Animal Cruelty Charges Filed Against Dog Owners

On December 22, 2012, at approximately 3:54 p.m., Anne Arundel County Animal Control received a call regarding an at large dog, according to the Anne Arundel County Police Department. An Animal Control Officer responded and recovered a stray dog named “Nicholas,” a Shepherd mix. On December 28, 2012, the owners of the animal, Stephen Harr and his wife Cheri Harr, contacted Animal Control. Animal Control confirmed that they were the owners of the dog.

Investigation Alleges Basis for Animal Cruelty Charges

Police reported that further investigation revealed that the extent of the dog’s medical issues was believed to be the result of neglect and the failure to provide the animal with the proper medical care. Therefore, they applied for animal cruelty charges against the owners. Mr. Harr, an 11 year veteran of the Anne Arundel County Police, was placed on administrative duty with his police powers suspended pending the outcome of the investigation.

Case in Point: Unfounded Animal Cruelty Charges

Just because animal cruelty charges are filed does not mean that a pet owner is guilty. Loving pet owners can be falsely accused of animal abuse and/or neglect. Every person is presumed innocent and entitled to their day in court.

In one case, a woman was accused of 69 charges of animal abuse and neglect. She was defended by criminal lawyer Jonathan Scott Smith. Mr. Smith rejected the prosecution’s plea offer insisting that the accused plead guilty to numerous felony and misdemeanor animal abuse, animal neglect, and animal cruelty charges, and serve time in jail.

Some of the charges were dismissed before trial; others were thrown out by the judge during trial; and after 11 days of testimony, the jury found her not guilty of the 18 remaining charges. In short, the woman was cleared of all 69 felony and misdemeanor charges.

Animal Abuse and Neglect Defense Lawyer

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 animal abuse and neglect, and animal cruelty 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 Criminal Lawyer – Defense of Animal Cruelty Charges

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.
• “Client’s Choice Award” by AVVO, based on average client reviews of 5 stars — the highest client review possible.
• 2012 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 Our Office

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

Attorney Reviews Result in Super Lawyer Rating for Columbia MD Criminal Lawyer

Super Lawyer Jonathan Scott Smith, a criminal  lawyer in Columbia, Howard County, MD, was awarded the “Super Lawyer” designation for 2013 in recently completed attorney reviews.

Super Lawyers is an attorney reviews and rating service of outstanding lawyers from more than 70 practice areas who have attained a high-degree of peer recognition and professional achievement. The multi-phased selection process includes independent research, peer nominations and peer evaluations.

Attorney Reviews Involve Rigorous Selection Process

Super Lawyers selects attorneys using a rigorous, multiphase rating process. Peer nominations and evaluations are combined with third party research. Each candidate is evaluated on 12 indicators of peer recognition and professional achievement. Attorney selections are made on an annual, state-by-state basis.

Attorney Jonathan Scott Smith Recognized as Super Lawyer

Attorney Smith is a Columbia, Maryland, criminal attorney with more than 30 years of courtroom experience. He defends the rights and interests of people in criminal courts of Maryland. His clients have included judges and their family members, lawyers, law students, police officers and courthouse employees.

Top Rated Howard County Criminal Lawyer

Criminal defense lawyer Jonathan Scott Smith is a highly rated and experienced former prosecutor. Attorney Smith has received numerous top ratings in attorney reviews and lawyers ratings:

• Maryland Super Lawyer.
• “10.0 Superb” as a litigation attorney by AVVO.
• “AV-Preeminent” Peer Rating by Martindale-Hubbell Law Directory.
• “Client’s Choice Award” by AVVO, based on average client reviews of 5 stars — the highest client review possible.
• 2012 Top Rated Lawyer by The American Lawyer magazine and Martindale-Hubbell.

Contact a Criminal Attorney Howard County MD

If you need an experienced criminal defense lawyer, contact us online, or call 410-740-0101 now.

Sobriety Checkpoints are a Tool to Make DUI/DWI Arrests

The Prince George’s County Police Department announced that its officers will be out again this weekend searching for drunk drivers. The enforcement is a part of Project SOLO—Saving Our Loved Ones. In November, the police began participation with Project SOLO, a statewide drunk driving enforcement operation.

Locations of Sobriety Check Points in Prince George’s County

On Friday, December 7, 2012, the Prince George’s County Police will focus enforcement along the University Boulevard corridor.

On Saturday, December 8, 2012, police officers will saturate the area of Pennsylvania Avenue and Marlboro Pike in Forestville. The enforcement hours run from 9:00 pm to 3:00 am.

Sobriety Checkpoints Result in Drunk Driving Arrests

On November 21, 23 and 24, 2012, Prince George’s County police officers made 200 traffic stops, and issued more than 200 traffic citations. In addition, they made 12 DUI arrests.

Prince George’s County DUI DWI Defense Lawyer

An experienced sobriety check point 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

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.

Sobriety Checkpoints Lawyer Prince George’s County MD

Put the skill and experience of a former prosecutor to work 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.

Sobriety Checkpoints Used to Make DUI Arrests

The Howard County Police Department announced that it will conduct a sobriety checkpoint at an undisclosed location this weekend to promote awareness and reduce the number of drunk drivers on the roads. The checkpoint is part of the agency’s traffic safety initiative to keep Howard County roads safe.

The sobriety checkpoint will be clearly marked with signs, lights and uniformed officers. Howard County Police Officers will use both marked and unmarked vehicles.

DUI/DWI Arrests Made at Prior Sobriety Check Points

Howard County Police have routinely used  sobriety checkpoints as a method of making DUI/DWI arrests. Sobriety check points were utilized earlier this year.

Howard County and Ellicott City DUI DWI Defense Lawyer

Arrests resulting from sobriety checkpoints are complicated and require 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.

Sobriety Checkpoints Lawyer Howard County MD

Put the skill and experience of a former prosecutor to work 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.

Eight Men involved in Laurel Prostitution Arrests

On May 2, 2012, Howard County Police arrested eight men on prostitution charges on U. S. Route 1 in Laurel, according to a police department spokesperson. The Laurel prostitution arrests resulted from a “reverse prostitution” operation. Female police officers worked under cover in plain clothes and posed as prostitutes. Men were arrested on charges that they allegedly solicited prostitution.

What are the Penalties for Solicitation of Prostitution in Maryland?

Under Maryland law, it is illegal to solicit for prostitution. The crime is a misdemeanor. If convicted, the court can impose imprisonment not exceeding 1 year, or a fine not exceeding $500.00, or both.

Howard County Prostitution Arrest Photos

Many jurisdictions publish prostitution arrest photos in local newspapers, including alleged “johns”  or prospective customers of prostitutes, as well as the alleged prostitutes. The apparent purpose is to subject the people depicted in the photos to public shame and embarrassment, as a way of deterring them and others from engaging in similar conduct. Thus far, Howard County Police have issued press releases with the names of those arrested, but not their prostitution arrest photos.

What to do if you are Involved in Prostitution Arrests

If you or a family member has been arrested and charged with prostitution, or solicitation for prostitution, you need an experienced criminal defense lawyer. Many solicitation of prostitution cases hinge on whether the person arrested was directly soliciting prostitution, or whether they were entrapped by the words or conduct of an undercover police officer.

Top Rated Howard County, Columbia, and Ellicott City Criminal Lawyer

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 cases involving solicitation for prostitution and prostitution. 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 prostitution, 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 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 prostitution, solicitation for prostitution, 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.