The Consequences of a Conviction for Domestic Abuse
Prosecutors and legislators in Maryland take a serious approach to domestic violence and abuse. If you are convicted of assault in relation to domestic violence, you can be sentenced to:
- Up to 1o years in prison on a charge of second-degree assault. Second-degree assault includes any type of offensive touching that reasonably puts the victim in fear of imminent harm.
- Up to 25 years in prison when charged with first-degree assault. An assault will rise to the level of first-degree assault if a firearm is involved or if the assault causes serious bodily injury or death.
To determine whether a defendant will be charged with first-degree assault, prosecutors will typically look at a number of aggravating factors, including:
- The nature and extent of injuries
- Whether or not the injuries are permanent
- Whether or not there were any broken bones
- Whether or not the victim required emergency medical treatment or hospitalization
Aggressive Ellicott City Criminal Defense Lawyer
Attorney Jonathan Scott Smith brings more than three decades of experience to criminal defendants across the Baltimore metropolitan area and the state of Maryland, including people charged with domestic violence or abuse. He has been received an AV-rating (the highest rating possible) under Martindale-Hubbell’s Peer Review Rating System from his colleagues in the Maryland bar for more than 34 years. He has been ranked among the top 100 lawyers in Maryland listed by SuperLawyers and was named a Top-Rated Lawyer by The American Lawyer Magazine. He has also earned Martindale-Hubbell’s Client Distinction Award, awarded to less than 4% of all lawyers nationwide.
Over the past three decades, attorney Smith has successfully protected the rights of individuals facing all types of criminal charges, including prosecution for domestic violence or abuse. He will work hard to protect your constitutional rights, fully investigating your case to verify that law enforcement officers and prosecutors follow proper procedures when gathering evidence. He’ll question all potential witnesses and preserve all relevant evidence, so that he can prepare and present the most compelling arguments for your acquittal.
Attorney Smith has been listed among the top 100 attorneys in Maryland by the National Trial Lawyers Association, a “by invitation only” professional organization. He holds a 10.0 (Superb) rating as a trial attorney from AVVO, as well as AVVO’s Client’s Choice Award, with an average client review of 5 stars.
Results-Oriented Montgomery County Criminal Defense Lawyer
Contact our office by e-mail or call 410-740-0101 for a free initial consultation. We represent criminal defendants in Carroll County, Frederick County, Howard County, Baltimore County, Prince George’s County and Montgomery County in Maryland.
Imagine yourself in a situation where someone has done something to cause you to lose your temper. You say something or you engage in a reflex gesture, maybe clenching your fists, and the next thing you know, the police are at your door, seeking to arrest you on charges of assault. It can happen.
