A Virginia criminal lawyer who has always been on the defense side is accustomed to panning for gold, going against the united front of police and prosecutors, dealing with the many unfair aspects of the criminal justice system that lopsidedly favor the prosecution, and often finding the cards and rules stacked against the defense, thereby forcing a proverbial gladiator fight. A prosecutor who switches to the defense side is like an organ transplant recipient; the transplant may or may not be rejected by the host. Questions to one's potential Virginia criminal defense lawyer can include how well the lawyer deals with and transcends such obstacles, and ethically and successfully pushes the envelope for the best possible defense for his or her accused clients. Northern Virginia criminal lawyer Jon Katz has successfully defended thousands of clients charged with criminal and DUI offenses, starting with five years as a public defender lawyer advocating for indigent defendants, and continuing into his present law firm that for years has devoted nearly 100% of Jon's practice to defending people charged with felony, misdemeanor and DUI offenses. Jon is among only 8% of lawyers nationwide to hold a Martindale-Hubbell peer-reviewed AV preeminent lawyer rating. He also is AVVO lawyer-rated at 10.0/10.0. From the very start of his criminal defense career, Jon became active with the premier National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, and a few years later being among the small percentage of applicants selected for (and attending) the unparalleled two-week Trial Practice Institute of the National Criminal Defense College (also known as Macon, for its location in Georgia) and the intensive four-week Trial Lawyers College at legendary trial lawyer Gerry Spence's western Wyoming ranch. For Virginia DUI defense, Jon's commitment to the best possible Virginia DUI defense is demonstrated by his being among the small percentage of Virginia criminal defense lawyers who are members of the National College of DUI  Defense, whose great DWI defenders nationwide share their insights for winning such cases. Jon Katz is a battle-tested Fairfax criminal defense lawyer , fighting as a winning team with you at every turn. Your political views, job, and favorite sports teams matter little to Jon. All that matters is that you need a first-rate Virginia criminal lawyer.