Mason County Criminal Attorneys

A change of heart

It’s not unusual for prosecutors to switch gears and become criminal defense attorneys. In fact, just about every successful defense lawyer in Doylestown started his or her career in the Bucks County District Attorney’s Office.

But Dave Zellis is no ordinary prosecutor. And his reasons for “going to the dark side,” as the courthouse crowd refers to such a career change, may surprise you.

This hardened prosecutor who spent the last 26 years putting some of the county’s most infamous criminals behind bars had his heartstrings pulled by a bunch of drug addicts.

“For years I thought that locking everyone up who committed a crime was the only way to keep our community safe,” Zellis admitted.

That was before Bucks County got a drug court. The program, which began last year, is a mix of tough love and incentives aimed at helping drug-addicted defendants get their lives on track.

Participants get access to detox programs and counseling, as well as help with housing and other needs. They must attend regular court sessions and submit to frequent tests to make sure they’re not slipping. Those who do slip risk a state prison sentence.

As the eyes and ears of the DA’s office, Zellis went into the program thinking his job would be to make sure people who committed crimes weren’t getting off the hook. He said he soon became emotionally involved in the process.

“What I learned is that most of these people have tried their best to stay clean and sober, but this disease of addiction has such a grip on them, that they go back to using.”

Zellis said he found himself rooting for the participants to succeed, and was crushed when they didn’t. The sound of a jail door slamming shut had lost much of its appeal.

Hired in 1985 by then-DA Michael Kane, Zellis has served under DAs Alan Rubenstein, Diane Gibbons, Michelle Henry and, currently, Dave Heckler.

Rubenstein put him in charge of the county’s investigative grand jury, a closed-door panel that tackles complicated cases and uncooperative witnesses. He held that job for 21 years.

Rubenstein, now a county judge, said Zellis’ meticulousness made him the perfect candidate to oversee the grand jury.

“Dave’s the consummate professional,” Rubenstein said. “He’s especially bright, especially diligent. He’s always well prepared and well organized. An excellent attorney.”

Gibbons appointed Zellis her first assistant, a post he also held while Henry was in charge of the office.

Loudoun County Criminal Defense & Divorce Lawyer | John C ...

John C. Whitbeck, Jr. is the founder and majority shareholder from the firm. His practice targets family law, criminal law, mental health law, civil litigation and several other areas. He regularly practices in several jurisdictions within the Northern Virginia area; however his practice is primarily in Loudoun County, Fairfax County, Prince William County Clarke County, Frederick County and also the City of Winchester.

- Criminal Defense

- Divorce

- Family Law

- Mental Illness Law

- DUI / DWI Law

- Construction cases

- & more

Admitted to Practice: All courts in the Commonwealth of Virginia; U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Virginia

Law School: George Mason University School of Law , J.D., cum laude

College: Occidental College, B.A.

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