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Immunity and the Fifth Amendment – Fairfax Criminal Lawyer

April 14, 2019

Immunity law needs to be considered by any trial witness wishing to assert the Fifth Amendment right to remain silent. As a Fairfax criminal lawyer, I have experienced several case dismissals for assault cases where the complaining witness hires a lawyer who tells the prosecutor...

Jon is an passionate and brilliant lawyer

Jon Katz is a great lawyer. After some misunderstandings when I was 19 I sought out his council. He gave me confidence that this misunderstanding would be resolved and he delivered. Jon is an passionate and brilliant lawyer. I cannot recommend him enough.

John B
Source: Google
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
He's extremely knowledgeable and passionate about what he does

The highest compliment an attorney can give a fellow attorney is that he would refer them or hire them. I recently had the pleasure of speaking with criminal defense attorney Jon Katz and can 100% say he’s extremely knowledgeable and passionate about what he does. He’s a true criminal defense lawyer through and through.

Daniel
Source: Google

immunity

Immunity and the Fifth Amendment – Fairfax Criminal Lawyer

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