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.
