Police Say Drug Turf War the Cause of Crime Wave in Baltimore
October 26, 2018 by
According to Baltimore police, a drug turf war has broken out in the city, leading to escalated violence, with more than a dozen shootings in less than 48 hours. Interim Police Commissioner Gary Tuggle told reporters that the dispute started a couple months ago and has been heating up over the past week. The city has seen 44 murders in the last month.
In response to the rising tide of violence, the Police Commissioner has moved 230 officers from administrative positions and put them on the city’s streets, temporarily suspending all administrative functions at all city precincts. Tuggle also suspended all leave requests for Baltimore police officers until further notice. Mayor Catherine Pugh says there are now approximately 650 police officers patrolling city neighborhoods.
AV-Rated Columbia, Maryland Criminal Defense Attorney
Maryland Super Lawyer Jonathan Scott Smith has more than 30 years of experience successfully representing criminal defendants in Frederick County and the surrounding areas. He will aggressively protect your rights at all stages of the criminal process, from arrest to arraignment to trial. He’ll conduct a thorough investigation, examining whether police and prosecutors followed the law when gathering evidence against you. He’ll evaluate and preserve all relevant evidence and carefully interview witnesses, so that he can prepare and present the most compelling arguments in your defense.
Jonathan Scott Smith is an experienced trial attorney, with the skill, experience, knowledge and resources to protect your rights before a judge and jury. With a longstanding reputation for effective advocacy, attorney Smith has been awarded the Client’s Choice Award from AVVO, with an average client review of 5 stars (the highest rating possible). He has a perfect 10.0 Superb rating as a litigation attorney from AVVO, was recognized as a 2012 Top-Rated Lawyer by The American Lawyer Magazine, is AV-rated under Martindale-Hubbell’s Peer Review System, and has been named a Maryland Super Lawyer.
Effective Ellicott City Criminal Defense Lawyer
Don’t take any chances when you are facing criminal charges. Contact attorney Jonathan Scott Smith by e-mail or call our office at 410-740-0101 for an appointment. We represent criminal defendants in Howard County, Baltimore County, Carroll County, Frederick County, Prince Georges County and Montgomery County in Maryland.
Murder Suspect’s Mother Tried to Get Police to Arrest Him before Slaying
October 26, 2018 by
Parent Sought to Have Son Incarcerated for Violation of Court Order
The mother of a 17-year Greenspring juvenile charged in the death of a motorist in Northwest Baltimore says she called authorities and asked them to re-arrest her son about a month before the fatal shooting. The woman says she called the Maryland Department of Juvenile Services to notify them that her son had physically removed his court-mandated ankle monitor and had repeatedly been in violation of a court-ordered curfew. She says authorities never responded to her request.
According to court records, the suspect was initially arrested in connection with a string of carjackings in the summer of 2017. Prosecutors initially charged the youth as an adult, but the judge transferred the case to juvenile court, even though there were hundreds of letters to the court, asking that it stay in adult court.
Proven Baltimore Criminal Defense Lawyer
For more than three decades, attorney Jonathan Scott Smith has aggressively protected the rights of criminal defendants in the Baltimore metropolitan area and throughout Maryland. He brings a comprehensive knowledge of criminal law and procedure to every case he handles. He’ll carefully investigate the facts and circumstances surrounding your arrest or detention, ensuring that law enforcement officers did not violate your constitutional rights.
Attorney Smith is well-respected with his clients and with colleagues. He’s been named a Maryland Super Lawyer, and was listed Top Rated Lawyer by The American Lawyer Magazine in 2012. He is also AV-rated (the top rating possible) by members of the legal profession under Martindale-Hubbell’s Peer Review Rating System. He holds a 10.0 (Superb rating) as a litigation attorney from AVVO and has also been a recipient of the Client’s Choice Award from AVVO, with an average client review of 5 stars.
Effective Prince Georges County Criminal Defense Lawyer
We’ll aggressively protect your rights in any criminal matter. Contact our office by e-mail or call 410-740-0101 to arrange a meeting. We defend cases throughout Howard County, Baltimore County, Carroll County, Frederick County, Prince Georges County and Montgomery County in Maryland.
Police Officer Faces Investigation for Gun Incident
August 22, 2018 by
A Baltimore police officer is the subject of an internal investigation after a fire department dashboard camera caught him neglecting to follow up on allegations that a criminal suspect had thrown a handgun into some bushes in the downtown Baltimore area. Police officials later confirmed that a gun was found in the location where witnesses claimed it had been tossed.
According to Baltimore’s interim police commissioner, Gary Tuggle, the firefighters were on the scene near Lexington and St. Paul streets, when they called police. The officer under investigation was nearby, but refused to take any action when told about the firearm, telling the firefighters “this is not my district.” Tuggle said the officer’s statement, caught on the dashcam, is not consistent with department policy. “[T]his badge says ‘Baltimore City” and you’ve got a responsibility to serve any place in the city.”
AV-Rated Ellicott City Criminal Defense Lawyer
Maryland Super Lawyer Jonathan Scott Smith brings more than three decades of experience to criminal defendants throughout Anne Arundel County and the surrounding area. Attorney Smith will aggressively protect your rights throughout the criminal process, from arrest to arraignment to trial. He’ll investigate every aspect of your case, confirming that police and prosecutors followed the law when gathering evidence against you. He’ll carefully assess the evidence and question witnesses, so that he can prepare and present the most effective defense at trial. He will seek to negotiate a plea bargain, if doing so is in your best interests.
Jonathan Scott Smith has the skill, experience, knowledge and resources to protect your rights before a judge and jury. He’ll make sure that there was probable cause for any search or seizure and that you were properly advised of your constitutional rights if taken into custody.
Because of his longstanding reputation for effective advocacy, attorney Smith has been awarded the Client’s Choice Award from AVVO, with an average client review of 5 stars (the highest rating possible). He has a perfect 10.0 Superb rating as a litigation attorney from AVVO and was recognized as a 2012 Top-Rated Lawyer by The American Lawyer Magazine and by Martindale-Hubbell.
Effective Columbia, Maryland Criminal Defense Attorney
When you face criminal charges, you want someone who will aggressively protect your rights. Contact us by e-mail or call us at 410-740- 0101 to schedule an appointment. We represent criminal defendants in Howard County, Baltimore County, Carroll County, Frederick County, Prince Georges County and Montgomery County in Maryland.
Suspect in Child Shooting Had Prior Convictions
August 3, 2018 by
Defendant Was Banned from Owning or Possessing Firearms
Baltimore police say at least one of the suspects in the shooting death of 7-year-old Taylor Hayes has three prior criminal convictions and could not legally possess a gun. Hayes, a second-grader, was riding in the back of a vehicle in southwest Baltimore on July 5 when she was struck in the back by a bullet. Police arrested the driver of the vehicle after finding a loaded gun, a digital scale and a quantity of heroin in the glove box of the car.
Witnesses sat the scene told police they believed that the fatal shots were fired from a white Mercedes. The alleged owner of that car was arrested on Friday, August 17. When police booked the suspect, they discovered that he had two prior drug convictions, as well as a conviction on first-degree assault.
Highly Respected Baltimore County Criminal Defense Attorney
For more than 30 years, attorney Jonathan Scott Smith has fought to protect the rights of people facing criminal prosecution in Maryland. He combines a thorough approach with an extensive knowledge of criminal law and procedure. He’ll fully investigate the charges against you, ensuring that law enforcement officers followed proper protocols, so that your constitutional rights were not violated.
Attorney Smith is highly regared among clients and colleagues, earning recognition as a Maryland Super Lawyer. Honored as a 2012 Top Rated Lawyer by The American Lawyer Magazine, he is AV-rated under Martindale-Hubbell’s Peer Review Rating System (the top rating possible). He holds a 10.0 (Superb rating) as a litigation attorney from AVVO and has also received the Client’s Choice Award from AVVO, with an average client review of 5 stars.
Proven Baltimore County Criminal Defense Lawyer
We’ll aggressively protect your rights in a criminal matter Contact our office by email or call 410-740-0101 to set up an appointment. We defend cases throughout Howard County, Baltimore County, Carroll County, Frederick County, Prince Georges County and Montgomery County in Maryland.
Local Basketball Legend Slain—Police Suspect Retaliation
May 23, 2018 by
Local basketball legend Tracey Carrington, a graduate of Dundalk High School and Morgan State University, was gunned down on Thursday, September 6, 2018, as she was leaving the S&S Lounge, a sports bar in Overlea. Witnesses say a shooter got out of a car near Carrington and shot her multiple times as she was opening her car door. She was pronounced dead at the scene.
Law enforcement officials say that Carrington was scheduled to be a witness in a double homicide prosecution. Carrington allegedly had evidence against two men charged with murder in a drug deal gone bad. Police officers say Carrington was accompanied by a friend at the time of her death and that the shooter did not fire at the friend. They also noted that the motive wasn’t robbery and that no other crimes were committed.
After a storied high school career, Carrington opted to stay in Baltimore, ultimately becoming the captain of the women’s basketball team.
AV-Rated Baltimore County Criminal Defense Lawyer
Maryland Super Lawyer Jonathan Scott Smith brings more than 30 years of experience to criminal defendants throughout Anne Arundel County and the surrounding communities. Attorney Smith aggressively protects the rights of criminal defendants at any stage of the legal process, from arrest to arraignment to trial. He’ll carefully investigate your cases to ensure that your constitutional rights weren’t violated, confirming that police and prosecutors followed the law when gathering evidence against you. He’ll make sure that there was probable cause for any search or seizure and that you were properly advised of your constitutional rights if taken into custody. He’ll gather, evaluate and preserve all relevant evidence, so that he can prepare and present the most compelling case for your defense.
Jonathan Scott Smith is a highly seasoned trial attorney, with the skill, experience, knowledge and resources to protect your rights in all legal proceedings. Because of his outstanding reputation for effective legal representation, attorney Smith has been awarded the Client’s Choice Award from AVVO, with an average client review of 5 stars (the highest rating possible). He has a perfect 10.0 Superb rating as a litigation attorney from AVVO and was recognized as a 2012 Top-Rated Lawyer by The American Lawyer Magazine and by Martindale-Hubbell.
Effective Ellicott City, Maryland Criminal Defense Attorney
When you face criminal charges, you want someone who will aggressively protect your rights. Contact us by e-mail or call us at 410-740-0101 to schedule an appointment. We represent criminal defendants in Howard County, Baltimore County, Carroll County, Frederick County, Prince Georges County and Montgomery County in Maryland.
Man Gets 65-Year Prison Term for Park Heights Slaying
May 3, 2018 by
Baltimore Man Pleads Guilty to Second-Degree Murder
In what prosecutors say was a case of mistaken identity, a 24-year-old Baltimore man received a 65 year sentence in the fatal shooting of another 24-year in November, 2015. The defendant had been charged and acquitted of first-degree murder for the same crime. Initial reports suggested that the victim was killed because he was building a fence around his home to prevent drug activity in and around his property. After his death, neighbors completed construction of the fence.
At trial, though, prosecutors told the jury that the victim had been mistaken for someone else and that the killing was allegedly in retaliation for another shooting. The State’s Attorney said there had been gunfire at the defendant’s grandmother’s home and that the defendant was told that the perpetrators of that crime were in Park Heights. Prosecutors say the defendant saw only a shadow of what he believed was his intended target and fired four times. Police did not find the gun until nearly a year later, but were able to match it to the crime scene.
Highly Respected Ellicott City Criminal Defense Attorney
For more than 30 years, criminal defense attorney Jonathan Scott Smith has fought to protect the rights of people throughout Baltimore and the state of Maryland. He takes a thorough approach, combining an extensive knowledge of criminal law and procedure with a comprehensive understanding of how prosecutors prepare their cases. He’ll carefully investigate the facts and circumstances of your case, ensuring that law enforcement officers followed proper procedure and that your constitutional rights were protected.
Attorney Smith is highly esteemed among clients and colleagues, earning recognition as a Maryland Super Lawyer. Named a 2012 Top Rated Lawyer by The American Lawyer Magazine, he is AV-rated (the top rating possible) by his colleagues in the legal profession under Martindale-Hubbell’s Peer Review Rating System. He has a 10.0 (Superb rating) as a litigation attorney from AVVO and has also received the Client’s Choice Award from AVVO, with an average client review of 5 stars.
Proven Maryland Criminal Defense Lawyer
We’ll aggressively protect your rights in a criminal matter Contact our office by e-mail or call 410-740-0101 to set up an appointment. We defend cases throughout Howard County, Baltimore County, Carroll County, Frederick County, Prince Georges County and Montgomery County in Maryland.
Anne Arundel Police Charge Couple in Road Rage Incident
April 27, 2018 by
Authorities in Anne Arundel County have one person in custody and a summons issued for another person after a roadway dispute turned ugly. Police say the parties were traveling on Ritchie Highway when the victim allegedly cut off the other driver. The victim apparently started recording the confrontation on her cell phone, when the occupants of the other vehicle, a man and a woman, shoved her, grabbed the phone and stomped on it. According to the victim, the couple initially followed her to a stop light, got out of their vehicle and started kicking and hitting her car. When she fled the scene, they followed her to her home, where the videotaped altercation occurred.
Even though the phone was smashed, the victim was able to retrieve the video and post it online. Police say that led to the man turning himself in. The woman was still being sought, but police had her identity.
AV-Rated Baltimore County Criminal Defense Lawyer
Maryland Super Lawyer Jonathan Scott Smith brings more than 30 years of experience to criminal defendants throughout Anne Arundel County and the surrounding communities. He’ll be at your side throughout the criminal process, from arrest to arraignment to trial. He’ll carefully investigate your case, making certain police and prosecutors followed the law when gathering evidence against you. He’ll carefully assess the evidence and question witnesses, so that he can prepare and present the most effective defense at trial. He will seek to negotiate a plea bargain, if doing so is in your best interests. But he has the skill, experience, knowledge and resources to protect your rights before a judge and jury. He’ll make sure that there was probable cause for any search or seizure and that you were properly advised of your Constitutional rights if taken into custody.
Because of his longstanding reputation for effective advocacy, he has been awarded the Client’s Choice Award from AVVO, with an average client review of 5 stars (the highest rating possible). He has a perfect 10.0 Superb rating as a litigation attorney from AVVO and was recognized as a 2012 Top-Rated Lawyer by The American Lawyer Magazine and by Martindale-Hubbell.
Effective Ellicott City, Maryland Criminal Defense Attorney
When you face criminal charges, you want someone who will aggressively protect your rights. Contact us by e-mail or call us at 410-740-0101 to schedule an appointment. We represent criminal defendants in Howard County, Baltimore County, Carroll County, Frederick County, Prince Georges County and Montgomery County in Maryland.
Maryland Senate Passes Bills to Change Marijuana Laws
April 19, 2018 by
In late March, the Maryland Senate approved a law that would make a number of changes to the state’s marijuana laws. The bill, which nearly triples the amount a person would have to possess to face criminal charges, also makes driving under the influence of cannabis an offense similar to drinking and driving. Under the law, it would be illegal to smoke either as a driver or a passenger.
The law, if approved by the House and signed by the Governor, would make possession of less than an ounce a civil infraction. Under current law, a person can be charged with a criminal offense for possession of 10 grams (an ounce is approximately 28 grams).
In early April, the Senate also approved a proposed law that would provide specific benefits to minorities who want to become licensed medical marijuana growers and processors.
Highly Respected Maryland Criminal Defense Attorney
For more than three decades, attorney Jonathan Scott Smith has fought for the rights of people facing criminal charges in Maryland. He uses a thorough approach to criminal defense, carefully gathering and safeguarding all evidence in your case. He’ll ensure that law enforcement officers followed proper protocols, so that your constitutional rights were not violated.
Attorney Smith is well-respected among clients and colleagues, earning recognition as a Maryland Super Lawyer, as well as an AV-rating under Martindale-Hubbell’s Peer Review Rating System (the top rating possible). Honored as a 2012 Top Rated Lawyer by The American Lawyer Magazine, he has also received the Client’s Choice Award from AVVO, with an average client review of 5 stars (the highest rating possible). He also holds a 10.0 Superb rating as a litigation attorney from AVVO.
Proven Baltimore County Criminal Defense Lawyer
We’ll aggressively protect your rights in a criminal matter Contact our office by e-mail or call 410-740-0101 to set up an appointment. We defend cases throughout Howard County, Baltimore County, Carroll County, Frederick County, Prince Georges County and Montgomery County in Maryland.
