traffic charges

Nurse Cleared of Driving While License Suspended

March 21, 2012 by jsmith

A 39-year old registered nurse was stopped by Howard County police in Columbia and charged with two counts of driving while license suspended. The penalty for driving while suspended is up to one year in jail, a $1,000.00 fine, and 12 points. The client needed her license to keep her job, and to drive her young children. The case was heard in the District Court for Howard County, located in Ellicott City.

Defense lawyer and traffic ticket attorney Jonathan Scott Smith represented the nurse, rejected the prosecutor’s plea bargain offer, and aggressively defended the case. The judge granted Mr. Smith’s motion to dismiss one charge after successfully pointing out that the citation failed adequately to charge an offense under the law. After that, the prosecutor abandoned the case and dismissed the remaining driving while license suspended charge, clearing the client of all charges.

Experienced Howard County Traffic Ticket Lawyer

Mr. Smith is a top rated criminal lawyer and former prosecutor with more than 30 years of criminal law experience. He has represented many clients in Howard County, including Ellicott City and Columbia, Maryland, who have been charged with driving while license suspended. Mr. Smith is an experienced traffic ticket attorney who has handled many driving while license suspended cases in Howard County.

Howard County Traffic Ticket Defense Attorney

Because of our demonstrated record of success and our strong reputation in the legal community, many of our new cases are referred to us by former clients or by other attorneys. Mr. Smith fights hard for his clients in Howard County traffic ticket cases. That’s why many satisfied clients think so highly of him. Mr. Smith’s results speak for themselves.

Mr. Smith’s extensive trial experience — and track record of successful results — has earned him the recognition of his peers, 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 and traffic ticket attorneys in Columbia, Ellicott City, and Howard County.

To schedule a meeting, contact our office by e-mail or call us at 410-740-0101.

Defense of Howard County Driving While License Suspended

We handle defense of driving while license suspended charges, and traffic tickets for individuals throughout the Baltimore metro area. We will fully investigate the facts and evidence related to your citation, and defend you aggressively. The penalty for driving while suspended is very serious: up to one year in jail, a $1,000.00 fine, or both, and a conviction can result in 12 points on your driving record – enough to revoke your driver’s license.

Contact Our Office

If you need a lawyer for traffic tickets, including driving while license suspended, contact us by e-mail or call us at 410-740-0101. Put an experienced Maryland traffic violations defense lawyer 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.

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Driver Accused of Road Rage Assault Found Not Guilty

October 5, 2011 by jsmith

Road Rage Incidents Between Cars and Bicycles

Drivers often have disagreements on the road, and sometimes this results in accusations of road rage assault. Drivers and bicyclists can have difficulty sharing the road. Under Maryland law bicyclists are subject to the same responsibilities and “rules of the road” as drivers of motor vehicles. Sometimes drivers are falsely accused of road rage offenses, including use of a motor vehicle to commit an assault or reckless driving. That’s when it’s important to know that every person accused of any criminal or traffic violation has the right to be represented by an experienced lawyer, and the right to a trial.

Driver Found Not Guilty of Assaulting Bicyclist

In a recent case, a car driver was charged with Second Degree Assault and Reckless Driving in the District Court for Howard County, based on a claim of road rage assault. A bicyclist accused the driver of exchanging words from a traffic dispute, and then abrupty swerving onto the shoulder and slamming on his brakes in front of the bicycle, causing it to collide with the back of the car. The bicyclist was thrown from his bike, and sustained injuries.

Columbia criminal defense lawyer Jonathan Scott Smith aggressively defended the car driver. The prosecutor asked the driver to plead guilty to Second Degree Assault and serve 30 days in jail for road rage assault. Mr. Smith strongly urged the client to reject the plea offer and fight the case at trial. When the plea offer was rejected, the prosecutor retaliated and stated she would request 6 months in jail if the driver was convicted.

The case went to trial in the District Court for Howard County, located in Ellicott City, Maryland. Mr. Smith vigorously cross examined the bicyclist, who reluctantly admitted that he had yelled at the car driver and gave the driver the “middle finger.” Mr. Smith also played a 911 recording, confirming that the accused had called 911 to obtain assistance for the bicyclist, who was heard in the background engaging in a tirade of obscenities toward the driver. Mr. Smith used photographs of the road and forced the bicyclist to admit that he in fact was violating the traffic laws.

The car driver was found not guilty of Second Degree Assault and Reckless Driving.

Howard County, Columbia and Ellicott City Criminal Lawyer

Dealing with criminal charges, including accusations of road rage assault, can be daunting and emotionally stressful. And regardless of the circumstances of your case, you have a right to legal counsel and representation. Further, an arrest or accusation does not mean you will be found guilty.

Mr. Smith’s extensive trial experience — and track record of successful results in road rage, assault, and other criminal cases— has earned him the recognition of his peers, 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 lawyers in Howard County.

You need an experienced and skilled criminal defense attorney who understands the legal process and can mount an effective defense. Contact us online or call us at 410-740-0101 to schedule a consultation to discuss your case.

Filed Under: Assault, criminal defense lawyer, criminal lawyer, defense attorney, District Court for Howard County, reckless driving, traffic charges, Uncategorized Tagged With: assault, criminal defense lawyer, criminal lawyer, defense attorney, District Court for Howard County, reckless driving, traffic charges

Security Specialist Cleared of Driving While Suspended

May 26, 2011 by jsmith

Driver Charged with Driving While Suspended

A 45-year old security specialist was charged with driving while license is suspended. The client, who had a high level security clearance, received a speeding ticket and failed to pay the ticket or appear in court on the scheduled trial date. He was later stopped and arrested for Driving While Suspended, after a Howard County police officer ran a routine check of his car’s registration plate.

What are the Penalties for Driving While Suspended in Maryland?

Most violations of Maryland’s traffic laws for driving while license suspended carry penalties of a fine up to $1,000.00 and imprisonment up to 1 year, or both. However, if the reason that the license was suspended was the driver’s failure to pay a citation or court fine, the penalties can be a fine up to $500.00 and imprisonment up to 2 months, or both.

Driver’s License Suspended for Failure to Pay Citation or Appear in Court

In many cases, drivers receive traffic citations and forget to pay them promptly, or appear in court when the ticket is scheduled for trial. When this happens, the Maryland Motor Vehicle Administration mails a notice of suspension, notifying the driver that his driver’s license will be suspended if the ticket isn’t paid within 15 days.

Sometimes drivers don’t receive the suspension notice from the MVA and they don’t know their license is suspended. Later, they are stopped for an unrelated reason, the police officer runs their name through the MVA computer, and they are arrested and charged with driving while suspended when the MVA record shows a suspended driver’s license. However, a driver cannot be convicted if the driver did not know that the driver’s license was suspended.

Driving While License Suspended Charges Dismissed

In this case, the security specialist had a history of misdeliveries by the post office and he didn’t know that his license was suspended. The client possessed a high level security clearance, and any conviction would have had a devastating impact on his employment. The client retained Jonathan Scott Smith, of the Smith Criminal Defense Firm, to defend against the charges. The case was heard in the District Court for Howard County. All charges were dismissed, and the client was relieved to know that this obstacle to his career was removed.

Top Rated Howard County, Columbia, and Ellicott City Traffic Ticket Lawyer

Mr. Smith is a top rated attorney and former prosecutor with more than 30 years ofextensive trial experience. Attorney Smith has handled thousands of criminal cases in the local courts, including cases involving driving while suspended and driving while license is suspended. With a solid and longstanding reputation for personal service and thorough preparation, we get many of our new cases as referrals from existing or former clients, or from other attorneys. Mr. Smith fights hard for his clients. That’s why many satisfied clients think so highly of him.

Mr. Smith’s extensive trial experience — and track record of successful results in driving while suspended and driving while license is suspended cases, and other criminal cases— has earned him the recognition of his peers, 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 lawyers in Howard County.

Contact Our Office

To schedule an appointment with an experienced criminal defense lawyer, 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.