Listed in the Martindale-Hubbell® Bar Register of Pre-Eminent Lawyers

     Welcome to Jon Katz, P.C.'s Criminal Defense section, led by partner Jon Katz, who has been fighting for criminal defendants since 1991. Jon has defended over 1500 criminal defendants, and has led over one hundred criminal trials to conclusion. (For samples of our criminal trial work, click here). Jon is driven to win, puts our clients ahead of money, and is ever-passionate for our clients and their causes. Jon personally defends every one of our criminal defense clients. The highly regarded Martindale-Hubbell legal directory has given Jon, a rating indicating "very high to preeminent legal ability and very high ethical standards as established by confidential opinions from members of the Bar." 

WHAT TYPES OF CRIMINAL CASES DOES Jon Katz, P.C. HANDLE?

   We handle all criminal defense cases at all stages, from criminal investigations, to advice to individuals and businesses, to trials, to appeals, to habeas corpus, to post conviction appeals. Our criminal defense work includes the following: 

-FELONIES AND MISDEMEANORS IN STATE AND FEDERAL COURTS (TRIALS AND APPEALS) 

-COURTS MARTIAL/MILITARY PROSECUTIONS

FOR MORE ON OUR CRIMINAL DEFENSE WORK, 

PLEASE CLICK HERE

Dealing With the Police (see our article on DWI /DUI Defense) (2000)

Driving While Intoxicated Defense (2000)

Drug Law Questions and Answers (2004- ) - Partner Jon Katz's drug law analyses and views in          Overgrow.com's Security & Legal forum. Check back frequently.

Fighting for Justice Through Jury Trials (1997)

How to Pay for a Quality Lawyer (2003)

In Praise of Sunwolf (2004)

Learning From the Trial Lawyer's College (1997)

Jon Katz, P.C. - Lawyers for Sexual Freedom (2002)

Jon Katz, P.C. Wins Dismissal Of Nightclub Prosecution In Maryland's Highest Court (2002)

Jon Katz, P.C.'s Wins for Criminal Defense (Each case is different (e.g., with a different set of facts, law, and adjudicators), and this listing is by no means meant to indicate the results JON KATZ, P.C., will obtain for future clients. Our goal, of course, is for winning advocacy at every turn).

Mounting the Medical Marijuana Defense (October 17, 2003). 

Opposing Embarrassment Sentences (2001)

The Plowshares (2000)

Protecting Immigrants in Criminal Court (2003)

The Sniper Case (2002)

When First Amendment Rights Prevent Criminal Convictions (1995)

Your Rights and the Police 

Jon Katz, P.C. IN THE NEWS AND IN PUBLIC FOR CRIMINAL DEFENDANTS' RIGHTS 

NOTE: Through JON KATZ, P.C.'s in-depth experience talking with the press, we have developed a sense of when to talk on the record, and when not to. We make ourselves freely available to provide legal analysis and views to the press for cases and issues that we are not directly handling. When the press calls about a client, however, our obligation is to our client, which often limits the extent to which we will talk on the record to the press. Just as the pause in a song can be as important as the note that is played, knowing what to say and what not to say to the press can be equally as important. 

Federal News Radio (October 4, 2006) - Providing a criminal defense view on the Mark Foley scandal. 

WETA Radio 90.9 FM (August 2, 2006) - Partner Jon Katz fields questions from Intersection program's host and callers, to make sense of the dizzyingly different approaches to criminal law in the District of Columbia, Maryland, Virginia, and the federal courts.

Free Speech Radio News (June 28, 2006) - Partner Jon Katz supports the New York Times's right to report on the SWIFT program without threat of prosecution. See the podcast and more in our blog entry.

WMAL Radio - Washington, DC (April 26, 2006). WMAL interviewed Jon Katz about the jury's sentencing deliberations in the Zacarias Moussaoui trial. As detailed in our Justice Blog, Jon affirmed his opposition to the death penalty, particularly here where Mr. Moussaoui is not accused of pulling a trigger or being present at the time a trigger was pulled. Jon underlined that the jury has a monumental task, both technically (tackling a forty-page jury verdict sheet and detailed jury instructions), and practically, with the effect that the verdict will have not only on Mr. Moussaoui's life, but on future prosecutions seeking the death penalty against people who are not found to be the triggerperson or present with the triggerperson. Jon emphasized that the jury must be permitted as many days, weeks, or months that it needs to return a verdict. 

WOCM 98.1 FM (Ocean City, Maryland) (April 20, 2006)- In celebration of the annual 4/20 marijuana legalization events, partner Jon Katz promotes the legalization of marijuana for medical, personal, and industrial use. See here for the station's synopsis. The same evening, Jon speaks on the criminal defense of drug cases at the invitation of the University of Maryland chapter of the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws, after the screening of Busted. 

WJZ TV (Baltimore CBS affiliate) (March 2, 2006) - Partner Jon Katz voices his opposition to Maryland bill criminalizing so-called upskirting and downblousing photography. See the interview here. See Jon's article on the issue here. 

The O'Reilly Factor ( Fox Television News) (January 25, 2006). Partner Jon Katz returns to spar with Bill O'Reilly, this time on whether to dismiss the mistried counts in the criminal prosecution of Professor Sami Al-Arian, who was acquitted by a jury of the most serious charges against him for allegations related to terrorism. Jon emphasized that the jury has already spoken after a multi-million dollar, six-month federal trial where Professor Al-Arian was detained for over three years, presumed innocent every step of the way under the law. It is now time to move on. Jon pointed out that Professor Al-Arian's attorneys successfully argued to the jury that the First Amendment does not permit a conviction based solely on the defendant's views, and that the jury favored Professor Al-Arian 10-2 on all but two mistried counts. This 

ABC 7 News/WJLA - Washington, DC (May 2, 2004). ABC 7 News interviewed Criminal Defense partner Jon Katz on the defense strategy in the Kobe Bryant case, the rape shield law issue, and the approach to winning a rape trial for a defendant. 

France 5 Television (February 10, 2004). Partner Jon Katz was interviewed about the plea bargaining system in the United States for a one-hour program, as France expands the availability of plea bargaining in its own criminal courts. Jon addressed unjust aspects of plea bargaining, including the pressure that innocent criminal defendants sometimes feel to plead guilty to lesser charges or a recommendation of a particular sentence -- especially in the draconian federal prosecution system that penalizes people for going to trial if they are then found guilty -- when the risks look high of being found guilty, anyway, and being sentenced harshly. When a criminal defendant has competent counsel, It is generally wise to plead not guilty when the sentence is unlikely to be more adverse whether the defendant is found guilty through a trial or through a guilty plea. When the criminal defense lawyer recommends a guilty plea to a client, it must be with the intent of reducing harm, and must come from a position of strength.  

Univision Television News, Channel 30 (October 14 2003). Univision television news interviewed 

partner Jay Marks about the commencement of the sniper trial against John Allen Muhammad in Virginia Beach, Virginia. Univision, which is the Washington area's primary Spanish language television station, repeatedly turns to Jay for legal commentary on topics running from immigration law to criminal law to foreign affairs and individual rights. Jay is fully fluent in Spanish, and has been providing broadcast legal commentary for many years. On this October 14 interview date, both of Jon Katz, P.C.'s partners provided broadcast interviews on the sniper case (see next). 

WMAL Radio - Washington, DC (October 14, 2003). WMAL's Charlie Warren Show interviewed Jon Katz at length about the commencement of the sniper trial against John Allen Muhammad. Jon's points included: (1)The sniper suspects likely will not get a fair trial because of al the months of intensive and extensive pretrial news coverage; therefore, the alternative is to seek the least unfair trial possible. (2) Suspect John Malvo is taking a big risk by pleading insanity; if he is found insane he may spend the rest of his life incarcerated in a mental hospital; if he is found sane, he will face substantial exposure to the death penalty. (3) The jury selection stage is critical not only for increasing the fairness of the selected jury, but also to provide the defense the opportunity to start trying to persuade the jury towards a favorable verdict. Fortunately, Virginia permits lawyers to question potential jurors directly, whereas this is not required and usually not permitted in the neighboring courts in Maryland and Washington, DC, nor in the federal courts, where the lawyers must submit written questions to the jury. 

WMAL Radio - Washington, DC (October 1, 2003). WMAL interviewed Jon Katz, opposite a doctor from the federal Office of National Drug Policy, about Maryland's newly effective law that caps marijuana possession penalties at $100 upon proof that it was for medical necessity.

Bill O'Reilly's Radio Factor (August 14, 2003). Partner Jon Katz appeared in his role as a Criminal Defense and First Amendment lawyer to discuss the federal government's new wave of obscenity prosecutions, including the current prosecution against Rob Black and Extreme Associates in Pittsburgh for distributing videos that apparently include not only explicit sex, but also scenes involving rape and other violence. Jon insisted that no matter how abhorrent and disgusting the material may or may not be, it is protected by the First Amendment. It is disingenuous to bring such prosecutions without amending the First Amendment, and probably very few Americans want to amend the First Amendment. Jon Katz insisted that the First Amendment provides widespread protection of expression. Allowing obscenity prosecutions chills expression that even many people want to experience; even Allen Ginsberg's masterful poem Howl suffered an obscenity prosecution (with Howl ultimately prevailing). 

-November 11, 2002- Live. Fox News brought back partner Jon Katz to discuss additional aspects of the sniper case. The interviewer focused Jon and a former prosecutor on the events following John Malvo's seven-hour discussion with law enforcement personnel, which included alleged confessions that he committed some of the sniper shootings. Jon confirmed that Mr. Malvo's statements from this discussion cannot be presented to the jury without proof that he lawfully waived his Constitutional right to remain silent. The authorities were obligated to advise Mr. Malvo that he had the right to remain silent and the right to have an attorney present; the police had the obligation to cease all questioning immediately upon Mr. Malvo's choosing to remain silent or to have an attorney present. Unfortunately, Mr. Malvo's statements will not be thrown out of court merely if his guardian or lawyer told the police not to speak with him; those words had to come from Mr. Malvo's own mouth or from his own silence. Mr. Malvo's statements cannot be used against his co-defendant John Muhammed. Mr. Malvo will not likely testify against Mr. Muhammed without assurances that he will not receive a death sentence in any court. A death sentence  is possible without proving that the defendant pulled the trigger, at least if the jury decides beyond a reasonable doubt that the defendant was engaged in an act of terrorism or a continuing criminal enterprise. Jon asserted that Virginia's definition of an act of terrorism is too overbroad to be deemed Constitutional.

-November 3, 2002- Live. Fox News's Page Hopkins asked partner Jon Katz to assume the role of sniper suspect John Malvo's attorney. Jon focused on the importance of Mr. Malvo's distancing himself as far as possible from the killings. Mr. Malvo's defense team should show how isolated he was in the United States, perhaps knowing only his co-defendant John Muhammed, and fearful of deportation if in the United States in violation of the immigration laws. Under that posture, Mr. Malvo would have been afraid to call the police even about any killings he knew to have been caused by Mr. Muhammed. 

Univision Television News, Channel 30 (October 30, 2002). Spanish-language Univision interviewed partner Jay Marks for legal analysis on the Washington-area sniper case. Click here for further information on Jay Marks's news appearances. 

CTV (Canadian Television) (October 25, 2002). Canadian national television news interviewed partner Jon Katz and a criminal law professor about prosecutors' moves against the recently arrested suspects in the Washington-area sniper case. Jon said that information publicly available at that time did not show that a conviction was a slam dunk. Thus far, reports showed the two suspects being found in a car with a weapon used in most of the murders, and a hole that could have been used for shooting, but had not ruled out that only one of the two occupants was involved with the shootings, nor that the suspects were never in the car during the shootings. Jon emphasized that a juror's finding of reasonable doubt of guilt prevents a conviction.  

ADDITIONAL NEWS APPEARANCES

CNN Radio (April 17, 2002, Live). Partner Jon Katz appeared as president of the Free Speech Coalition of the District of Columbia, Maryland and Virginia  to champion the First Amendment's vindication in Aschcroft  v. Free Speech Coalition, et al. Appearing opposite Jon was Miriam Moore, of the Family Research Center.

TECH TV (Also broadcast on CNN Television's affiliates) (April 16, 2002). Partner Jon Katz appeared as a representative of the Free Speech Coalition to discuss the First Amendment benefits of  Aschcroft  v. Free Speech Coalition, et al. View a video clip of the program here. 

Univision Television News, Channel 30 (2000). Interview of partner Jon Katz about penalties for driving on a suspended license (2000).

Legally Speaking/Legalmente Hablando  Jon Katz, P.C.'s former weekly radio show (1998-2000) addressed numerous issues for protecting the rights of the accused . Click here.

Washington Examiner (June 7, 2005). "Ruling could have 'chilling effect.'" After the Supreme Court permitted federal prosecutions of medical marijuana in states that allow medical marijuana,  the Washington Examiner covered partner Jon Katz's views: "John Katz, a Silver Spring lawyer who defends people facing marijuana charges, said the Maryland [medical marijuana sentencing] bill does not go far enough to defend sick users. 'It only deals with sentencing after you've already been convicted'"

Daily Progress (Charlottesville, VA) (July 29, 2004). Coverage of Jon Katz, P.C.'s defense in federal court of a man accused of leading a drug conspiracy ring. Jon Katz, P.C. maintains his innocence. Click here. See more information on the case here. 

Associated Press (May 4, 2004). Partner Jon Katz gave legal commentary in the midst of a voter registration drive by some adult entertainment industry members, as the presidential election looms a few months ahead. The reporter focused on the Bush II Administration's increasing number of federal obscenity prosecutions. Jon asserted that the obscenity prosecutions are a backwards step that damages First Amendment rights. Jon expressed optimism about the victories that lie ahead for many obscenity defendants. 

National Journal (April 10, 2004). "Testing Porn's Protections," by Neil Munro (p. 1118). In the wake of increased numbers of federal obscenity prosecutions, the National Journal  interviews partner Jon Katz about his view against obscenity prosecutions, saying: "It is much harder for a prosecutor to obtain a conviction than 10 or 15 years ago ... because people are more accustomed to sexual material." Criminal defense lawyers for obscenity cases can tell jurors: "Today we might have material you're totally offended by, but tomorrow it may be Muzak [on trial]....You don't want people telling you what you can or cannot see."

Washington Legal Times (March 8, 2004). Legal Times interviews Jon Katz and other First Amendment lawyers for its cover article on the federal government's increased focus on obscenity prosecutions, after many years of leaving the task to state prosecutors. The article quotes Jon's view that prosecutors will have more difficulty now than ever before in obtaining obscenity convictions, seeing that more people today than in the past are exposed to adult entertainment, whether they want to be or not.

Washington Post (Oct. 1, 2003) -- This feature article on medical marijuana opens with partner Jon Katz's appreciation for Maryland's newly effective law that caps marijuana possession penalties at $100 upon proof that it was for medical necessity. See article here. 

Coverage of JON KATZ, P.C.'s victory before Maryland's highest court, in fight against prosecution involving an exotic cabaret. Maryland Daily Record (November 13, 2002) and Adult Video News online  (November 15, 2002)  (ADVISORY: The Adult Video News website includes explicit adult visual and written content). 

Plowshares trial coverage (March 2000). The following news organizations covered and published several articles on the Plowshares criminal jury trial, which partner Jon Katz defended with former United States Attorney General Ramsey Clark and Michigan attorney Anabel Dwyer: 

Archived articles on the trial are found at the following links: CINJust Archives, Common Dreams Newswire, Corpus.org, Grassroots Online, Greenmac.com, Nonviolence.org, and Prop1/NucNews.

    Jon Katz, P.C. fights tirelessly for justice for our clients. Our law partners Jay Marks and Jon Katz serve our clients directly, with caring and understanding. Jay and Jon met in 1969, attended public school together, trust each other deeply, revel in the thrill of victory, and fight side by side. We opened in 1998, and look forward to many more years of doing good for our clients and society. We are dedicated to justice, welcome tough cases, and never shy away from controversy. 

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