Criminal Defense in Columbia, Ellicott City, and Howard County, MD
Being charged with a crime is serious. Your reputation, your finances and even your freedom may be at stake. So if you have been charged with a crime in Maryland, your first question may well be: “Which criminal defense lawyer should I retain?”
The first question you need to ask yourself is whether to retain a local criminal defense attorney, or whether you want to bring in a criminal defense attorney from out of town. The reference to “local criminal defense attorney” refers to someone with actual experience in the courtroom where you will be facing trial. Retaining a local criminal defense lawyer has some distinct advantages.
Here are the top five reasons why you should consider retaining the services of a local lawyer:
- Reason #1: You should hire a local Maryland criminal defense attorney to defend you against criminal charges because each court has their local rules and customs that an out-of-town attorney may not be familiar with and may inadvertently jeopardize your defense.
- Reason #2: You should hire a local attorney to defend you against criminal charges because a local attorney will likely have an established relationship with the court, and have earned a reputation for trustworthiness and ethical representation, which can help provide you with an excellent defense.
- Reason #3: You should hire a local attorney to defend you against criminal charges because an attorney who is familiar with the tendencies of a judge and a court will be in a better position to evaluate your defense and properly advise you regarding taking the stand.
- Reason #4: You should hire a local attorney to defend you against criminal charges because your attorney would be from the same area as the prosecuting attorney, and therefore in a better position to convey your side of the case more effectively and determine whether a favorable plea agreement can be reached.
- Reason #5: You should hire a local attorney to defend you against criminal charges because if your case goes to trial, a jury of your peers will be selected, and a local lawyer may be in a better position to understand and communicate with those jurors than an attorney from out-of-town.
Of course, these reasons are all premised on having a local attorney who has experience, integrity and the proper attitude and caring to provide you with excellent representation and service.
Howard County, Columbia, and Ellicott City Criminal Lawyer
Attorney Jonathan Scott Smith is a top rated former criminal prosecutor, with over 30 years of courtroom experience in numerous criminal courts throughout the Baltimore area, including Baltimore County, Anne Arundel County, Carroll County, Prince Georges (Prince George) County, Howard County and Montgomery County. He has handled thousands of criminal defense cases, and chances are excellent he has tried cases in the same courtroom, with the same judge, and knows the prosecuting attorney who will be handling your case. 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.
Highly Rated Howard County Criminal Lawyer
Mr. Smith’s extensive trial experience — and track record of successful results in domestic violence, domestic assault, and other criminal cases — has earned him the recognition of the legal community, 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 attorneys in 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.
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.
