Mother Who Abandoned Baby on Road Pleads Guilty

February 23, 2016 by Jonathan Smith

mother-who-abandoned-baby-on-road-pleads-guilty

Anne Arundel County prosecutors have accepted a guilty plea from a 26-year-old woman who left her two-month-old daughter in a child carrier on the road in the 900 block of Druid Hill Avenue in Pasadena. As a part of the plea agreement, the woman was sentenced to five years in prison, with all but five months suspended as time served. She will be on probation for the five-year-period and must complete drug and alcohol treatment, as well as a parenting class. She is also prohibited from having any unlawful contact with her children.

Police say the defendant had a physical altercation with the father of the child on the 4th of July. She apparently set the child by the side of the road during the confrontation. The infant was left alone on the roadside for more than an hour before passers-by rescued her.

Top-Rated Columbia and Ellicott City, MD, Criminal Defense Lawyer

Jonathan Scott Smith, a Maryland Super Lawyer, has fought for the rights of criminal defendants in Maryland for more than 30 years. Because of his record and reputation for effective representation, he has been awarded the Client’s Choice Award from AVVO, based on 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 has also built an outstanding reputation with his colleagues in the legal profession, earning an AV-rating under Martindale-Hubbell’s Peer Review Rating System. Smith was also recognized as a 2013 Top Rated Lawyer by The American Lawyer Magazine and Martindale-Hubbell.

Criminal Defense Attorney in Baltimore County, Maryland

At the law office of Jonathan Scott Smith, we aggressively defend people charged with any crime. 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.

http://www.wbaltv.com/news/mother-who-abandoned-baby-on-road-pleads-guilty/36720732

Filed Under: Criminal Defense, domestic violence lawyer

Assault Charges filed Against Howard County Police Officer

August 2, 2013 by jsmith

Charges for Assault Filed Against Police Officer
Second degree assault charges were filed against a Howard County Police Officer after a county grand jury returned an indictment this past week, reported The Baltimore Sun. The assault charges arise out of an incident on March 18 when the officer was off duty. Further details regarding the incident were not given.

Assault Charges: Definition of Assault

Assault charges can be filed where someone threatens or harms another person.

Assault in the second degree happens when one person physically injures another. The injuries can be minor or cause physical injury, but not serious or permanent injury.

Second-degree assault also includes causing a reasonable person to fear imminent physical harm. This means that even if you did not physically touch another person but you caused them to have a reasonable fear of being hurt by you, you could potentially be charged with assault.

Top Rated Howard County Criminal Lawyer

Jonathan Scott Smith is a former prosecutor and highly rated Howard County criminal lawyer with extensive experience in cases involving assault charges. Mr. Smith’s trial experience — and track record of successful results — has earned him the recognition of his peers and clients:

Maryland Super Lawyer.
“10.0 Superb” as a litigation attorney by AVVO.
“Client’s Choice Award” by AVVO, based on average client reviews of 5 stars — the highest client review possible.
Client Distinction Award (Client Review Rating of 4.5 or higher on 5.0 scale – less than 4% of 900,000+ attorneys listed by Martindale-Hubbell)
2013 Top Attorneys in Maryland (American Registry)
2013 Top Rated Lawyer by The American Lawyer Magazine and Martindale-Hubbell.
“AV-Preeminent™*” Highest Peer Rating by Martindale-Hubbell Law Directory (25 consecutive years).

These are the highest ratings possible for legal skill, ethical practice, a lawyer’s years in practice, disciplinary history, professional achievements and industry recognition.

Criminal Defense Lawyer Columbia, MD and Ellicott City, MD

Attorney Smith has built his strong reputation on a commitment to personal service and attention, taking the time to listen carefully to your concerns and to tailor his efforts to fight for the outcome you want. He handles all types of criminal matters, including first degree assault, second degree assault, other assault charges, and homicide charges.

Contact Us Now

When you face criminal charges, including assault charges, attorney Jonathan Scott Smith will aggressively fight for you.

We represent people charged with a crime in Howard County, Anne Arundel County, Baltimore County, Carroll County, Frederick County, Prince George’s County and Montgomery County, Maryland. Call our office at 410-740-0101, or contact us online, to schedule an appointment.

Man Wanted in Assault Case

June 11, 2013 by jsmith

Assault Arises from Traffic Dispute
Baltimore County Police asked for the public’s help in apprehending a suspect wanted for first degree assault. The 39-year-old victim and his father were pulling into their driveway when a vehicle blocked their path. The victim got out of his car and confronted the other driver.

The victim and the suspect got into an argument, and the suspect tried to pull the victim into the vehicle. The suspect hit the victim in the chest multiple times, and then drove away. The victim then realized he had been stabbed. He was treated at Shock Trauma for his injuries.

Top Rated Howard County Criminal Lawyer

Jonathan Scott Smith is a former prosecutor and highly rated Howard County criminal lawyer with extensive experience in assault cases. Mr. Smith’s trial experience — and track record of successful results — has earned him the recognition of his peers and clients:

Maryland Super Lawyer.
“10.0 Superb” as a litigation attorney by AVVO.
“Client’s Choice Award” by AVVO, based on average client reviews of 5 stars — the highest client review possible.
Client Distinction Award (Client Review Rating of 4.5 or higher on 5.0 scale – less than 4% of 900,000+ attorneys listed by Martindale-Hubbell)
2013 Top Attorneys in Maryland (American Registry)
2013 Top Rated Lawyer by The American Lawyer Magazine and Martindale-Hubbell.
“AV-Preeminent™*” Highest Peer Rating by Martindale-Hubbell Law Directory (25 consecutive years).

These are the highest ratings possible for legal skill, ethical practice, a lawyer’s years in practice, disciplinary history, professional achievements and industry recognition.

Criminal Defense Lawyer Columbia, MD and Ellicott City, MD

Contact Us Now

When you face criminal charges, attorney Jonathan Scott Smith will aggressively fight for your constitutional rights. Call our office at 410-740-0101, or contact us online, to schedule an appointment.

We represent people charged with a crime in Howard County, Anne Arundel County, Baltimore County, Carroll County, Frederick County, Prince George’s County and Montgomery County, Maryland.

Filed Under: Assault, Criminal Defense, criminal defense lawyer, criminal lawyer, defense attorney, Domestic Assault, Domestic Violence, domestic violence attorney, domestic violence lawyer

Criminal Lawyer Defending Against Felonies and Misdemeanors in Maryland

July 3, 2012 by Jonathan Smith

Making the Law and Your Rights Clear

scales-of-justice
Have you been charged with a crime? Criminal law in Maryland can be difficult to understand. A good starting point is determining the difference between a felony and misdemeanor charge, and how this classification will affect your rights.

Maryland crimes are classified as either being a “misdemeanor” or a “felony”, and the distinction can be important. And in Maryland felony-type crimes are usually regarded as more serious than misdemeanor-type crimes.

Felony charges in Maryland include violent and serious offenses, such as:

Murder
Certain types of assault
Weapons charges
Robbery
Drug sales

Misdemeanor charges in Maryland include:

A DUI (drunk driving) offense
Disorderly conduct
Possession of marijuana
Shoplifting

For more information regarding Maryland law, browse the statutory law codes compiled by the University of Maryland.

Though all criminal charges are serious, felony charges are especially so. A felony conviction can result in prison time, the loss of a professional license and the loss of the right to own a gun. In addition to these direct legal penalties, consequences will likely include a high degree of difficulty in obtaining many forms of employment. That’s why a criminal lawyer defending against felonies and misdemeanors is essential to fight for you.

Criminal Lawyer Defending against Felonies and Misdemeanors in Maryland

Attorney Jonathan Scott Smith is an experienced criminal lawyer defending against felonies and misdemeanors in Maryland. He is experienced in investigating criminal charges and is highly knowledgeable regarding other factors that courts may consider, including an individual’s family history, community connections and involvement and statements by victims and alleged victims. His diligence and experience has resulted in numerous successful outcomes following felony and misdemeanor charges. To contact Jonathan Scott Smith of Smith Criminal Defense Firm, please call 410-740-0101.

Mr. Smith is a top rated attorney and former prosecutor with more than 30 yearsof extensive trial experience. Attorney Smith has handled thousands of criminal cases in the local courts, including felonies and misdemeanors. With a solid and longstanding reputation for personal service and thorough preparation, we get many of our new cases as referrals from existing or former clients, or from other attorneys. Mr. Smith fights hard for his clients. That’s why many satisfied clients think so highly of him.

Mr. Smith’s extensive trial experience — and track record of successful results in felony and misdemeanor criminal cases— has earned him the recognition of his peers, 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 lawyers in Howard County.

Contact Our Office

To schedule an appointment with an experienced criminal defense lawyer, contact us online or call us at 410-740-0101. Put the skill and experience of a former prosecutor to fight for you. We accept Visa, MasterCard, Discover and American Express.

Attorney Jonathan Scott Smith represents clients in felonies, misdemeanors, as well as other 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.

Filed Under: Assault, Criminal Defense, criminal defense lawyer, criminal lawyer, defense attorney, Domestic Assault, Domestic Violence, domestic violence lawyer, driving with suspended license, Drunk Driving Tagged With: felonies, misdemeanors

Domestic Assault Charges Dismissed During Trial

May 9, 2012 by jsmith

Howard County Domestic Assault Trial
A 37-year old program manager for a major defense contractor was arrested by Howard County Police and charged with domestic assault after an argument with his wife. The accused rejected a plea offer and demanded his constitutional right to fight the charges in a trial. The case was tried in the District Court for Howard County.

Prosecutor Dismisses Domestic Assault Charges During Trial

When the case proceeded to trial, the prosecutor called the wife as the prosecution’s first witness. Jonathan Scott Smith, a Howard County domestic assault lawyer representing the husband, cross-examined the complaining witness. Mr. Smith aggressively questioned the wife about her history of filing domestic violence charges in prior relationships. Her testimony about the day of the alleged domestic assault, and the way the altercation supposedly happened, was so confusing and muddled that the prosecutor abruptly dismissed the charges in the middle of cross-examination.

What is Domestic Violence Assault?

Under Maryland law, a second degree assault (which includes what is commonly referred to as “domestic assault” or “domestic violence assault”) occurs when someone places the victim in reasonable fear of an imminent harmful or offensive touching, and the actor has the present apparent ability to carry out the threat. Assault also includes the consummated act of battery, which is an intentional harmful or offensive touching.

Penalties for Domestic Assault

Second degree assault is a misdemeanor. If convicted, the court may impose a sentence up to 10 years imprisonment, a $10,000.00 fine, or both. A conviction can have many other devastating consequences, including loss of employment; loss of a security clearance; inability to possess firearms, including hunting rifles and shotguns; and deportation if one is not a United States citizen.

Ellicott City and Columbia Domestic Assault Lawyer

Mr. Smith is a top rated attorney and former prosecutor with more than 30 years of extensive trial experience, including domestic violence and domestic assault cases. Attorney Smith has handled thousands of domestic assault and other criminal cases in the local courts, including Howard County. Mr. Smith fights hard for his clients. That’s why many satisfied clients think so highly of him. Mr. Smith’s results speak for themselves.

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.

Attorney Jonathan Scott Smith represents clients in domestic assault and other criminal defense matters, DUI / DWI, MVA Hearings, traffic offenses, domestic violence and child abusecharges 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.

Contact Us

To schedule an appointment with an experienced domestic assault lawyer and criminal defense attorney, contact us online or call us at 410-740-0101. Put the skill and experience of a former prosecutor to fight for you. We accept Visa, MasterCard, Discover and American Express.

Filed Under: Assault, Criminal Defense, criminal defense lawyer, criminal lawyer, defense attorney, District Court for Howard County, Domestic Assault, Domestic Violence, domestic violence attorney, domestic violence lawyer, Uncategorized Tagged With: assault lawyer, District Court for Howard County, domestic assault, domestic assault lawyer, domestic violence, domestic violence assault, Domestic Violence charges, jonathan scott smith, lawyer assault, penalties for assault, penalties for domestic assault, what is domestic assault

Protective Order for Domestic Violence Overturned on Appeal

July 18, 2011 by jsmith

A protective order for domestic violence was entered by the District Court for Howard County against a 33 year old analyst after his estranged wife filed a petition requesting a restraining order based on alleged domestic violence and domestic assault. The husband appealed, knowing that he had done nothing wrong. Under Maryland law, an appeal is heard in the Circuit Court “de novo,” meaning a new trial as if the first one had never taken place. The client was represented by a different lawyer in the unsuccessful first trial, and knew he needed an experienced Howard County domestic violence lawyer for the appeal. That’s why he retained Jonathan Scott Smith, an aggressive former prosecutor with more than 30 years of courtroom experience with a track record of successful results.

Maryland family law permits a person to file a petition and obtain a protective order if there is clear and convincing evidence of “abuse.” Abuse means an act that causes serious bodily harm; an act that places a person in fear of imminent serious bodily harm; assault in any degree; rape or sexual offense; false imprisonment; and stalking. A court may grant a wide range of relief, including: an order to leave the home; an order not to abuse, contact, or harass; an order to stay away from the victim’s residence and work, and the children’s school and child care provider. In addition, the court may grant exclusive use and possession of the family home and vehicle, custody, child access, and emergency family maintenance.

In many cases, the protective order law is abused by people who want to end their marriage and manipulate the legal process to gain an unfair advantage in divorce and custody cases. In the current case, the wife acknowledged that she wanted out of the marriage. She filed for a protective order after leaving the family home, and admitted under cross examination that she not only wanted custody, but to have the child “all the time.”

The wife claimed a long history of alleged abuse and injuries. However, there wasn’t any corroborating evidence. Under extensive questioning by Mr. Smith, she admitted she had never been treated by a hospital or doctor; the police had never been called to the home; there weren’t any witnesses; and there weren’t any photographs of any injuries. In fact, the woman even admitted that she continued living with her husband and sleeping in the same bed after the last alleged incident of abuse. Her claims were also contradicted by testimony she had given earlier, and even by her own petition signed under oath.

The case was heard in the Circuit Court for Howard County. After hours of testimony and argument, the judge concluded that there wasn’t clear and convincing evidence of domestic violence and denied the protective order.

If you or a loved one are falsely accused of domestic violence or domestic assault, and someone is seeking a restraining order or protective order, call Jonathan Scott Smith now 410-740-0101 or contact his office online for immediate help.

Filed Under: Domestic Assault, Domestic Violence, domestic violence attorney, domestic violence lawyer, Peace Order, Restraining Order

Woman Not Guilty of Domestic Violence

May 13, 2011 by Jonathan Smith

Woman Charged with Domestic Violence
domestic-violence-wheel
A 30-year old Columbia mother was charged with Second Degree Assault (domestic violence) arising out of allegations by her separated husband that she repeatedly pushed, shoved, and struck him after he arrived to drop off their minor daughter. The husband claimed the mother was intoxicated, and that is why he refused to leave the child for scheduled time with her mother. Every person charged with a crime, including domestic assault or domestic violence abuse, is presumed to be innocent.

What is Domestic Abuse?

Domestic violence, also known as domestic abuse, has been defined as a pattern of abusive behavior against another person in an intimate relationship. It includes physical acts such as assault, as well as threats of physical violence; sexual and emotional abuse; and controlling behavior.

Domestic Violence Charges not Proven at Trial

Jonathan Scott Smith of the Smith Criminal Defense Firm in Columbia, Maryland strongly urged the mother accused of domestic violence to refuse all plea bargain offers and fight the case at trial. She plead not guilty, and proceeded to trial in Howard County District Court. The judge concluded that the prosecution had failed to prove her guilty and found the accused mother not guilty.

Howard County Domestic Violence Attorney

Mr. Smith is a top rated attorney and former prosecutor with more than 30 years of extensive trial experience. Attorney Smith has handled thousands of criminal cases in the local courts, including numerous domestic violence, domestic assault, and domestic violence abuse charges. With a solid and longstanding reputation for personal service and thorough preparation, we get many of our new cases as referrals from existing or former clients, or from other attorneys. Mr. Smith fights hard for his clients. That’s why many satisfied clients think so highly of him.

Top Rated Columbia and Ellicott City Criminal Lawyer

Mr. Smith’s extensive trial experience — and track record of successful results in domestic violence, domestic assault, and domestic abuse, and other criminal cases— has earned him the recognition of his peers, 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 lawyers in Howard County.

Contact Our Office

To schedule an appointment with an experienced domestic violence attorney and criminal defense lawyer, contact us online or call us at 410-740-0101. Put the skill and experience of a former prosecutor to fight for you. We accept Visa, MasterCard, Discover and American Express.

Attorney Jonathan Scott Smith represents clients in domestic violence, domestic assault, other criminal defense matters, DUI / DWI, MVA Hearings, traffic offenses, 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.

Filed Under: Assault, Criminal Defense, criminal defense lawyer, criminal lawyer, Domestic Assault, Domestic Violence, domestic violence attorney, domestic violence lawyer Tagged With: assault, columbia criminal defense lawyer, columbia criminal lawyer, district court, domestic assault, domestic violence, howard county criminal defense lawyer, howard county criminal lawyer, howard county defense lawyer, howard county district court, spousal assault.

Jonathan Scott Smith Criminal Defense Firm