On this Thanksgiving Day, we take time to express our daily gratitude for the simple pleasures of life—good friends, family, people we hold dear. As we gather together, help us be grateful and let us share our bounty with our brothers and sisters.
Archives for November 2021
The Difference between a DWI and a DUI in Maryland
November 24, 2021 by
Distinguishing Driving Under the Influence from Driving While Intoxicated
The terms “DWI” and “DUI” often get used interchangeably to generally describe a criminal charge of drinking and driving. In the state of Maryland, though, they are different offenses with different elements and different penalties:
- A person will be charged with a DUI (driving under the influence) if there’s a blood alcohol test that shows violation of state law, or there’s sufficient evidence to prove that the person was operating a vehicle while substantially impaired by alcohol or any controlled substance. Conviction on DUI charges carries a more substantial penalty, up to a year of incarceration and/or a $1,000 fine for the first offense.
- A DWI can be charged if a person’s ability to drive was affected by alcohol. Conviction for a first offense will result in a maximum of two months in jail and a potential $500 fine
AV-Rated St. George’s County DUI/DWI Defense Attorney
Attorney Jonathan Scott Smith has more than three decades of hands-on experience successfully representing criminal defendants across the Baltimore metropolitan area and throughout the state of Maryland. He has been AV-rated (the highest possible) by other attorneys in Maryland under Martindale-Hubbell’s Peer Review Rating System every year since 1988, and was named a Top-Rated Lawyer by The American Lawyer Magazine. He’s earned Martindale-Hubbell’s Client Distinction Award, bestowed upon less than 4% of all attorneys listed in Martindale-Hubbell’s directory and has been among the top 100 lawyers in Maryland listed by Super Lawyers.
Smith has been included among the top 100 attorneys in Maryland by the National Trial Lawyers Association, a “by invitation only” professional organization. He has also earned a 10.0 (Superb rating) as a litigation attorney from AVVO, as well as AVVO’s Client’s Choice Award, with an average client review of 5 stars.
An experienced and respected trial attorney, Jonathan handles a wide range of criminal matters, including misdemeanors and felony charges. He knows how to effectively investigate a criminal charge, taking the time carefully gather, assess and preserve all evidence to support an acquittal. He is committed to protecting your constitutional rights and ensuring that police and prosecutors followed all required procedures when gathering evidence or detaining you. He’ll carefully question all potential witnesses, so that he can prepare and present the most effective arguments in your defense.
Baltimore, Maryland Criminal Defense Attorney
Contact our office by e-mail or call 410-740-0101 for an appointment. We represent criminal defendants in Carroll County, Frederick County, Howard County, Baltimore County, Prince George’s County and Montgomery County in Maryland.
Baltimore Crime Rate Unaffected by Less Prosecution of Crime
November 19, 2021 by
Study Shows No Increase after Decision Not to Prosecute Low-Level Crimes
A study conducted by Johns Hopkins University, in Baltimore, concluded that the 2020 decision by Baltimore State’s Attorney Marilyn Mosby to stop prosecuting most drug possession and prostitution crimes has not led to an increase in the city’s crime rate. According to the report, there has been no meaningful increase in citizen-filed complaints related to drug possession or prostitution, and no evidence of any additional risk to public safety.
Gathering data over a 14-month-period, the study found that only six of those defendants who had prostitution or drug possession charges dropped were subsequently arrested for any type of violent crime.
Results-Oriented Baltimore County Criminal Defense Attorney
Over the last 30+ years, attorney Jonathan Scott Smith has aggressively protected the rights of people in Baltimore and across the state of Maryland who are under investigation for or have been charged with a criminal offense. He’s listed among the top 100 lawyers in Maryland by SuperLawyers and The American Lawyer Magazine tabbed him as a Top Rated Lawyer in 2012. The National Trial Lawyers Association, a “by invitation only” organization, has also ranked him as one of the top 100 attorneys in Maryland.
Attorney Smith has long held the esteem of his colleagues in the legal profession, who have given him an AV-rating (the highest possible) under Martindale-Hubbell’s Peer Review Rating System every year since 1988. He has also been honored with Martindale-Hubbell’s Client Distinction Award, awarded to less than 4% of all attorneys listed there. He has a 10.0 (Superb rating) as a trial lawyer from AVVO and has earned the Client’s Choice Award from AVVO, with an average client review of 5 stars.
Known for his extensive knowledge of criminal law and procedure, and for the skill and experience he brings to the defense of any criminal matter, attorney Smith knows how to quickly determine whether police have violated your constitutional rights during a search, seizure or arrest. He’s also a proven trial lawyer, with a reputation for aggressively advocating before a judge and jury.
Proven Criminal Defense Lawyer in the Greater Baltimore Area
At the law offices of Jonathan Scott Smith, we fight for the rights of criminal defendants throughout Baltimore County and the surrounding communities. Contact us online or call 410-740-0101 to arrange a meeting. We handle cases throughout Anne Arundel County, Carroll County, Frederick County, Howard County, Baltimore County, Prince George’s County and Montgomery County in Maryland.
