
Ms. Chambers circulated a proposal for a new CASC award suggested by staff attorney Nancy Oglesby. She explained the history behind the proposal and the reasons for honoring Steven Reed with this award. Council members were in favor of the award, recognizing the importance of honoring exceptional law enforcement personnel who investigate cases of intimate partner violence.
CASC Committee Appointments
Ms. Chambers circulated a list of CASC committees with the meeting agenda. Ms. Taylor reviewed the list and explained each committee. She advised that she intends to send a letter to the Virginia State Bar standing committee on legal ethics advising them that CASC has a standing committee on prosecutorial ethics that is available to assist them on cases involving Virginia’s prosecutors.
Public Comment
None.
Adjournment
There being no further business before Council, the meeting adjourned at 11:29 a.m. The next regularly scheduled meeting is April 2, 2023, at 1:00 PM at the Waterside Marriott Hotel in Norfolk.