Archives for December 2021

Wishing You And Yours A Merry Christmas & Happy New Year

Merry Christmas & Happy New Year

We are sending holiday cheer to you in the hopes that you and your family have a very Merry Christmas and a healthy New Year.

As we look forward to 2022 we humbly pray that the new year brings a new sense of peace and joy as we enter the new year ready for a return to normalcy and prosperity.

Merry Christmas & Happy New Year

Hiring Legal Counsel to Handle a Traffic Ticket

What Are the Benefits? When Might It Be Critical?

Hiring Legal Counsel to Handle a Traffic TicketWhen you’ve been ticketed for speeding, making an illegal turn or for some other minor traffic violation, you may be inclined to simply plead guilty and pay the ticket. After all, won’t the cost of the attorney be more than the cost of any fines assessed?

The long-term costs of a traffic violation, however, will often be more than the cost of the ticket. You may have points added to your driving record—accumulating too many points in a limited period of time can lead to the suspension of your driving privileges. You may also see your motor vehicle insurance premiums go up.

An experienced traffic violations attorney can help in many ways:

  • Your lawyer may be able to negotiate with police or prosecutors to reduce the charges, so that fines are less and points are avoided or minimized
  • Your attorney can represent you in court—Your lawyer will understand the procedures in the courtroom and may be able to identify ways to have the charges dismissed or reduced
  • Your attorney will know what to expect from the judge—Lawyers who regularly go to traffic court know the tendencies of the different judges, as well as the police officers who issue traffic tickets. That can make a difference in the outcome.

AV-Rated Howard County Criminal Defense Lawyer

Attorney Jonathan Scott Smith brings over 30 years of hands-on experience to criminal defendants across the Baltimore metropolitan area and throughout the state of Maryland. He has been AV-rated (the highest rating possible) by his fellow attorneys under Martindale-Hubbell’s Peer Review Rating System every year since 1988. He has also earned Martindale-Hubbell’s Client Distinction Award, bestowed upon less than 4% of all attorneys listed in Martindale-Hubbell’s directory. He’s been among the top 100 lawyers in Maryland listed by SuperLawyers, and has been honored as a Top-Rated Lawyer by The American Lawyer Magazine.

Attorney Smith brings considerable skill and experience to the defense of a wide range of criminal charges. He knows how to effectively gather, assess and preserve all evidence to support an acquittal. He has a comprehensive understanding of your constitutional rights and ensure 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 compelling arguments in your defense.

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.

Baltimore, Maryland Traffic Violations 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.

Avoiding a Drunk Driving Charge during the Holidays

Things You Can Do to Minimize the Risk of a DUI/DWI

Avoiding a Drunk Driving Charge during the HolidaysThe holiday season is a time of good cheer, but a little too much cheer can lead to a DUI/DWI charge. Here are some easy ways to keep a drunk driving charge off your Christmas list:

  • Always travel with a designated driver—agree before you go to a party or a pub who will be drinking and who won’t. Be willing to be the DD on occasion.
  • Keep your vehicle in good working order—Law enforcement officers must have probable cause to pull you over. Don’t let a faulty taillight or turn signal lead to a drunk driving charge.
  • Underdrink—Breathalyzers are notoriously unreliable and may falsely show that you are above the legal limit. In addition, your body produces alcohol. You can have just as much fun if you nurse that one drink.
  • Wait a half an hour before you have your first drink
  • Always eat something when you drink
  • Don’t drink when you are going to drive

Proven Maryland DUI/DWI Defense Attorney

For more than 30 years, attorney Jonathan Scott Smith has successfully fought for the rights of criminal defendants in Baltimore and across the state of Maryland, including many clients who have been charged with drinking and driving. SuperLawyers ranks him among the top 100 lawyers in Maryland and The American Lawyer Magazine has named him a Top-Rated Lawyer. The National Trial Lawyers Association, a “by invitation only” organization, has also listed him in the top 100 attorneys in Maryland.

His colleagues in the legal profession have given Jonathan an AV-rating (the highest possible) under Martindale-Hubbell’s Peer Review Rating System every year since 1988. He has also received Martindale-Hubbell’s Client Distinction Award, earned by 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.

A highly respected trial attorney, Jonathan has long been known and respected for his knowledge of criminal law and procedure, as well as his skill and extensive experience when handling criminal matters. He knows how to effectively gather and preserve evidence, and can quickly determine whether law enforcement officers have violated your constitutional rights in a search, seizure or arrest.

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.

ADDRESS :

  • Jonathan Scott Smith 10490 Little Patuxent Parkway, Suite 200 ,Columbia, MD 21044-4960

  • Call for consultation 410-740-0101