Raquel Melody Smith

PRO

Raquel Melody Smith

4.9
Rating: 9.8

Licensed for 12 years

Criminal defense Lawyer at Rockville, MD
Practice Areas: Criminal Defense, DUI & DWI, Domestic Violence, Sex Crime

110 N. Washington Street, Suite 502, Rockville, MD

Virtual Consultation Available

Free Consultation

About Raquel

Biography

Aggressive defense attorney whose clients come first. Yo hablo español.

Aggressive defense attorney whose clients come first. Yo hablo español.

Practice Areas

4

Practice Areas

Criminal Defense 40%

40%
DUI and DWI 40%

40%
Domestic Violence 10%

10%
Sex Crime 10%

10%

Fees and Rates

Cost

Free Consultation

$0 first 15 minutes


Payment Methods

  • Cash
  • Check
  • Credit Card

Awards

Client's Choice
Client's Choice
2018 2017 2016

Licenses

Licensed in Maryland for 12 years

State: Maryland

Acquired: 2013

Active

No misconduct found

Location

Smith Martella Law Group, LLC

110 N. Washington Street, Suite 502, Rockville, MD, 20850

maryland-defense-attorneys.com/lawyers/raquel-smith/

Raquel Melody Smith's Reviews

Avvo Review Score

4.9 /5.0

34 Client Reviews

5 star (33)
4 star (0)
3 star (0)
2 star (0)
1 star (1)

Posted by anonymous | March 7, 2019 | Hired Attorney

This review is from a person who hired this attorney.

DWI

I was charged with a DWI along with 5 other traffic violations. Raquel was very helpful and made sure that everything was taken care of. I expressed to her the importance of me being able to return to work and she made that happen. I received a pbj for one of the charges and all others were dropped i...ncluding the DWI. I hope I never need her services again but if I did she literally is stored in my phone and I would not hesitate to call her again.

Posted by anonymous | January 28, 2026 | Hired Attorney

This review is from a person who hired this attorney.

my case was dropped (Thank God)

I was referred to Attorney Raquel Smith from Barry Belfand, David Belfand, David Martella, & Raquel Smith, for their no-nonsense reputation, and she delivered by quickly exposing the falsehoods behind frivolous charges against me. Her skill in presenting the truth ensured the case was dismissed early..., saving me from a meritless legal battle. I highly recommend Raquel and her team, to anyone who needs a direct, integrity-driven team that gets definitive results.

Posted by Synthia | February 2, 2026 | Hired Attorney

This review is from a person who hired this attorney.

Acknowledgement

Its with great delight that I’m writing this, I got a mail from the firm for a charge against me and I didn’t hesitate to contact the office and I most say God bless the moment I took this decision, it was a very scary situation but thanks to Ms Raquel Smith who showed me nothing but unwavering suppo...rt throughout and we got the case dismissed today ,the rest of the staff’s can’t go unnoticed as well I’m truly grateful , I highly recommend this firm there are more than best you can always count on them , thanks again a million Ms Smith you did well I can smile again

Posted by Karla | March 15, 2026 | Hired Attorney

This review is from a person who hired this attorney.

Raquel’s unwavering support, my full confidence & trust in her for a favorable outcome

I was in good hands with Raquel Smith from the moment I approached her with my hearing with the MVA. She took the time to walk through with me the potential consequences and more importantly what I needed to do to help set the conditions for the best possible outcome. I followed her instructions, she... represented me extremely well during the hearing, and I thankfully received a very favorable outcome thanks to Raquel’s determination in helping me end this very stressful and difficult time. Raquel puts herself in your shoes and I think that’s a key differentiator in ensuring you as the client are well taken care of. I will never forget what Raquel did for me and highly recommend her to anyone seeking legal representation/assistance.

Posted by Pintheru Tenny Fernando | January 9, 2024 | Hired Attorney

This review is from a person who hired this attorney.

She is the Best

Raquel Smith is an amazing lawyer. She guided me through about my speeding ticket and eventually got the best result by getting all my points removed. I would definitely recommend her.”

See All Client Reviews

Raquel Melody Smith's Lawyer Endorsements

Endorse Raquel
Michael Wilson McGraw headshot
Michael McGraw

Criminal defense lawyer | Jan 26

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"Raquel was a formidable opponent when I was a prosecutor and I always enjoyed having cases with her. She was always prepared, ensured that her client was informed, and was well respected by the Judges. I endorse Raquel."

Daniel L. Kron headshot
Daniel Kron

Criminal defense lawyer | Oct 19

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"Simply said, Raquel is an outstanding criminal attorney. Highly recommended!"

Carolyn Michele Demougeot headshot
Carolyn Demougeot

Criminal defense lawyer | May 20

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse this lawyer. Raquel is a smart, passionate and determined attorney. She does not cut corners and knows how to attain great results for her clients."

Sakhouy Lay headshot
Sakhouy Lay

Criminal defense lawyer | May 09

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse this lawyer because she is compassionate, knowledgeable and obtains great results for her clients."

Mandeep Singh Chhabra headshot
Mandeep Chhabra

Litigation lawyer | Feb 18

Relationship: Worked together on matter

"I watched Raquel excel as an attorney for two years before having the opportunity to work with her regularly. She possesses all the skills of a great lawyer with the forethought of attorneys beyond her years. Clients love her! She is aggressive, intelligent and practical. I endorse to the highest level."

Benjamin Francis Bruins headshot
Benjamin Bruins

Criminal defense lawyer | Feb 15

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse this lawyer. Raquel is an extremely smart lawyer who continually impresses me with her preparation and fearless advocacy. She cares about her clients and her cases and it shows in court. She is a great attorney and one whose clients are very well represented."

Claudia Patricia Lainez headshot
Claudia Lainez

Criminal defense lawyer | Feb 08

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse this lawyer. Raquel's passion for her clients' rights is evident in the courtroom. She is unabashed, determined and unafraid of hard work. She carries that same genuine interest she displays inside the courtroom, outside in her interactions with her clients. Raquel is well-respected and an excellent attorney."

Omid A. Azari headshot
Omid Azari

Criminal defense lawyer | Feb 05

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse this lawyer. Ms. Smith is smart aggressive and uses her skills to achieve positive results for her clients."

Theodore B Godfrey headshot
Theodore Godfrey

Criminal defense lawyer | Feb 03

Relationship: Co-worker

"Raquel leads with confidence in her criminal defense practice; even more important than her confidence is good judgment, the ability to read people and situations quickly to protect her client in the face of risks. Wholeheartedly endorsed for criminal defense practice in all Maryland courts."

Heather Kirkwood Yeung headshot
Heather Yeung

Criminal defense lawyer | Feb 03

Relationship: Co-worker

"Raquel is extremely dedicated to her work and to her clients. She is able to work amicably with co-counsel and prosecutors to achieve the best result for each client. Very highly endorse."

Jamie Leigh Alvarado-Taylor headshot
Jamie Alvarado-Taylor

Criminal defense lawyer | Feb 01

Relationship: Co-worker

"I endorse Ms. Smith. She is competent, caring, dependable and professional."

Jonathan Rhayader Oates headshot
Jonathan Oates

Criminal defense lawyer | Jun 11

Relationship: Co-worker

"I endorse this lawyer. Raquel has all the qualities of a very good defense attorney."

David Michael Wooten headshot
David Wooten

Criminal defense lawyer | Jun 11

Relationship: Co-worker

"I endorse this lawyer. Raquel is a very good and aggressive defense lawyer"

Himedes Vladimir Chicas headshot
Himedes Chicas

Criminal defense lawyer | Jun 11

Relationship: Co-worker

"I endorse this lawyer. Raquel is really good at defending individuals facing criminal charges."

Andrew V Jezic headshot
Andrew Jezic

Criminal defense lawyer | Jun 11

Relationship: Supervised lawyer

"I endorse this lawyer. A very good DUI and criminal defense lawyer"

Rand William Lucey headshot
Rand Lucey

Criminal defense lawyer | May 13

Relationship: Co-worker

"I endorse this lawyer."

View All Endorsements
David Michael Krum headshot
David Krum

Criminal defense lawyer

Sakhouy Lay headshot
Sakhouy Lay

Unknown lawyer

Benjamin Francis Bruins headshot
Benjamin Bruins

Unknown lawyer

Gill Cochran headshot
Gill Cochran

DUI and DWI lawyer

Stephen P Norman headshot
Stephen Norman

Civil rights lawyer

Himedes Vladimir Chicas headshot
Himedes Chicas

Immigration lawyer

Jamie Leigh Alvarado-Taylor headshot
Jamie Alvarado-Taylor

Criminal defense lawyer

Jonathan Rhayader Oates headshot
Jonathan Oates

Criminal defense lawyer

Andrew V Jezic headshot
Andrew Jezic

Criminal defense lawyer

Rand William Lucey headshot
Rand Lucey

Criminal defense lawyer

David H Moyse headshot
David Moyse

Criminal defense lawyer

Experience

Rating:  9.8 (Superb)

Honors

2022

Top 10 Under 40, National Academy of Criminal Defense Attorneys

2019

Top Attorneys in Maryland, Baltimore Magazine

2018

Client's Choice, Avvo

2017

Rising Star, Super Lawyers

2017

Client's Choice, Avvo

2017

Top Attorneys in Maryland, Baltimore Magazine

2016

Top 100 Attorney, National Black Lawyers

2016

Client's Choice, Avvo

Work Experience

2022 - Present

Associate, McKenzie & Tehrani

2019 - 2021

Associate, Jezic & Moyse, LLC

2016 - 2019

Criminal Defense Attorney, Cochran and Chhabra, LLC

2013 - 2016

Criminal Defense Attorney, Law Offices of Jezic & Moyse, LLC

2012 - 2013

Clerk, Law Office of Jezic, Krum & Moyse, LLC

Associations

2017 - Present

Anne Arundel County Bar Association

Member

2014 - Present

Maryland Hispanic Bar Association

Member

Sample of Legal Cases

Ms. Smith obtains Verdict in excess of $50,000

Ms. Smith obtains NOT GUILTY Verdict sparing man life in jail

See More Legal Cases

Education

2013

American University, Washington College of Law

JD - Juris Doctor

2008

University of Maryland, College Park

BA - Bachelor of Arts

Languages

English

Spanish

Activity

Avvo Rating

Our Rating is calculated using information the lawyer has included on their profile in addition to the information we collect from state bar associations and other organizations that license legal professionals. Attorneys who claim their profiles and provide Avvo with more information tend to have a higher rating than those who do not.

What determines Avvo Rating?
  • Experience & background Years licensed, work experience, education
  • Legal community recognition Peer endorsements, associations, awards
  • Legal thought leadership Publications, speaking engagements
  • Discipline Disciplinary information may not be comprehensive, or updated. We recommend that you always check a lawyer's disciplinary status with their respective state bar association before hiring them.
Avvo Rating Levels
10.0 - 9.0 Superb8.9 - 8.0 Excellent7.9 - 7.0 Very Good6.9 - 6.0 Good5.9 - 5.0 Average4.9 - 4.0 Concern3.9 - 3.0 Caution2.9 - 2.0 Strong Caution1.9 - 1.0 Extreme Caution