Archives for November 2019

Baltimore Prosecutor Says Nearly 800 Convictions Tainted by Corruption

State’s Attorney Seeks to Have Convictions Dismissed

Baltimore Prosecutor Says Nearly 800 Convictions Tainted by CorruptionBaltimore State’s Attorney Marilyn Mosby says that almost 800 criminal cases, involving both convictions and plea bargains, should be thrown out because of corruption by police officers. Those cases were linked to 25 police officers who were part of the Gun Trace Task Force, a now-defunct entity. Initially, six officers pled guilty to corruption charges and two were convicted of similar charges. In the course of those trials, another 17 officers were implicated in the wrongdoing. The State’s Attorney office has reviewed more than 2,500 criminal prosecutions to date and found those officers to have “material” connections to 790 cases.

State officials began reviewing the cases more than two years ago and had previously requested that a number of convictions be vacated. Those requests were rejected, as existing law did not allow the State’s Attorney General the legal authority to vacate those cases. A new law was passed, which went into effect at the beginning of October, 2019, conferring that authority.

AV-Rated Columbia, MD Criminal Defense Lawyer

Proven trial attorney Jonathan Scott Smith offers more than three decades of experience to criminal defendants across the greater Baltimore area and throughout the State of Maryland. Smith has been AV-rated (the highest rating possible) by his colleagues in the legal profession under Martindale-Hubbell’s Peer Review Rating System every year since 1988 and also has received Martindale-Hubbell’s Client Distinction Award, given to less than 4% of all attorneys in Martindale-Hubbell’s directory. He’s been named one of the top 100 lawyers in Maryland by Super Lawyers and tabbed as a Top-Rated Lawyer by The American Lawyer magazine in 2012.

Attorney Smith has the experience, skill, knowledge and resources to protect your rights in any criminal matter. He’ll carefully gather, assess and preserve all evidence in your case and ensure that police and prosecutors followed the rules. He’ll aggressively protect your constitutional rights throughout the criminal process, from investigation and arrest to arraignment and trial. He’ll meet with and question all prospective witnesses, so that he can prepare and present the most convincing arguments in your defense.

The National Trial Lawyers Association, a “by invitation only” professional organization, has included him as one of the top 100 attorneys in Maryland. Smith also has a 10.0 (Superb) rating as a litigation attorney from AVVO and, with an average client review of 5 stars, has received AVVO’s Client’s Choice Award. He is a member of the Million Dollar Advocates Forum, given to less than 1% of all American lawyers who have obtained million-dollar judgments, awards or settlements.

Carroll County, Maryland Criminal Defense Attorney

Contact our office by e-mail or call 410-740-0101 for an appointment. We represent criminal defendants in Carroll County, Frederick County, Howard County, Baltimore County, Prince George’s County and Montgomery County in Maryland.

Happy Thanksgiving 2019

Happy Thanksgiving 2019

“Gratitude can transform common days into thanksgivings, turn routine jobs into joy, and change ordinary opportunities into blessings.” – William Arthur Ward

Two Die in Spate of Shootings in Baltimore

Six People Shot in Three Separate Incidents

Two Die in Spate of Shootings in BaltimoreBaltimore police reported two dead and four more injured in three shootings Monday night, October 28, 2019:

  • Around 5 p.m., a 27-year-old man was found at the corner of Garrison Boulevard and Ridgewood Avenue, apparently suffering from a gunshot wound.
  • Sometime later, according to law enforcement officials, two unidentified men entered the intersection of Pimlico Road and Quantico Avenue and opened fire on a number of people standing in front of a corner store. Three people suffered non-life-threatening injuries, but a fourth person sustained a gunshot to the head and was declared dead on the scene.
  • Some moments later, police were called to Sinai Hospital, where a woman had been admitted after suffering a gunshot wound to the chest. Police believe she was shot about a mile and a half from the earlier incident. The woman died at the hospital.

Proven Frederick County Criminal Defense Lawyer

For over 30 years, attorney Jonathan Scott Smith has fought to protect the constitutional rights of people charged with crimes in Baltimore and across the state of Maryland. Attorney Smith has been listed among the top 100 lawyers in Maryland by Super Lawyers, and was named a Top Rated Lawyer by The American Lawyer in 2012. He has maintained an AV rating (the highest rating possible) under Martindale-Hubbell’s Peer Review Rating System every year since 1988 and also has received Martindale-Hubbell’s Client Distinction Award, an honor given to less than 4% of all attorneys listed.

The American Institute of Personal Injury Attorneys has called Smith one of the “10 Best Attorneys in the State of Maryland in Client Satisfaction.” He’s a member of the Million Dollar Advocates Forum, an honor bestowed upon less than 1% of all American lawyers who have obtained million-dollar judgments, awards or settlements. The National Trial Lawyers Association, a “by invitation only” professional organization, lists him as one of the top 100 attorneys in Maryland. He also has a 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.

Attorney Smith has a thorough knowledge of criminal law and procedure. He will carefully investigate your case, gathering, evaluating and protecting all relevant evidence. He’ll assess the actions of law enforcement officers, ensuring that they did not violate your constitutional rights.

Results-Oriented Criminal Defense Attorney in the Metropolitan Baltimore Area

At the law offices of Jonathan Scott Smith, we fight for the rights of criminal defendants throughout Baltimore County and the surrounding communities. Contact us online or call 410-740-0101 to arrange a meeting. We handle cases throughout Anne Arundel County, Carroll County, Frederick County, Howard County, Baltimore County, Prince George’s County and Montgomery County in Maryland.

Happy Veterans Day 2019

Happy Veterans Day 2019

“Honoring the sacrifices many have made for our country in the name of freedom and democracy is the very foundation of Veterans Day.” – Charles B. Rangel

ADDRESS :

  • Jonathan Scott Smith 10490 Little Patuxent Parkway, Suite 200 ,Columbia, MD 21044-4960

  • Call for consultation 410-740-0101