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Archives for March 2012

Howard County Teen Drivers and Traffic Charges

March 26, 2012 by

Howard County teenage drivers, like teen drivers everywhere, are more likely to take risks than other motorists when driving; more likely to text while driving; and more likely to speed than other drivers. Most teen deaths occur in car crashes between 3 p.m. and midnight. That’s why the Howard County Police offer various educational programs like collision avoidance training, and classes to prevent teenage drivers from drinking and driving.

Unfortunately, many teen drivers in Howard County still receive traffic charges for speeding, reckless driving, violation of alcohol restriction, and drunk driving, including DUI and DWI. A conviction of any traffic charge might result in loss of a provisional driver’s license. Even though a teenager is charged with a traffic violation in Howard County, they still need an experienced traffic ticket lawyer to defend them. In many cases, it is the parents who end up bearing the brunt when their teenager loses a driver’s license and a parent must drive their child back and forth to school or to a job.

Howard County Traffic Ticket Lawyer

Jonathan Scott Smith is a Howard County traffic ticket lawyer with many years of experience representing teenage drivers in traffic violation cases. Many of our new cases are referred to us by former clients or by other attorneys. He fights hard for his clients. That’s why many satisfied clients think so highly of him. Mr. Smith’s results speak for themselves.

Mr. Smith’s extensive trial experience — and track record of successful results — has earned him the recognition of his peers, with an AV® Preeminent™* Peer Review Rating in the Martindale-Hubbell peer review rating process, and a 10.0 Superb AVVO rating. These are the highest ratings possible for legal skill, ethical practice, lawyer’s years in practice, disciplinary history, professional achievements and industry recognition. Attorney Smith is considered to be one of the best criminal defense and traffic ticket attorneys in Columbia, Ellicott City, and Howard County.

To schedule a meeting, contact our office by e-mail or call us at 410-740-0101.

Defense of Traffic Violations

We handle all traffic tickets for individuals throughout the Baltimore metro area. We defend teen drivers charged with any type of traffic offense, including:

  • DUI / DWI or drunk driving
  • Speeding
  • Negligent driving
  • Reckless driving
  • Violation of license restriction, including violation of alcohol restriction

Contact Our Office

For an appointment, contact us by e-mail or call us at 410-740-0101. Put an experienced Maryland traffic violations defense lawyer to work for you. We accept Visa, MasterCard, Discover and American Express.

Attorney Jonathan Scott Smith represents clients in criminal defense matters, DUI / DWI, MVA Hearings, traffic offenses, domestic violence and child abuse charges throughout Maryland, including the cities of Columbia, Clarksville, Sykesville, Fulton, Elkridge, Frederick, Mt. Airy, Ellicott City, Laurel, Westminster, and Baltimore. Lawyer Smith also provides experienced legal representation for clients in Baltimore County, Anne Arundel County, Carroll County, Prince Georges (Prince George) County, Howard County and Montgomery County, MD.

Filed Under: Criminal Defense, criminal defense lawyer, criminal lawyer, defense attorney, driving with suspended license, DUI, DWI, reckless driving, traffic charges, Uncategorized Tagged With:

Drivers Charged with DUI and Driving While Suspended in St. Patrick’s Day Sobriety Checkpoint

March 21, 2012 by

On St. Patrick’s Day, Howard County Police conducted a sobriety checkpoint. Two drivers were charged with drunk driving, and another was charged with driving while license suspended. The checkpoint was located on eastbound Maryland Route 175 at Columbia Gateway Drive. A total of 858 vehicles passed through, according to information provided by the Howard County Police. These are just a few of the many drivers charged with driving drunk, DUI, DWI, and driving while suspended in Howard County each year.

Howard County DUI Lawyer

Mr. Smith is a top rated drunk driving lawyer and former prosecutor with more than 30 years of experience in criminal law and drunk driving cases. Before going into private practice, attorney Smith worked as a Maryland prosecutor and learned how the state prepares criminal matters. He has handled 1,000’s of drunk driving cases. Mr. Smith knows the penalties for driving drunk are severe, and he aggressively fights for his clients charged with DUI drunk driving charges.

Drunk Driving Defense

We have protected the rights of thousands of people in court, and have a proven track record of success. Because of our reputation for thorough preparation and the highest level of personal service, many of our new cases come to us as referrals from other attorneys or from satisfied clients. Mr. Smith fights hard for his clients. That’s why many satisfied clients think so highly of him. Mr. Smith’s results speak for themselves.

Mr. Smith’s extensive trial experience — and track record of successful results — has earned him the recognition of his peers, with an AV® Preeminent™* Peer Review Rating in the Martindale-Hubbell peer review rating process, and a 10.0 Superb AVVO rating. These are the highest ratings possible for legal skill, ethical practice, lawyer’s years in practice, disciplinary history, professional achievements and industry recognition. Attorney Smith is considered to be one of the best criminal defense and DUI drunk driving attorneys in Columbia, Ellicott City, and Howard County.

For a private consultation, contact our office by e-mail or call us at 410-740-0101.

Learn more about Maryland DUI law, DUI Penalties and Selecting a DUI Lawyer.

Howard County Drunk Driving (DUI / DWI) Defense Practice

We handle all matters related to drunk driving charges, from the Motor Vehicle Administration (MVA) hearing to determine the status of your driving privileges, to the criminal proceeding to establish guilt or innocence and punishment. We represent people charged with their first DUI, as well as repeat offenders.

When you hire us to defend you against a charge of drinking and driving, we will conduct a thorough examination of the facts and circumstances of your arrest, starting with a determination of whether there was probable cause to make the traffic stop. We will review police reports and verify that field sobriety and blood alcohol or breath tests were done legally and properly. If legal errors were made, or your constitutional rights were violated, we will fight to prevent the prosecution from using the evidence and/or seek dismissal of charges.

We aggressively represent people charged with:

  • DUI, or driving under the influence of alcohol
  • DUI Per Se, or driving under the influence of alcohol per se
  • DWI, or driving while impaired by alcohol
  • Operating a vehicle while under the influence of drugs
  • Driving while under the influence of a controlled dangerous substance (CDS)

Contact Our Office

To schedule an appointment, contact us online or call us at 410-740-0101. Put the skill and experience of a former prosecutor to work for you. We accept Visa, MasterCard, Discover and American Express.

Attorney Jonathan Scott Smith represents clients in criminal defense matters, DUI / DWI, MVA Hearings, traffic offenses, domestic violence and child abuse charges throughout Maryland, including the cities of Columbia, Clarksville, Sykesville, Fulton, Elkridge, Frederick, Mt. Airy, Ellicott City, Laurel, Westminster, and Baltimore. Lawyer Smith also provides experienced legal representation for clients in Baltimore County, Anne Arundel County, Carroll County, Prince Georges (Prince George) County, Howard County and Montgomery County, MD.

Filed Under: Criminal Defense, criminal defense lawyer, criminal lawyer, defense attorney, driving with suspended license, Drunk Driving, DUI, DWI, traffic charges Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Nurse Cleared of Driving While License Suspended

March 21, 2012 by

A 39-year old registered nurse was stopped by Howard County police in Columbia and charged with two counts of driving while license suspended. The penalty for driving while suspended is up to one year in jail, a $1,000.00 fine, and 12 points. The client needed her license to keep her job, and to drive her young children. The case was heard in the District Court for Howard County, located in Ellicott City.

Defense lawyer and traffic ticket attorney Jonathan Scott Smith represented the nurse, rejected the prosecutor’s plea bargain offer, and aggressively defended the case. The judge granted Mr. Smith’s motion to dismiss one charge after successfully pointing out that the citation failed adequately to charge an offense under the law. After that, the prosecutor abandoned the case and dismissed the remaining driving while license suspended charge, clearing the client of all charges.

Experienced Howard County Traffic Ticket Lawyer

Mr. Smith is a top rated criminal lawyer and former prosecutor with more than 30 years of criminal law experience. He has represented many clients in Howard County, including Ellicott City and Columbia, Maryland, who have been charged with driving while license suspended. Mr. Smith is an experienced traffic ticket attorney who has handled many driving while license suspended cases in Howard County.

Howard County Traffic Ticket Defense Attorney

Because of our demonstrated record of success and our strong reputation in the legal community, many of our new cases are referred to us by former clients or by other attorneys. Mr. Smith fights hard for his clients in Howard County traffic ticket cases. That’s why many satisfied clients think so highly of him. Mr. Smith’s results speak for themselves.

Mr. Smith’s extensive trial experience — and track record of successful results — has earned him the recognition of his peers, with an AV® Preeminent™* Peer Review Rating in the Martindale-Hubbell peer review rating process, and a 10.0 Superb AVVO rating. These are the highest ratings possible for legal skill, ethical practice, lawyer’s years in practice, disciplinary history, professional achievements and industry recognition. Attorney Smith is considered to be one of the best criminal defense and traffic ticket attorneys in Columbia, Ellicott City, and Howard County.

To schedule a meeting, contact our office by e-mail or call us at 410-740-0101.

Defense of Howard County Driving While License Suspended

We handle defense of driving while license suspended charges, and traffic tickets for individuals throughout the Baltimore metro area. We will fully investigate the facts and evidence related to your citation, and defend you aggressively. The penalty for driving while suspended is very serious: up to one year in jail, a $1,000.00 fine, or both, and a conviction can result in 12 points on your driving record – enough to revoke your driver’s license.

Contact Our Office

If you need a lawyer for traffic tickets, including driving while license suspended, contact us by e-mail or call us at 410-740-0101. Put an experienced Maryland traffic violations defense lawyer to work for you. We accept Visa, MasterCard, Discover and American Express.

Attorney Jonathan Scott Smith represents clients in criminal defense matters, DUI / DWI, MVA Hearings, traffic offenses, domestic violence and child abuse charges throughout Maryland, including the cities of Columbia, Clarksville, Sykesville, Fulton, Elkridge, Frederick, Mt. Airy, Ellicott City, Laurel, Westminster, and Baltimore. Lawyer Smith also provides experienced legal representation for clients in Baltimore County, Anne Arundel County, Carroll County, Prince Georges (Prince George) County, Howard County and Montgomery County, MD.

Filed Under: Criminal Defense, criminal defense lawyer, criminal lawyer, defense attorney, driving with suspended license, traffic charges Tagged With: , , , , , , , , ,

Beware: Saint Patrick’s Day Police Sobriety Checkpoints!

March 12, 2012 by

Howard County Sobriety Checkpoints
sobriety-checkpoint-howard-county1
The Howard County Police Department has announced that it will conduct a sobriety checkpoint at an undisclosed location this weekend to promote awareness and reduce the number of alcohol-impaired drivers on the roads. The checkpoint will be clearly marked with signs, lights and uniformed officers. Officers will utilize both marked and unmarked vehicles and will be checking for violations including driving under the influence of alcohol, failure to use seat belts and failure to use child safety seats.

Sobriety Checkpoints and Constitutional Protections

A sobriety checkpoint allows police officers to observe drivers and their cars for evidence of drunk driving. Ordinarily police cannot stop a vehicle unless there is a “reasonable and articulable suspicion” that the driver or the vehicle is violating the law. Sobriety checkpoints involve the stopping of vehicles without this showing. That’s why many states outlaw the sobriety checkpoints. An innocent driver’s constitutional rights may be violated by sobriety checkpoints.

Howard County DUI/DWI’s

In 2011, Howard County Police arrested 1,391 individuals for driving under the influence. In 2011, 25 percent of Howard County’s fatal collisions were alcohol related. Drinking and driving carries harsh penalties.

Howard County and Ellicott City DUI DWI Defense Lawyer

Attorney Jonathan Scott Smith is a top rated attorney and former prosecutor with more than 30 years of experience in criminal law and drunk driving cases. Before going into private practice, attorney Smith worked as a Maryland prosecutor and learned how the state prepares criminal matters. He has handled 1,000’s of drunk driving cases.

Mr. Smith’s extensive trial experience — and track record of successful results — has earned him the recognition of his peers, with an AV® Preeminent™* Peer Review Rating in the Martindale-Hubbell peer review rating process, and a 10.0 Superb AVVO rating. These are the highest ratings possible for legal skill, ethical practice, a lawyer’s years in practice, disciplinary history, professional achievements and industry recognition. Attorney Smith is considered to be one of the best criminal defense and DUI drunk driving attorneys in Columbia, Ellicott City, and Howard County.

Contact Our Office

To schedule an appointment, contact us online or call us at 410-740-0101. Put the skill and experience of a former prosecutor to work for you. We accept Visa, MasterCard, Discover and American Express.

Filed Under: Criminal Defense, criminal defense lawyer, criminal lawyer, defense attorney, Drunk Driving, DUI, DWI Tagged With: , , , , , ,

Drinking and Walking Is Not a Crime, But Can Still Lead to Trouble in Maryland

March 5, 2012 by

DWI and DUI Defense in Columbia, Ellicott City, and Howard County, MD

While Driving While Impaired (DWI) and Driving Under the Influence (DUI) are crimes in Baltimore, and throughout Maryland, drinking and walking is not. However, recent events demonstrate that you must always be careful if you go out drinking, and it is best to have a designated driver or cab fare.

In December of 2011, a pedestrian was struck by a vehicle on Route 924. The pedestrian was only 23 years old and his death marked the 23rd highway fatality in Harford County in 2011. The pedestrian who was killed was suspected of being drunk and walking in the driving lane of the highway.

One common mistake many pedestrians make is they think because they can see cars and other motor vehicles clearly, that the oncoming vehicles can see them just as clearly. For those who drive, we know that is not the case. If you are walking or bicycling along a road or highway, you should wear bright clothing, reflective clothing if possible, so drivers can see you more easily.

If you go out drinking, be careful and appoint a designated driver, or at least think ahead and make taxi arrangements. If you do drive, remember, DUI and DWI charges are serious in Maryland.

If you are charged with drunk driving, it is important to retain a skilled criminal defense lawyer as soon as possible after being charged with a DUI or DWI, or other alcohol or drug related charge, in Maryland.

Attorney Jonathan Scott Smith is a top rated former criminal prosecutor, with over 30 years of courtroom experience. He has handled thousands of drunk driving cases. You can see what many satisfied clients have to say about the job he did for them. In addition, you can check the results in real cases he has handled.

Contact Our Office

To schedule an appointment, contact us online or call us at 410-740-0101. Put the skill and experience of a former prosecutor to work for you. We accept Visa, MasterCard, Discover and American Express.

Attorney Jonathan Scott Smith represents clients in criminal defense matters, DUI / DWI, MVA Hearings, and traffic offenses charges throughout Maryland, including the cities of Columbia, Clarksville, Sykesville, Fulton, Elkridge, Frederick, Mt. Airy, Ellicott City, Laurel, Westminster, and Baltimore. Lawyer Smith also provides experienced legal representation for clients in Baltimore County, Anne Arundel County, Carroll County, Prince Georges (Prince George) County, Howard County and Montgomery County, MD.

Filed Under: Criminal Defense, criminal defense lawyer, criminal lawyer, defense attorney, District Court for Howard County, Drunk Driving, DUI, DWI Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

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