Anne Arundel County police have arrested a West River man after a cybertip, charging him with possessing and distributing child pornography. The Department’s Child and Vulnerable Adult Abuse Unit received the information from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. Based on the lead, detectives obtained a warrant to search a home in the 200 block of Owensville Road in West River. The search revealed images of child pornography on computers in the home and indicated that the pictures had been distributed or shared on the Internet.

Pursuant to the search and seizure of evidence, authorities arrested a 22 year old man and charged him with numerous counts of possession of child pornography and one count of distribution of child pornography.

AV-Rated Ellicott City and Columbia, MD, Criminal Defense Attorney

Jonathan Scott Smith, a Maryland Super Lawyer, has fought for the rights of criminal defendants in Maryland for more than 30 years. 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.

Criminal Defense Attorney in Baltimore County, Maryland

At the law office of Jonathan Scott Smith, we provide aggressive defense in all criminal matters. 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.

Source – http://www.wbaltv.com/news/west-river-man-faces-child-porn-charges/32946148

Legislator Says Victims Should Have More Time

Charles County Delegate C.T. Wilson is leading the fight in the Maryland legislature to amend the state’s law governing how much time a victim of child sexual abuse has to sue their abusers. Under current law, victims must file a lawsuit by the time they are 25. Wilson is asking fellow legislators to raise that age to 38.

According to Wilson, denial is the biggest challenge that many victims face. “It takes so many years to even acknowledge that it happened,” he told reporters after he testified before fellow lawmakers in Annapolis. Child welfare advocates have been lobbying the Maryland legislature to change the law for more than 10 years, but have encountered repeated resistance, most notably from the Catholic Church. A representative of the Maryland Catholic Conference expressed concern that allowing victims to come forward “thirty years later” would be extremely difficult, as evidence could be scarce, alleged abusers may be dead, and organizations like the Catholic Church would be unfairly forced to defend themselves.

Top-Rated Ellicott City Criminal Defense Attorney

Jonathan Scott Smith, a Maryland Super Lawyer, has more than 30 years of experience successfully protecting the rights of criminal defendants. He was a recipient of the Client’s Choice Award from AVVO, based on an average client review of 5 stars (the highest rating possible). Smith 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 the Greater Baltimore Area

We aggressively represent people who have been charged with a criminal act. 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.

Source – http://baltimore.cbslocal.com/2015/05/11/md-politician-sexually-abused-as-child-wants-to-change-the-law/

Landover Man Killed by Officers after Domestic Dispute

A Landover man is dead after ramming two police vehicles during a high speed chase. He died on the scene of the shooting.

According to police reports, two officers were dispatched to a Central Avenue address to respond to a domestic dispute. The officers were advised in advance that the perpetrator had flashed a knife. When they came upon the scene, they saw Young in his car and tried to detain him, but he fled. Officers chased him to the 900 block of Nalley Road, when he intentionally rammed two police vehicles. The officers opened fire, killing Young.

According to unconfirmed reports, the Landover man had full custody of a 12-year-old daughter and was also the father of an 8-year-old boy.

Highly Respected Criminal Defense Attorney in the Baltimore Area

Jonathan Scott Smith has protected the rights of criminal defendants throughout Maryland for more than 30 years. 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). A Maryland Super Lawyer, Smith 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.

Ellicott City Criminal Defense Lawyer

For aggressive defense in a criminal matter, 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.

Source – http://www.wusa9.com/story/news/local/maryland/2015/05/11/police-shoot-man-who-rammed-deputys-car-landover/27116123/

Study Shows Three-Fold Increase since 2000

The killing of two high school students in Washington this week is the continuation of a trend the FBI has seen over the last 14 years—a three-fold rise in the number of mass shootings in the United States. The report found 160 mass shootings between 2000 and 2013, but more than 70% of the mass shootings occurred during the last half of the study. FBI officials found that more than two-thirds of the attacks took place in a school or in the workplace, and that, in almost half of the mass killings, at least three people died.

According to behavioral experts, the perpetrators generally fall into two categories: individuals who felt picked on, belittled or mistreated; and those who sought attention. Most psychologists believe that such persons can be identified before they engage in deadly action, often by students, teachers, co-workers or others. FBI officials say that they are contacted on a regular basis by local authorities seeking assistance with the evaluation of potential threats.

Maryland Criminal Defense Attorney

Maryland Super Lawyer Jonathan Scott Smith has aggressively defended individuals in Maryland for more than 30 years. Long known and respected by his peers for effective representation, he has earned an AV-rating under Martindale-Hubbell’s Peer Review Rating System. Attorney Smith has received the Client’s Choice Award from AVVO stars (the highest rating possible), based on an average client review of 5.0. He has a perfect 10.0 (Superb) rating as a litigation attorney from AVVO. The American Lawyer Magazine and Martindale-Hubbell both listed him as a 2012 Top Rated Lawyer.

Top-Rated Criminal Defense Lawyer in Howard County

If you are under investigation for or have been charged with a 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.

http://www.latimes.com/nation/nationnow/la-nn-na-mass-shootings-fbi-20140924-story.html

Law Enforcement Agencies Recognize Need for Special Training to Deal with Mentally Challenged Suspects

Acknowledging the increasing likelihood that police officers will have to question and perhaps detain persons with mental challenges, police departments across the country are sending officers to specialized training to help them defuse potentially volatile situations. Experts point to decreased funding for state mental health programs, noting that many individuals who would have been institutionalized in state mental hospitals are now on the streets. When ordinary citizens encounter difficulties with mentally unstable people, their inclination is to call law enforcement officers, forcing officers to handle situations for which they have little training.

Many departments have instituted what is known as “crisis intervention training,” or CIT. The CIT program came into being in Memphis, Tennessee, in response to a public outcry when police shot a mentally ill man who was threatening suicide. Reports indicate that up to 3,000 police departments nationwide now employ some form of CIT program.

The focus of the CIT programs is on alternatives to the use of force. Officers learn how to calm down suspects, and how to identify ways to resolve tensions without threats or use of violence.

Top-Rated Maryland Criminal Defense Attorney

Attorney Jonathan Scott Smith, a Maryland Super Lawyer, has fought for the rights of criminal defendants in Maryland for more than 30 years. 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.

Criminal Defense Lawyer in Ellicott City and Columbia, MD

We will help you 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.

http://www.npr.org/2014/09/23/349098691/as-run-ins-rise-police-take-crash-courses-on-handling-mentally-ill?sc=tw

Researchers Look for Ways to Address Unconscious Racial Bias

For decades, psychologists have been looking for the root causes of racial bias or stereotyping. Many have been startled to discover that, even when people consciously pay close attention to their actions and perceptions, most (if not all) still subconsciously make judgments based on ethnicity or skin color. As these actions have been highlighted in the acts of law enforcement officers, researchers have put a greater focus on understanding and changing the unconscious or unknown factors that lead to race-based distinctions and decisions.

It’s not that researchers have just concluded that much bias is subconscious. Until the last 15 years, though, most researchers targeted their efforts on conscious acts of racial bias or profiling. Evidence now suggests, though, that to have a meaningful impact, any therapy or education must address the subconscious tendency toward bias.

The research is still in the early stages, but researchers have found that certain strategies have led to changes, some temporary, others more permanent. Calvin Lai, a doctoral candidate at the University of Virginia, has conducted research that shows that something as simple as showing subjects pictures of famous and well-respected persons of color—Mahatma Ghandi or Nelson Mandela, for example—next to white persons considered universally evil—Hitler, Stalin—brought about a measurable change in racial bias.

Top-Rated Personal Injury Lawyer in Ellicott City and Columbia, MD

Attorney Jonathan Scott Smith, a Maryland Super Lawyer, has protected the rights of injured people in Maryland for more than 30 years. 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.

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If you have been treated unfairly because of your race, 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.

http://www.bostonglobe.com/ideas/2014/09/20/the-bias-fighters/lTZh1WyzG2sG5CmXoh8dRP/story.html

Prosecutors Decline to Press Charges in Speedway Accident

A New York grand jury “no-billed” NASCAR legend Tony Stewart after its investigation of his involvement in the death of another driver at a racetrack in upstate New York in August. Stewart, a three-time NASCAR champion, struck and killed driver Kevin Ward, Jr., at a dirt track in Canandaigua. Police said that Ward was under the influence of marijuana at the time of the accident, but that Stewart was clean.

According to witnesses, Ward and Stewart were together on the track when Ward spun out while racing next to Stewart. Witnesses say Ward then climbed out of his vehicle and started walking down the middle of the track, while other drivers were still responding to a caution flag. Testimony indicates that Ward was waving at Stewart, trying to confront him. A driver in front of Stewart veered and safely avoided Ward, but when Stewart tried to swerve around him, he struck ward with the right rear tire of his car. Ward died almost immediately, due to blunt force trauma.

NASCAR has since enacted a new rule that drivers may not climb out of a disabled vehicle until safety personnel arrive, unless the vehicle is on fire.

The likelihood of criminal charges was minimal, say experienced prosecutors. They note that law enforcement officers and district attorneys are reluctant to press charges for actions that occur during sports competition, unless the acts were clearly outside the scope of the athletic event.

Top-Rated Maryland Criminal Defense Attorney

Attorney Jonathan Scott Smith, a Maryland Super Lawyer, has fought for the rights of criminal defendants in Maryland for more than 30 years. 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.

Criminal Defense Lawyer in Ellicott City and Columbia, MD

Regardless of the charges you face, we 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.
http://omnifeed.com/article/espn.go.com/racing/nascar/cup/story/_/id/11582576/tony-stewart-face-charges-death-kevin-ward-jr?utm_source=twitter&utm_medium=sports