Underage Drinking Warnings Released by Howard County Police

April 22, 2013 by jsmith

Underage Drinking at Prom and Graduation Parties
Underage drinking, a frequent occurrence at prom and graduation parties, was the focus of recent warnings by Howard County Police. With prom and graduations starting this coming weekend, county police sought to warn teens and their parents of the legal consequences of underage drinking.

Underage Drinking Can Result in Possession of Alcohol Charges

Various criminal charges can be filed if someone is caught in underage drinking. These include criminal charges for alcohol possession and possession of a fake ID. If a driver engages in underage drinking, they may be charged with violation of alcohol restriction, driving under the influence (DUI) and driving while impaired (DWI). Adults who provide alcohol to minors can be criminally charged with obtaining or furnishing alcohol to a minor.

Criminal Lawyer for Underage Drinking Charges

Mr. Smith is a top rated criminal defense 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 cases involved underage drinking.

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 Criminal Defense: Possession of Alcohol by Minor

Mr. Smith’s extensive 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.
“AV-Preeminent™*” Peer Rating by Martindale-Hubbell Law Directory (25 consecutive years).
“Client’s Choice Award” by AVVO, based on average client reviews of 5 stars — the highest client review possible.
2013 Top Rated Lawyer by The American Lawyer magazine and Martindale-Hubbell.

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

Contact Us Now

Call our office at 410-740-0101, or contact us online, to schedule an appointment. We represent people accused of underage drinking and other crimes throughout Maryland, including Howard County, Anne Arundel County, Baltimore County, Carroll County, Frederick County, Prince George’s County and Montgomery County.

We accept Visa, MasterCard, and American Express.

Filed Under: Criminal Defense, criminal defense lawyer, criminal lawyer, defense attorney, District Court for Howard County, Drunk Driving, DUI, DWI

Drivers Face DUI Charges in Prince George’s County Sobriety Checkpoint

December 10, 2012 by jsmith

Sobriety Checkpoint In Prince George’s County Nets Drivers

On December 7 and 8, 2012, Prince George’s County police officers conducted sobriety check points and focused their enforcement along the University Boulevard corridor and the Pennsylvania Avenue and Marlboro Pike corridor. On those nights, police officers made seven arrests on DUI charges over the course of 100 traffic stops, according to the police department.

The Prince George’s County Police Department’s sobriety checkpoint is part of its participation in a statewide drunk driving enforcement operation called Project SOLO—Saving Our Loved Ones.

Prince George’s County DUI Lawyer

An experienced DUI lawyer can be very helpful dealing with arrests resulting from sobriety checkpoints. Attorney Jonathan Scott Smith is a top rated attorney and former prosecutor with more than 30 years of experience in criminal law and drunk driving cases. Before going into private practice, attorney Smith worked as a Maryland prosecutor and learned how the state prepares criminal matters. He has handled 1,000’s of drunk driving cases.

Top Rated Drunk Driving Defense Attorney

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

DUI Lawyer Prince George’s County MD

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

Filed Under: Criminal Defense, criminal defense lawyer, criminal lawyer, defense attorney, driving with suspended license, Drunk Driving, DUI, DWI, traffic charges

Six Drivers Arrested in Howard Count DUI Sobriety Checkpoint

December 10, 2012 by jsmith

Sobriety Checkpoint Results in DUI Charges

Howard County Police conducted a DUI sobriety checkpoint on Saturday, December 8, 2012 into the early morning hours of Sunday, December 9, 2012, according to The Baltimore Sun. The sobriety checkpoint was established on westbound US Route 40 and Governors Run Way in Ellicott City.

Five drivers were arrested and charged with DUI charges. One driver was arrested for driving on a suspended license. Approximately 649 vehicles passed through the Checkpoint, which was staffed by Howard County Police.

Sobriety Checkpoints Key Tool for DUI Charges

Howard County Police periodically conduct sobriety checkpoints as part of the Checkpoint Strikeforce campaign that are funded in part by a grant from the Maryland Highway Safety Office. Maryland Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) also assisted with the DUI check point.

Maryland DUI Lawyer

An experienced sobriety check point DUI lawyer can explain your rights and fight for you in court. Attorney Jonathan Scott Smith is a top rated attorney and former prosecutor with more than 30 years of experience in criminal law and drunk driving cases. Before going into private practice, attorney Smith worked as a Maryland prosecutor and learned how the state prepares criminal matters. He has handled 1,000’s of drunk driving cases.

Mr. Smith’s extensive trial experience — and track record of successful results in DUI charges 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, a lawyer’s years in practice, disciplinary history, professional achievements and industry recognition. Attorney Smith is considered to be one of the best criminal defense and DUI drunk driving attorneys in Columbia, Ellicott City, and Howard County.

DUI Attorney Howard County MD

DUI charges are very serious. You need an experienced drunk driving lawyer to fight for you. We accept Visa, MasterCard, Discover and American Express. To schedule an appointment with an experienced drunk driving defense lawyer, contact us online or call us at 410-740-0101.

Filed Under: Criminal Defense, criminal defense lawyer, criminal lawyer, defense attorney, driving with suspended license, Drunk Driving, DUI, DWI

Authorities Target DUI Drivers on Holidays

September 10, 2012 by Jonathan Smith

Maryland has targeted Thanksgiving with mobile and stationary patrols. Additionally, the Maryland State Police’s operation “Centerpoint Strikeforce” regularly sets up checkpoints throughout the state.

The Centerpoint Strikeforce operation recently checked 130 cars near the Md. 85 and Executive Way in just a four-hour weekend-period, but no one was arrested on drunk driving charges. This particular Maryland location was chosen because of the area’s relative frequency of DUI arrests and crashes involving alcohol.

Interestingly, the American Beverage Institute notes a University of Maryland study (2009) that indicates sobriety checkpoints do not in fact affect drivers’ actions. Rather, research seems to indicate that roving police cars tend to make more DUI arrests.

Throughout the United States authorities have been cracking down on DUI drivers just before and during holidays. For those interested, it is possible to find the location of these DUI police checkpoints online, through websites devoted specifically to tracking DUI checkpoints. Also, police departments often announce their plans to conduct sobriety checkpoints (but not the locations).

Holidays such as Labor Day typically have more drunk-driving related crashes. For instance, during Labor Day weekend in 2010, 147 people died as a result of car crashes that involved a drunk driver.

Accused of DUI or DWI in MD? Contact an Experience Criminal Defense Attorney

To schedule an appointment with an experienced criminal defense lawyer at the Smith Criminal Defense Firm in Columbia, Maryland, 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: Criminal Defense, criminal defense lawyer, criminal lawyer, defense attorney, Drunk Driving, DUI, DWI, MVA Hearing Tagged With: alcohol, blood alcohol content, columbia, defense lawyer, drinks, driving under the influence, Drunk Driving, drunk driving defense, dui dwi, dwi court, dwi defense, dwi defense lawyer, ellicott city, howard county, jonathan scott smith, law, md, repeat offenders, transport law

Howard County Police to Conduct DUI Checkpoint

August 16, 2012 by jsmith

Sobriety Checkpoint Scheduled by Howard County Police

The Howard County Police Department announced that it will conduct a DUI checkpoint this coming weekend. The department conducts several dui checkpoints each year. The checkpoint will be clearly marked with signs, lights and uniformed officers. Officers will utilize both marked and unmarked vehicles, and will be checking for violations including driving under the influence of alcohol, driving while impaired, and other DUI/DWI violations.

Howard County DUI/DWI’s

In 2011, Howard County Police arrested 1,391 individuals for driving under the influence. In 2011, 25 percent of Howard County’s fatal collisions were alcohol related. Drinking and driving carries harsh penalties.

DUI Checkpoints and Constitutional Protections

A DUI checkpoint allows police officers to observe drivers and their cars for evidence of drunk driving. Under the law, police cannot stop a vehicle unless there is a “reasonable and articulable suspicion” that the driver or the vehicle is violating the law. Sobriety checkpoints involve the stopping of vehicles without this showing.

Many states outlaw the sobriety checkpoints. DUI checkpoints may violate an innocent driver’s constitutional rights.

Ellicott City, Columbia, and Howard County Drunk Driving Lawyer

Attorney Jonathan Scott Smith is a top rated drunk driving lawyer and former prosecutor with more than 30 years of experience in criminal law and drunk driving cases. Before going into private practice, attorney Smith worked as a Maryland prosecutor and learned how the state prepares criminal matters. He has handled 1,000’s of drunk driving cases.

Mr. Smith’s extensive trial experience — and track record of successful results — 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, a lawyer’s years in practice, disciplinary history, professional achievements and industry recognition. Attorney Smith is considered to be one of the best criminal defense and DUI drunk driving attorneys in Columbia, Ellicott City, and Howard County.

Contact Our Office for Aggressive DUI Defense

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

Filed Under: Criminal Defense, criminal defense lawyer, criminal lawyer, defense attorney, District Court for Howard County, Drunk Driving, DUI, DWI, MVA Hearing, traffic charges

Howard County Police Announce Sobriety Check Point

July 3, 2012 by jsmith

DUI Check Point Scheduled in Howard County

Howard Police announced that they will be conducting a sobriety checkpoint at an undisclosed location to promote awareness and reduce the number of drunk drivers on the roads.

The checkpoint will be clearly marked with signs, lights and uniformed officers. Officers will utilize both marked and unmarked vehicles and will be checking for violations including DUI, DWI, driving under the influence of alcohol, driving while impaired, failure to use seat belts and failure to use child safety seats.

Howard County DUI Arrests from Sobriety Checkpoint

In 2011, Howard County Police arrested 1,391 individuals for driving under the influence. Some of these arrests resulted from sobriety check point DUI/DWI arrests. Twenty-five percent of Howard County’s fatal collisions in 2011 were alcohol-related.

Howard County and Ellicott City DUI DWI Defense Lawyer

A sobriety check point arrest is complicated and requires an experienced sobriety check point lawyer. Attorney Jonathan Scott Smith is a top rated attorney and former prosecutor with more than 30 years of experience in criminal law and drunk driving cases. Before going into private practice, attorney Smith worked as a Maryland prosecutor and learned how the state prepares criminal matters. He has handled 1,000’s of drunk driving cases.

Mr. Smith’s extensive trial experience — and track record of successful results in DUI/DWI and driving under the influence 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, a lawyer’s years in practice, disciplinary history, professional achievements and industry recognition. Attorney Smith is considered to be one of the best criminal defense and DUI drunk driving attorneys in Columbia, Ellicott City, and Howard County.

Contact Our Office

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

Filed Under: Criminal Defense, criminal defense lawyer, criminal lawyer, defense attorney, Drunk Driving, DUI, DWI, Uncategorized

Glen Burnie Man and Lexington Park Woman Indicted by a Howard County Jury for the Non-Fatal Shooting of a Columbia Man during a Drug Deal that Went Bad

April 24, 2012 by Jonathan Smith

Drug Charge Defense in Columbia, Ellicott City, and Howard County, MD

drugs
Drug dealing is not only a crime, it is a dangerous business. According to the Baltimore Sun, a man and a woman were indicted by a Howard County jury for shooting a man after an alleged drug deal went bad. Although the motivation for the shooting is not yet known, police have indicated that drugs, specifically large quantities of marijuana, were involved.

Eric Brandon Miller and Zehra Senel Oztas were allegedly involved in a drug deal with a Columbia man named Lee. Police believe Lee was wounded during a drug deal where he was trying to sell a substantial quantity of marijuana to Miller and Oztas. The man and woman accused of the shooting are facing charges of armed robbery, conspiracy to commit armed robbery, first-degree assault and use of a handgun for a felony or violent crime, according to the Baltimore Sun.

Drug dealing is not only a crime, but dangerous. If you are charged with dealing drugs in Maryland, including:

Marijuana
Crack Cocaine
Heroin
Methamphetamines (Meth)
Club drugs (e.g., X, ecstasy)
Prescription narcotics
Other drug related charges

You should seek counsel from an experienced Maryland criminal defense attorney.

Attorney Jonathan Scott Smith is a top rated former criminal prosecutor, with over 30 years of courtroom experience. He has handled thousands of criminal cases, including drug and drunk driving cases. You can see what many satisfied clients have to say about the job he did for them. In addition, you can check the results in real cases he has handled.

Contact Our Office

Attorney Jonathan Scott Smith represents clients in 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: Criminal Defense, criminal defense lawyer, criminal lawyer, defense attorney, Drunk Driving, DUI, DWI Tagged With: administrative license revocation, alcohol, alcoholic beverage, alcoholism, attorney, breath tests, breathalyzer, columbia criminal defense lawyer, Criminal Defense, criminal defense lawyer, criminal lawyer maryland, criminal marijuana possession charges, drives, driving, driving under the influence, drug charge attorney, drug charges, drug charges lawyer, Drunk Driving, drunk driving defense lawyer, drunk driving law, drunk driving laws, drunk driving lawyer, dui defense lawyer, howard county, howard county criminal defense lawyer, impaired driving, jonathan scott smith, law, maryland, maryland drug charges, maryland drug charges attorney, maryland drunk driving, maryland drunk driving lawyer, maryland laws, md, road transport, sobriety checkpoint, traffic collision

DUI and DWI Penalties in Maryland

April 17, 2012 by Jonathan Smith

DWI and DUI Defense in Columbia, Ellicott City, and Howard County, MD

dui
While DUI and DWI are synonymous in most states, that is not the case in Maryland, which does draw a distinction between Driving While Impaired (DWI) and Driving Under the Influence (DUI). You will be charged with a DWI if your Blood Alcohol Content (BAC) is .07 percent; and you will be charged with a DUI if your BAC is .08 percent or higher. Although both Maryland DWI and Maryland DUI carry stiff penalties for a conviction, the conviction of a DUI carries more harsh penalties.

The following are the parameters of the penalties if you are convicted of a DWI in Maryland:

DWI First Arrest Conviction

Up to 2 months in jail (6 months if transporting a minor)
Up to $500 fine ($1000 if transporting a minor)
Minimum 6 months suspended drivers license

DWI Second Arrest Conviction

Up to 1 year in jail
Up to $500 fine ($2000 if transporting a minor)
Minimum 1 year suspended drivers license

The following are the parameters of the penalties if you are convicted of a DUI in Maryland:

DUI First Arrest Conviction

Up to 1 year in jail (2 years if transporting a minor)
Up to $1000 fine ($2000 if transporting a minor)
Minimum 6 months suspended drivers license

DUI Second Arrest Conviction

Up to 2 year in jail (3 years if transporting a minor)
Up to $2000 fine ($3000 if transporting a minor)
Minimum 1 year suspended drivers license (if within 5 years of previous DUI conviction)

DUI Third (and Subsequent) Arrest Conviction(s)

Up to 3 year in jail (4 years if transporting a minor)
Up to $3000 fine ($4000 if transporting a minor)
Minimum 18 months suspended drivers license

DUI and DWI charges are serious in Maryland. If is important to retain a skilled criminal defense lawyer as soon as possible after being charged with a DUI or DWI, or other alcohol or drug related charge, in Maryland

Attorney Jonathan Scott Smith is a top rated former criminal prosecutor, with over 30 years of courtroom experience. He has handled thousands of drunk driving cases. You can see what many satisfied clients have to say about the job he did for them. In addition, you can check the results in real cases he has handled.

Contact Our Office

Filed Under: Criminal Defense, criminal defense lawyer, criminal lawyer, defense attorney, Drunk Driving, DUI, DWI Tagged With: administrative license revocation, alcohol, alcoholic beverage, alcoholism, attorney, breath tests, breathalyzer, drives, driving, driving under the influence, Drunk Driving, drunk driving defense lawyer, drunk driving law, drunk driving laws, drunk driving lawyer, DUI, dui attorney, dui defense lawyer, dui lawyer, dui penalties, dui repeat offender, dwi attorney maryland, dwi maryland, dwi penalties, DWI Second Arrest, howard county, howard county dui lawyer, impaired driving, jonathan scott smith, law, maryland, maryland drunk driving, maryland DUI law, maryland laws, md, road transport, sobriety checkpoint, traffic collision

Howard County Teen Drivers and Traffic Charges

March 26, 2012 by jsmith

Howard County teenage drivers, like teen drivers everywhere, are more likely to take risks than other motorists when driving; more likely to text while driving; and more likely to speed than other drivers. Most teen deaths occur in car crashes between 3 p.m. and midnight. That’s why the Howard County Police offer various educational programs like collision avoidance training, and classes to prevent teenage drivers from drinking and driving.

Unfortunately, many teen drivers in Howard County still receive traffic charges for speeding, reckless driving, violation of alcohol restriction, and drunk driving, including DUI and DWI. A conviction of any traffic charge might result in loss of a provisional driver’s license. Even though a teenager is charged with a traffic violation in Howard County, they still need an experienced traffic ticket lawyer to defend them. In many cases, it is the parents who end up bearing the brunt when their teenager loses a driver’s license and a parent must drive their child back and forth to school or to a job.

Howard County Traffic Ticket Lawyer

Jonathan Scott Smith is a Howard County traffic ticket lawyer with many years of experience representing teenage drivers in traffic violation cases. Many of our new cases are referred to us by former clients or by other attorneys. He fights hard for his clients. That’s why many satisfied clients think so highly of him. Mr. Smith’s results speak for themselves.

Mr. Smith’s extensive trial experience — and track record of successful results — 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 defense and traffic ticket attorneys in Columbia, Ellicott City, and Howard County.

To schedule a meeting, contact our office by e-mail or call us at 410-740-0101.

Defense of Traffic Violations

We handle all traffic tickets for individuals throughout the Baltimore metro area. We defend teen drivers charged with any type of traffic offense, including:

DUI / DWI or drunk driving
Speeding
Negligent driving
Reckless driving
Violation of license restriction, including violation of alcohol restriction

Contact Our Office

For an appointment, contact us by e-mail or call us at 410-740-0101. Put an experienced Maryland traffic violations defense lawyer to work for you. We accept Visa, MasterCard, Discover and American Express.

Filed Under: Criminal Defense, criminal defense lawyer, criminal lawyer, defense attorney, driving with suspended license, DUI, DWI, reckless driving, traffic charges, Uncategorized Tagged With: provisional driver's license

Drivers Charged with DUI and Driving While Suspended in St. Patrick’s Day Sobriety Checkpoint

March 21, 2012 by jsmith

On St. Patrick’s Day, Howard County Police conducted a sobriety checkpoint. Two drivers were charged with drunk driving, and another was charged with driving while license suspended. The checkpoint was located on eastbound Maryland Route 175 at Columbia Gateway Drive. A total of 858 vehicles passed through, according to information provided by the Howard County Police. These are just a few of the many drivers charged with driving drunk, DUI, DWI, and driving while suspended in Howard County each year.

Howard County DUI Lawyer

Mr. Smith is a top rated drunk driving lawyer and former prosecutor with more than 30 years of experience in criminal law and drunk driving cases. Before going into private practice, attorney Smith worked as a Maryland prosecutor and learned how the state prepares criminal matters. He has handled 1,000’s of drunk driving cases. Mr. Smith knows the penalties for driving drunk are severe, and he aggressively fights for his clients charged with DUI drunk driving charges.

Drunk Driving Defense

We have protected the rights of thousands of people in court, and have a proven track record of success. Because of our reputation for thorough preparation and the highest level of personal service, many of our new cases come to us as referrals from other attorneys or from satisfied clients. 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.

Mr. Smith’s extensive trial experience — and track record of successful results — 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 defense and DUI drunk driving attorneys in Columbia, Ellicott City, and Howard County.

For a private consultation, contact our office by e-mail or call us at 410-740-0101.

Learn more about Maryland DUI law, DUI Penalties and Selecting a DUI Lawyer.

Howard County Drunk Driving (DUI / DWI) Defense Practice

We handle all matters related to drunk driving charges, from the Motor Vehicle Administration (MVA) hearing to determine the status of your driving privileges, to the criminal proceeding to establish guilt or innocence and punishment. We represent people charged with their first DUI, as well as repeat offenders.

When you hire us to defend you against a charge of drinking and driving, we will conduct a thorough examination of the facts and circumstances of your arrest, starting with a determination of whether there was probable cause to make the traffic stop. We will review police reports and verify that field sobriety and blood alcohol or breath tests were done legally and properly. If legal errors were made, or your constitutional rights were violated, we will fight to prevent the prosecution from using the evidence and/or seek dismissal of charges.

We aggressively represent people charged with:

DUI, or driving under the influence of alcohol
DUI Per Se, or driving under the influence of alcohol per se
DWI, or driving while impaired by alcohol
Operating a vehicle while under the influence of drugs
Driving while under the influence of a controlled dangerous substance (CDS)

Contact Our Office

Filed Under: Criminal Defense, criminal defense lawyer, criminal lawyer, defense attorney, driving with suspended license, Drunk Driving, DUI, DWI, traffic charges Tagged With: columbia criminal defense lawyer, drinking and driving, driving under the influence, driving while impaired, Drunk Driving, drunk driving defense, DUI, dui lawyer, DWI, dwi defense lawyer, ellicott city criminal lawyer, ellicott city dui lawyer, howard county, howard county criminal defense lawyer, howard county dui lawyer, maryland dui lawyer, penalty for drunk driving

Jonathan Scott Smith Criminal Defense Firm