Jonathan Scott Smith Top Rated Criminal Lawyer Howard County MD
Points of Distinction
- Over 40 Years of Courtroom Experience
- Former Prosecutor
- Author of Criminal Law Books for Lawyers
- Lectured and Trained Prosecutors
- Highest Rating for Legal Ability and Professional Ethics
Top Rated Criminal Lawyer Howard County MD
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 (Past 5 consecutive years), and selected within Top 100 in Maryland.
- “AV-Preeminent™*” (Highest peer rating for legal ability and ethics by Martindale-Hubbell Law Directory (every year since 1988).
- Client Distinction Award (Client Review Rating of 4.5 or higher on 5.0 scale – less than 4% of 900,000+ attorneys listed by Martindale-Hubbell).
- “Client’s Choice Award” by AVVO, based on average client reviews of 5 stars — the highest client review possible.
- Client Satisfaction Award, 10 Best Law Firms, American Institute of Criminal Law Attorneys.
- “10.0 Superb” attorney rating by AVVO.
These are the highest ratings possible for legal skill, ethical practice, a lawyer’s years in practice, disciplinary history, professional achievements, and industry recognition.
Experienced Criminal Lawyer Columbia MD
Attorney Jonathan Scott Smith has been in private law practice since 1984. Since that time, he has handled successfully a wide variety of criminal cases in Maryland district courts and circuit courts. He has tried hundreds of criminal cases to verdict, including numerous criminal jury trials, throughout the Baltimore and Washington Metropolitan areas. Mr. Smith has handled a full range of criminal cases, including an extensive number of drunk driving and other serious traffic cases; thefts; assaults; handgun charges; murder; rape and other sexual offenses; physical and sexual child abuse; burglaries; robberies; drugs and narcotics; and domestic violence. In addition, he has represented juveniles at intake conferences and in juvenile court.
Criminal defense attorney Jonathan Scott Smith also has handled successfully hundreds of Motor Vehicle Administration (MVA) hearings arising out of motor vehicle violations. These include hearings involving suspension, revocation, and reinstatement of driver’s licenses; drunk driving cases in which the motorists refused to take alcohol (breath or blood) tests; and drunk driving cases in which alcohol tests were taken with a result in excess of the legal limit.
Top Rated Former Criminal Prosecutor
Criminal lawyer Jonathan Scott Smith was employed as a prosecutor (Assistant State’s Attorney for Baltimore County) from 1980 to 1984. He prepared and prosecuted thousands of felony and misdemeanor criminal cases. This included an extensive number of jury and non-jury trials in Maryland district courts and circuit courts.
As a prosecutor in the circuit court, Mr. Smith prepared and tried a wide range of criminal cases. He was responsible for handling all aspects of criminal cases. Mr. Smith personally handled an extensive number of criminal jury trials. The charges included murder (including death penalty), rapes and other sexual offenses, armed robberies, burglaries, kidnappings, extortion, embezzlement, thefts, assaults, and drug offenses. He tried numerous non-jury trials as well. Mr. Smith prosecuted cases involving mandatory sentences and death penalty proceedings, and handled felony charge screenings; grand jury proceedings; and preliminary hearings.
As a prosecutor in the district court, Mr. Smith handled all aspects of thousands of cases until their conclusion, including an extensive number of non-jury trials. The cases included drunk driving and other serious traffic cases, thefts, assaults, drug possession, handgun charges, violation of probation hearings, and bail hearings.
Education
- Career Prosecutor Course, National College of District Attorney, Graduate, 1983
- University of Baltimore School of Law, J.D., With High Honors, 1979
- University of Baltimore, B.A., With High Honors, 1977
Bar Admissions
- Court of Appeals of Maryland
- United States District Court for the District of Maryland
- United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit
- United States Supreme Court
Publications
- Author, Maryland Criminal Procedure: Forms and Analysis (Second Edition), West Group (published June, 1995; Library of Congress #95-76883).
- Author, Maryland Criminal Procedure Forms, Lawyers Cooperative Publishing Company (published April, 1988; Library of Congress #87-83520).
- “The Status of the Defense of Diminished Capacity in Maryland Criminal Cases,” M.T.L.A. Trial Rptr., Vol. 4, No. 1 (Spring, 1982).
- Comment, State and Local Legislative Powers: An Analysis of the Conflict and Preemption Doctrines in Maryland, 8 U. Balt. L. Rev. 300 (1979).
Lectures / Presentations
- Presenter, “Case Preparation and Use of the Trial Notebook,” Hon. James Macgill American Inn of Court, Columbia, Maryland (1992).
- Lecturer, “Charging Documents,” University of Baltimore School of Law and Hoffberger Center for Professional Ethics Program: “Criminal Procedure: A ‘How To’ with an Emphasis on Ethics,” Baltimore, Maryland (1990).
- Lecturer, “Finding Weaknesses in the Prosecution’s Case,” Maryland State’s Attorneys’ Association, Basic Trial Advocacy Course, Marriottsville, Maryland (1989).
- Faculty Advisor, Career Prosecutor Course, National College of District Attorneys, Houston, Texas (1983).
- Faculty Advisor, Maryland State’s Attorneys’ Association, Trial Advocacy Training Program, Port Deposit, Maryland (1983).
- Lecturer, “Case Preparation, Interviewing Witnesses and Using a Trial Notebook,” Trial of Major Cases Seminar, Maryland State’s Attorneys’ Association, Frederick, Maryland (1983).
Professional Organizations
- Hon. James Macgill American Inn of Court (President: 1996-97)
- Maryland Association for Justice
- Maryland State Bar Association
- Howard County Bar Association
“I chose Mr. Smith because he was very honest and his knowledge of the law is superb. He explained every detail to me so that I understood everything along the way. He made me trust him and believe in him. His professional ethics and knowledge, thorough preparation, and care for the client are outstanding. His office staff was always very responsive and always got back to me right away.”
C.B. – Dunwoody, GA
“I’ve hired Mr. Smith twice now. He is always professional and was successful in both of my cases. When we left the courthouse after my last case, I told him, I don’t know if any of your clients ever told you this, but you’re worth every penny.”
M.M. – Columbia, MD
Contact a Top Rated Criminal Lawyer Columbia MD Howard County MD
To schedule an appointment, contact us online or call us at 410-740-0101. Put the skill and experience of a highly rated criminal lawyer and 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.
