Points of Distinction
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Over 25 Years of Courtroom Experience
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Former Prosecutor
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Author of Criminal Law Books for Lawyers
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Lectured and Trained Prosecutors
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Highest Rating for Legal Ability and Professional
Ethics
Top-Rated Attorney
Jonathan Scott Smith is an
"AV-Rated" trial lawyer by the Martindale-Hubbell Law Directory. The Directory publishes ratings for lawyers
by soliciting confidential opinions from judges and lawyers. The highest ratings are "A" (indicating a
very high to preeminent legal ability) and "V" (very high recommendation
regarding adherence to professional standards of conduct and ethics). Mr. Smith has always received the highest
"AV" rating since he was first rated.
Private Law Practice
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.
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.
Criminal Prosecutor
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 Attorneys
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 Criminal Defense Attorneys' Association
Maryland Trial Lawyers Association
Maryland State Bar Association
Howard County Bar Association
Listings
Who's Who in American Law
Who's Who in Practicing Attorneys
Who's Who in the World
Who's Who of Emerging Leaders in America
Who's Who Among Rising Young Americans
2,000 Notable American Men
Men of Achievement
