At this time of year, we stop to give thanks: for our friends and families, for meaningful work, and for valued clients like you. We are truly grateful that you choose to work with us and we are dedicated to helping you achieve your goals.

We wish you all the blessings of a peaceful holiday with those you love. Happy Thanksgiving!

Howard County law enforcement officers arrested a local teacher in early January, charging him with operating a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol. It’s the second time in four years for the social studies teacher, Christian Callender. Howard County Police say Callender was involved in a single vehicle crash at approximately 7:45 in the morning on January 5, as he was headed to Glenelg High School. Callender was apparently late for classes, which started at 7:20 a.m.

According to police records, Callender was the only party in a crash at the traffic circle at the intersection of Ten Oaks and Brighton Dam roads. Callender, who has taught in the Howard County schools for 15 years, is currently on administrative leave from Glenelg High. Court records indicate he was convicted of drunk driving in 2012 after he was pulled over for speeding.

Top-Rated Criminal Defense Attorney in Ellicott City and Columbia, MD

Attorney 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). Smith 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 2012 Top Rated Lawyer by The American Lawyer Magazine and Martindale-Hubbell.

Baltimore County, Maryland, Criminal Defense Lawyer

At the law office of Jonathan Scott Smith, we have the skill, knowledge, experience and resources to help you protect your constitutional 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.

An 18-year-old Washington, DC, native has been arrested and charged after an investigation into the killing of another man at a hotel on Laurel Fort Meade Road in late June. Malachi Tavon Ellis was taken into custody, charged with first and second degree murder, armed robbery, assault and conspiracy charges. He is being held without bond. The shooting occurred on June 25. Police say they believe a second person was involved in the shooting and have obtained a warrant for the arrest of Brandon Anthony Holmes, 28, also of Washington, DC.

Though details of the incident are sketchy, law enforcement officers say Ellis and Holmes had an altercation with Dalan Plummer, 19, of Landover Hills. The shooting apparently occurred at the Knights Inn around 3 pm on June 25. The perpetrators were allegedly caught by a surveillance camera at a nearby fast food restaurant just before the shooting.

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

Attorney Jonathan Scott Smith, a Maryland Super Lawyer, has protected 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 2012 Top Rated Lawyer by The American Lawyer Magazine and Martindale-Hubbell.

Baltimore County, Maryland, Criminal Defense Attorney

If you have been charged with any type of crime, we can help. 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.

Police have arrested and charged a 46-year-old Laurel man with human trafficking involving two girls aged 13 and 15. Arthur Coleman has been also cited for prostitution, sexual solicitation of a minor, sexual abuse of a minor and attempted second degree sexual assault. Police busted Coleman after tracking him through an online advertisement.

Officers say they set up a sting with a female detective posing as a young girl. The detective contacted the 13-year-old, saying that she wanted to make money with her, and arranged to meet her and an older man in Columbia, Maryland. When they met, both the 13 and the 15-year-old girl were in the car with Coleman. After police took Coleman into custody, a search of his vehicle produced condoms, cash and a number of cell phones. Police also say they have evidence that Coleman rented hotel rooms in Maryland, Virginia and Washington, DC, using them as liaisons for the young girls to have sex for money.

Top-Rated Criminal Defense Attorney in Maryland

Jonathan Scott Smith, a Maryland Super Lawyer, has aggressively protected the rights of criminal defendants in Maryland for more than 30 years. He carries a perfect 10.0 Superb rating as a litigation attorney from AVVO, and has received the Client’s Choice Award from AVVO, with an average client review of 5 stars (the highest rating possible). He is also widely respected by his colleagues in the legal profession, earning an AV-rating under Martindale-Hubbell’s Peer Review Rating System. Smith was also recognized as a 2012 Top Rated Lawyer by The American Lawyer Magazine and Martindale-Hubbell.

Ellicott City Criminal Defense Lawyer

If you or someone you love faces criminal charges, contact our office 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.

A 50-year-old Baltimore man has been charged with second degree murder in connection with the disappearance of another Baltimore man last November. Anne Arundel police officials say that Richard Wayne Brooks is being held without bond in the apparent death of Mark Hatmaker, of Baltimore County. Hatmaker’s family members say the last time they saw him was November 24. According to officers, Hatmaker met with Brooks the same day he disappeared, and was known to have a large amount of cash on him at the time.

During the course of an investigation, police learned that Brooks asked a friend to rent a U-Haul truck for him on the day Hatmaker disappeared and that Brooks had purchased 45 gallon heavy duty bags, a 9×12 tarp and polypropylene tape. Police obtained a search warrant for the U-Haul and found evidence that there had been a large amount of human blood in the storage area. They then obtained a search warrant of a motor home belonging to Brooks, where they found more evidence of human blood and tissue, and matched it to Hatmaker.

Top-Tier Criminal Defense Lawyer in Columbia and Ellicott City, MD

Attorney Jonathan Scott Smith, a Maryland Super Lawyer, has protected the rights of criminal defendants in Maryland for more than 30 years. With a stellar 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). Smith has a perfect 10.0 Superb rating as a litigation attorney from AVVO, and has also earned 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 2012 Top Rated Lawyer by The American Lawyer Magazine and Martindale-Hubbell.

Baltimore County, Maryland, Criminal Defense Attorney

If you have been arrested and charged with a crime, we can help. 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.

A Prince Frederick man has been charged with attempted second degree murder, assault and reckless endangerment after shooting a 9-year-old in the head with a BB gun. Brandon Lee Stallings, 18, was charged after the April 5 incident at his grandparents’ house in Edgewater. Police learned of the assault the day after it happened, when the boy was taken to Baltimore Washington Medical Center for treatment.

According to police reports, Stallings, who has lived with his grandparents for a couple years, was there with the victim and two other boys watching television. Stallings apparently had the gun in his hands and pumped it a number of times, even though one of the other boys had asked him to put the gun down. The gun discharged and hit the 9-year-old in the temple. Adults in the home were notified, but an initial check seemed to indicate that the boy was okay. The next day, though, the boy’s mother took him to the hospital, where it was determined that the BB had penetrated his skull.

Stallings claimed that he was playing with the gun when it accidentally discharged. His mother, though, says she does not believe it was an accident.

Maryland Criminal Defense Attorney

Maryland Super Lawyer Jonathan Scott Smith has fought for the rights of criminal defendants for more than 30 years. Because of his record and reputation, he has been a multiple recipient of 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 is also respected by his colleagues in the legal profession, who have given him an AV-rating under Martindale-Hubbell’s Peer Review Rating System. Smith was also recognized as a 2012 Top Rated Lawyer by The American Lawyer Magazine and Martindale-Hubbell.

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

We aggressively advocate for people who have been charged with any type of 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.