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Charges Dropped in Gun Possession Prosecution Involving Indicted Officer

March 30, 2017 by

Charges Dropped in Gun Possession Prosecution Involving Indicted Officer

The first repercussions of the indictment of seven Baltimore police officers on federal racketeering charges have been felt. Authorities say a number of pending criminal prosecutions were abandoned, as the credibility of the officers was perceived to be suspect. In addition, a man serving a three month sentence for gun possession charges was released from jail and all charges were dismissed.

Quinton McNeil, 22, was released from jail midway through a 90 day sentence, after prosecutors determined that the charges against him were based solely on the testimony of two of the indicted officers.

AV-Rated Ellicott City Criminal Defense Attorney

Maryland Super Lawyer Jonathan Scott Smith has aggressively represented criminal defendants in Maryland for more than 30 years. He’ll be your advocate at all stages of a criminal prosecution, from arrest to arraignment to trial. He’ll fully investigate your case, looking at how police and prosecutors gathered evidence against you. He’ll review all police reports and question witnesses, so that he can prepare and present the most effective defense at trial. He has the experience to negotiate a plea bargain, if that’s in your best interests. But he’s always ready, willing and able to protect your rights before a judge and jury. He’ll make sure that there was probable cause for any search or seizure and that you were properly advised of your Constitutional rights if taken into custody.

Because of his strong record and reputation for effective advocacy, he has been awarded the Client’s Choice Award from AVVO, with an average client review of 5 stars (the highest rating possible). He also has a perfect 10.0 Superb rating as a litigation attorney from AVVO. Smith was also recognized as a 2012 Top-Rated Lawyer by The American Lawyer Magazine and by Martindale-Hubbell.

Proven Montgomery County, Maryland Criminal Defense Lawyer

When you face criminal charges, you want someone who will aggressively 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.

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Baltimore Police Officers Charged with Racketeering

March 10, 2017 by

A federal grand jury has indicted seven Baltimore police officers, all members of an elite task force, charging them with theft, extortion, fraud and filing false police reports. One of the officers has also been charged with trafficking drugs. Prosecutors say the seven men often made illegal traffic stops or engaged in illegal search and seizure, taking drugs and cash for personal use or to sell. The indictment alleged that many of the victims had not committed any crime, but were simply victims of wrongdoing by the officers. The indictment also alleges that the policemen submitted bogus overtime, often claiming to be working while they were on vacation. Between them, the seven officers allegedly took home around $400,000 in fraudulent overtime in just one year.

Many local criminal defense attorneys say the arrests jeopardize a number of convictions over the last few years. They say that any case these officers were involved in may be suspect, as the officers’ testimony will likely be considered unreliable.

Top-Rated Maryland Criminal Defense Lawyer

For more than three decades, attorney Jonathan Scott Smith has successfully protected the rights of people facing criminal prosecution in Maryland. He takes a comprehensive approach to criminal defense, carefully gathering and preserving all evidence in your case. He’ll review police reports to ensure that police followed proper procedures and that your constitutional rights were not violated.

Attorney Smith is well-respected among clients and colleagues, earning recognition as a Maryland Super Lawyer, as well as an AV-rating under Martindale-Hubbell’s Peer Review Rating System (the top rating possible). Honored as a 2012 Top Rated Lawyer by The American Lawyer Magazine, he has also received the Client’s Choice Award from AVVO, with an average client review of 5 stars (the highest rating possible). He also holds a 10.0 Superb rating as a litigation attorney from AVVO.

Experienced Baltimore County Criminal Defense Attorney

Let us help protect your rights in a criminal matter. Contact our office by e-mail or call 410-740-0101 to set up an appointment. We defend people throughout Howard County, Baltimore County, Carroll County, Frederick County, Prince Georges County and Montgomery County in Maryland.

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Suspect in New Year’s Eve Murder Dies after Self-Inflicted Wound

January 27, 2017 by

boy-in-depression

A 15-year-old Howard County boy, the suspect in a New Year’s Eve killing in Ellicott City, has died of self-inflicted wounds. The youth apparently shot himself in the head after firing shots at a 16-year-old neighbor and her mother.

According to police, the girl’s mother had picked her up from a New Year’s Eve party some time after midnight and returned home. Moments later, she heard noises in her daughter’s bedroom and went in to see what was happening. She discovered her daughter struggling with the young man, who was wearing a mask. When the mother confronted the intruder, he shot her and her daughter, then shot himself.

Police say they have no evidence to suggest any relationship or connection between the suspect and the girl, but are investigating whether the boy may have been involved in a string of burglaries in the neighborhood in recent weeks. They say that the gun used was stolen from another residence on Marybeth Way.

Ellicott City, MD 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 Maryland

We offer aggressive defense to anyone charged with or under investigation for a 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.

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Baltimore Police Investigate First Homicides of 2017

January 20, 2017 by

police-investigate

Just hours into 2017, Baltimore police are investigating two unrelated homicides.

Just after 3 pm, officers heard shots in the 1800 block of West Fayette Street. When they arrived at the scene, they found a 20-year-old male with fatal wounds to his upper torso.

Just two hours later, in the 1000 block of North Mount Street, another officer hear gunfire and saw a suspect running with a gun. He found an adult male with gunshot wound in a car nearby. The man was taken to a hospital, but died from his injuries.

The number of homicides in Baltimore decreased in 2016 from the year before. Officials reported 319 intentional killings in the city in 2016, compared with a record 344 the year before. In 2014, the city reported just 211 killings, the second lowest number in nearly half a century.

Top-Rated Criminal Defense Attorney in Columbia, MD

Attorney Jonathan Scott Smith, a Maryland Super Lawyer, has fought for the rights of criminal defendants in Maryland for more than three decades. 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 Lawyer

If you have been charged or are under investigation for 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.

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Maryland Man Acquitted of Attempted Murder Due to “Involuntary Intoxication”

December 4, 2016 by

criminal

A Carroll County man has been found “not criminally responsible” for the attempted murder of his wife after his attorneys argued that he’d been taking Chantix, a prescription medication to help him stop smoking. The man’s attorneys told the court that the pharmaceutical product had caused the defendant to have “a chemical imbalance.” Prosecutors did not challenge that assertion and instead allowed the man to plead guilty to a reduced charge.

One of the requirements to be convicted of a crime is that you must have had “mens rea,” or a guilty mind. If you are incapable of understanding that your actions are criminal, for any reason, you are considered to lack the capacity to commit a crime. With the Carroll County man, the court essentially ruled that he did not know what he was doing at the time and could not be held criminally responsible.

Top-Rated Violent Crimes Defense Attorney in Maryland

For more than 30 years, attorney Jonathan Scott Smith has successfully protected the rights of people facing criminal prosecution in Maryland. He takes a comprehensive approach to criminal defense, carefully gathering and evaluating the facts of your case. He’ll confirm that police followed proper procedures, so that your constitutional rights were protected.

Attorney Smith has earned a solid reputation with clients and colleagues, including recognition as a Maryland Super Lawyer, as well as an AV-rating under Martindale-Hubbell’s Peer Review Rating System (the top rating possible). Honored as a 2012 Top Rated Lawyer by The American Lawyer Magazine, he has also received the Client’s Choice Award from AVVO, with an average client review of 5 stars (the highest rating possible). He also holds a 10.0 Superb rating as a litigation attorney from AVVO.

Experienced Ellicott City, MD, Criminal Defense Attorney

To learn how we can help protect your rights in a criminal matter, contact our office by e-mail or call 410-740-0101 to schedule an appointment. We defend people throughout Howard County, Baltimore County, Carroll County, Frederick County, Prince Georges County and Montgomery County in Maryland.

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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

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

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.

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: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Defending Against False Allegations of Domestic Violence

December 30, 2011 by

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Accusations of domestic violence can have both criminal and civil consequences. Civilly you could be subjected to the restrictions of a domestic restraining order, also known as a protective order. And criminally you may face assault and/or battery charges.

If you are convicted of domestic abuse you can be fined and put in jail. Even if you aren’t convicted on a criminal charge you could be subject to a protection order that requires you to move out of your home and have no contact with your spouse or minor children. Civil domestic violence matters can also affect divorce and custody matters, and can result in serious consequences including:

  • Denial of custody of minor children
  • Protective orders against you
  • Mandatory participation in anger management or other treatment
  • Civil liberties restrictions
  • Surrender of firearms

If you have been falsely accused of domestic violence, you need to:

  • Understand the gravity of the situation and never assume that, because the charges are false, you will not be convicted.
  • Prepare for the expense of your defense. Your Maryland domestic violence defense attorney needs to build a strong defense, which may include costs to obtain records, serve subpoenas, and retain private investigators.
  • Document everything by writing down every detail you remember, possible witnesses, receipts and anything else related to the charges. The more information you can give your attorney, the more effective the defense he will be able to mount for you.
  • Know your rights. If you are not arrested, you are free to leave. If you have been arrested, you have a right to an attorney and to remain silent. Law enforcement is not on your side, and a simple explanation can end up causing more problems.

Talk to a Howard County criminal defense attorney today

Allegations of domestic violence, even if false, are very serious and you need to take such charges seriously. Contact Jonathan Scott Smith online or call 410-740-0101 to discuss your case.

Filed Under: Criminal Defense, criminal defense lawyer, criminal lawyer, defense attorney, Domestic Assault, Domestic Violence Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , ,

Types of Hate Crimes

November 30, 2011 by

hate-crime

A hate crime is a crime against a person or group that is motivated by the victim’s racial, religious, ethnic or gender group. For a criminal act to be a hate crime, it must meet any of the following criteria:

  • During the crime, racial, religious or ethnic statements are made
  • Hate group symbols are displayed
  • Motivation for the crime is to intimidate, harm or injure a particular group or organization
  • The victim perceives it to be a hate crime

      • Federal law covers hate crimes under civil rights statutes and provides for more severe sentencing on convictions if the defendant selected the victim because of:

      • Race
      • Color
      • Religion
      • National origin
      • Ethnicity
      • Gender
      • Disability
      • Sexual orientation

      In Maryland, it is against the law to:

      • Vandalize any religious property
      • Interfere by force or threat with anyone’s exercise of their religious beliefs
      • Damage or destroy anyone’s property because of their race or beliefs
      • Harass or commit a crime against any person because of their race, color, religious beliefs or national origin

      And the state of Maryland, like the federal government, includes more severe sentencing when a person is convicted of a hate crime.

      When you need a strong defense, contact a Howard County criminal defense attorney

      The very nature of a hate crime arouses enormous public outrage and media speculation. Unfortunately for the defendant in a hate crimes case, the negative publicity and public opinion can make it difficult to receive a fair trial. Merely being accused of such a crime can ruin your reputation, endanger your job and even splinter your family. And the need for an experienced Maryland criminal defense attorney is vital.

      If you have been accused of a hate crime contact Jonathan Scott Smith online or call 410-740-0101 to discuss your case with an attorney who fight aggressively for you.

Filed Under: Criminal Defense, criminal defense lawyer, criminal lawyer, defense attorney, Hate Crime Tagged With: , , , , , , , ,

What Is Domestic Violence in Maryland?

October 31, 2011 by

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Domestic violence laws apply to a wide range of behaviors committed by one intimate partner against another. But at its core, domestic violence is the use of force or duress by one person to control another. Following are the forms of domestic abuse with Maryland’s domestic violence law:

  • Physical abuse. This is defined as (1) an act that causes serious bodily harm, or (2) an act that places a person in fear of imminent serious bodily harm. This can include hitting, kicking, choking, grabbing, pinching, shoving, punching and using weapons against the victim.
  • Sexual abuse. This is forcing another to engage in sexual acts against their will and without their consent. It includes attempted or completed rape or sexual offenses.
  • Verbal threats. This includes threats of bodily harm.
  • False Imprisonment. This is the confinement or detention of a person against that person’s will, accomplished by force or threat of force, or deception.
  • Stalking. This is a malicious course of conduct that includes approaching or pursuing another where the person intends to place, or knows or reasonably should have known, the conduct would place another person in reasonable fear:
    • Of serious bodily injury; an assault; actual or attempted rape or sexual offense; false imprisonment; or death, or
    • That a third person likely will suffer any of the acts listed in the preceding paragraph.

A common misconception is that women are believed to be the majority of victims of domestic abuse. However, many men have also been victims of domestic abuse. Abuse can be frequent or infrequent, although typically it escalates over time and constitutes a pattern of behavior.

Contact a Columbia domestic violence defense attorney

If you have been charged with or are under investigation for domestic abuse, it is vital you retain an experienced Maryland criminal defense attorney immediately. A domestic abuse charge can result in your having to move out of your home and being denied contact with your children. Such a charge can also ruin your reputation and endanger your job. To talk to a lawyer who understands what is at stake, contact Jonathan Scott Smith online or call 410-740-0101 today to schedule a consultation.

Filed Under: Criminal Defense, criminal defense lawyer, criminal lawyer, Domestic Assault, Domestic Violence Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

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