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Criminal Defense

Preliminary hearings in Virginia – Fairfax criminal lawyer on the PH right

November 20, 2017

Preliminary hearings are an important part of Virginia criminal defense for felony prosecutions. As a Fairfax criminal lawyer, I know that such hearings are important for obtaining discovery before the hearing date, for working to negotiate a mutually agreed settlement, to learn more about the...

Strict Deadlines for Challenging Criminal Convictions

November 19, 2017

Strict deadlines apply for challenging criminal convictions. As a Fairfax criminal lawyer, my heart goes out to the numerous people calling me to seek relief for serious convictions years after the last court action was taken. The relief usually is sought to try to obtain...

Virginia drug defense – Fairfax criminal lawyer on distribution defense

November 18, 2017

Virginia drug defense involves humorless statutes, sentencing schemes and sentencing guidelines. As a Fairfaxcriminal lawyer, I know that the sentencing risks for a drug conviction multiply when the conviction is not for mere personal drug use, and is instead for selling, distributing, manufacturing, or possessing...

Guilty Pleas in Virginia – Criminal Lawyer on Their Points of No Return

November 15, 2017

Guilty pleas in Virginia must only be the result of the defense's fully preparing for trial. As a Fairfax criminal lawyer, I know that this trial readiness approach to pleading guilty, no contest/nolo contendere, Alford, or facts sufficient to prove guilt (collectively for this article,...

Statutory Rape Defense in Virginia – Fairfax Criminal Lawyer Warns About Age Risks

November 14, 2017

Statutory rape prosecutions are risked at the Virginia state level whenever an adult engages in sex with a minor, whether or not the defendant knew the minor was a minor. At the federal level, a prosecution for sex trafficking requires that the defendant “knew, or...

Virginia Prostitution Defense – Fairfax Criminal Lawyer on Sex Advertising

November 13, 2017

Virginia prostitution defense often involves police stings, where alleged Johns/hobbyists are set up to meet with would-be prostitutes/providers who instead are police officers/police hires. As a Fairfax criminal lawyer, I know how much prostitution prosecutions waste limited police resources that could instead

Veterans Day & when to sheathe and unsheathe weapons in criminal court

November 10, 2017

On past Veterans Days, I have warned against overglorifying the military, and about the human weaknesses and errors that bring war atrocities and other abuses of military power. Today, I will address some better and more humane ways of fighting, both with the military and...

Advocating When Judges Blunder – A Fairfax Criminal Lawyer’s View

November 7, 2017

Advocating for criminal defendants when judges blunder is part of the job of a criminal defense lawyer. As a Fairfax criminal lawyer, I know that many judges will royally blunder in making numerous vital decisions. The humble judges who blunder have better potential for getting...

Sentencing Succeeding with Alternative Narrative

November 6, 2017

Sentencing succeeding for criminal defendants comes through offering a persuasively alternative narrative to that of the prosecutor. Prosecutors are trained to demonize convicted criminal defendants and to make the sentencing judge averse to having his or her face pasted on the newspapers' front pages

Court victory by defending from within – Fairfax criminal lawyer’s approach

November 5, 2017

Court victory is never obtained through wishful thinking, stroking a lucky rabbit's foot, nor good looks. As a Fairfax criminal lawyer, I know that court victory comes from a lawyer's relying on his or her own ability, wits, human greatness, sweat and toil.

He is the kind of lawyer that other lawyers go to for representation

I have known Jon for many years, and know him as a tireless advocate. He is the kind of lawyer that other lawyers go to for representation. I have recommended Jon to many of my clients who needed his help as I know that they will be well taken care of. Five Stars!

Daniel Barrera
Source: Google
I was represented well and was VERY pleased with the results

I had a very good experience with Jon Katz and his team. Pretrial, I was informed of what I needed to do up to trial date. I was represented well and was VERY pleased with the results. I would recommend this firm strongly. I also received additional support post trial which was a huge help to me.

Jeffrey
Source: Avvo
He has a long record of success - and I am happy I made that choice.

Jon was able to negotiate a settlement with the prosecutor that was initially a plea to a lesser charge; then a dismissal of that charge, without admission of guilt, and without conviction . He also negotiated several thousand dollars in fines, down to only paying a one hundred dollar court cost. This result was quite a lot more than I had thought possible. Jon had settled a case that potentially would lead to serious jail sentence – down to essentially no serious penalty at all. This is what Jon did:

1. Over multiple weekly phone conversations, he interviewed me about all relevant factors of the case.

2. He aggressively sought and obtained – thru “discovery”, and “Brady” — multiple bodycams from arresting officers. He spent about 12 hours reviewing these videos carefully. He used the term “inside the four square corners”. This was a term that reflects a careful search for precisely what was used by police to obtain consent to search, and all aspects of the arrest – and if the provided video evidence supported or challenged – the eventual charges. He carefully looked for any details from the scene, or from dialogue, that were exculpatory.

3. He assigned me multiple tasks, beginning on day one – that forced me to focus on the charges, weigh my culpability, and make strong behavioral changes that may possibly indicate to prosecution that I recognize the problems I have created, and am taking direct actions to counter the damage I have done- and obviate future injury or harm. This was additionally helpful because it provided me with a sense of some control over my situation.

4. He spoke to me on numerous occasions, by phone, to give a detailed plan for my defense. He informed me in a firm but also supportive way – seeking my consent – and he was realistic – but also allowed some hope and dignity for the position I was in.

5. He did an extensive literature and case review to find any prior cases that could act as precedent in my case. He was able to find a recent, high profile case, that was settled in a Virginia Court. Its main elements were similar to mine. Jon obtained the transcript of the cross-examination in that case. When Jon had reviewed those elements, he was then able to hire an expert witness who could address the discovered vulnerabilities.

6. Jon showed an extensive knowledge of case law. He also showed expertise in the plea negotiation process.

7. The day of trial, Jon was able to show the prosecutor, and the judge, that he was prepared to offer a methodically laid out defense, with recent precedent, and expert testimony. Also, he was able to present me in a context a little broader that just a person attached to these charges. He showed this event in a broader sense of my life, and convinced the judge that I had taken steps to correct my problems, and that I had been of service to society for many decades. He presented what I believe to be an accurate and FAIR assessment of my situation.

I can look back over the past several months since I hired Jon. It started as a google search for “Best Virginia Lawyer”. The first search results, at the top of the page- I knew these were paid advertisements. I generally skip these ads, trying to find the most accurate reviews. But – and I am happy I did – I also reminded myself that these ads are PAID FOR and whoever is paying for the ads likely IS SUCCESSFUL , so I gave Jon a shot.

He has a long record of success – and I am happy I made that choice.

Anon.
Source: Avvo