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.
