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Raquel Melody Smith
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About Raquel
Biography
Joining the firm in 2022, Raquel Smith brought extensive legal experience from top law firms in the Washington, D.C. metro area. She is driven by her passion for courtroom advocacy across Maryland, offering assertive and thoughtful legal representation to those seeking justice, especially Spanish-speaking individuals and families. Her unique legal skills cover serious criminal felonies, misdemeanors, and both major and minor traffic offenses. Raquel is adept at handling domestic violence protective orders, peace orders, and red-flag protective orders, and she effectively represents clients in MVA license suspension hearings and administrative proceedings. Her practice also includes post-conviction and coram nobis petitions, appeals, motions for modification, and addressing probation violations. Raquel’s comprehensive litigation skills and compassionate approach ensure that her clients receive personalized, effective representation in a variety of complex legal matters.
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%
DUI and DWI
40%
Domestic Violence
10%
Sex Crime
10%
Fees and Rates
Cost
Payment Methods
- Cash
- Check
- Credit Card
Awards
2026 2018 2017
...
+
1
Licenses
Licensed in Maryland for 12 years
State: Maryland
Acquired: 2013
No misconduct found
Location
Smith Martella Law Group, LLC
(301) 251-9001
Fax
110 N. Washington Street, Suite 502, Rockville, MD, 20850
maryland-defense-attorneys.com/lawyers/raquel-smith/Raquel Melody Smith's Reviews
Avvo Review Score
35 Client Reviews
Filter Avvo Reviews (35)
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Practice Areas
What Clients Mention
Showing 1 - 5 of 7 reviews | Practice Area Knowledge
Posted by David | March 19, 2026 | Hired Attorney | Criminal Defense
Excellent Defense Representation
Raquel Smith is very knowledgeable of all aspects of criminal defense. She's also very personable, friendly and believes in her clients. At least I kno she believed in me. She did a much more thorough job of defending me than my previous criminal defense attorney and had my guilty finding vacated wh...
Posted by Pintheru Tenny Fernando | January 09, 2024 | Hired Attorney | Speeding & Traffic Ticket
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.”
Posted by anonymous | March 08, 2019 | Hired Attorney | DUI & DWI
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...
Posted by Garrett | September 10, 2018 | Hired Attorney | Criminal Defense
Raquel took my case the day before court and won!
I faced four charges in criminal court for traffic violations. My record had been clean for the past ten+ years, but if found guilty there could have been serious repercussions. Potential jail time, fines, and suspension of my license. The gravity of my situation didn't penetrate me until 2-3 days be...
Posted by anonymous | February 16, 2017 | Hired Attorney | DUI & DWI
Excellent Lawyer
Raquel is a top notch lawyer. Extremely knowledgeable and helpful throughout my DUI case. Would highly recommend her.
Raquel Melody Smith's Lawyer Endorsements
"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."
"Simply said, Raquel is an outstanding criminal attorney. Highly recommended!"
"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."
"I endorse this lawyer because she is compassionate, knowledgeable and obtains great results for her clients."
"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."
"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."
"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."
"I endorse this lawyer. Ms. Smith is smart aggressive and uses her skills to achieve positive results for her clients."
"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."
"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."
"I endorse Ms. Smith. She is competent, caring, dependable and professional."
"I endorse this lawyer. Raquel has all the qualities of a very good defense attorney."
"I endorse this lawyer. Raquel is a very good and aggressive defense lawyer"
"I endorse this lawyer. Raquel is really good at defending individuals facing criminal charges."
"I endorse this lawyer. A very good DUI and criminal defense lawyer"
"I endorse this lawyer."
David Krum
Criminal defense lawyer
Sakhouy Lay
Unknown lawyer
Benjamin Bruins
Unknown lawyer
Gill Cochran
DUI and DWI lawyer
Stephen Norman
Civil rights lawyer
Himedes Chicas
Immigration lawyer
Jamie Alvarado-Taylor
Criminal defense lawyer
Jonathan Oates
Criminal defense lawyer
Andrew Jezic
Criminal defense lawyer
Rand Lucey
Criminal defense lawyer
David Moyse
Criminal defense lawyer
Experience
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 AssociationMember
2014 - Present
Maryland Hispanic Bar AssociationMember
Sample of Legal Cases
Ms. Smith obtains Verdict in excess of $50,000
Ms. Smith obtains NOT GUILTY Verdict sparing man life in jail
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
Legal Answers
Legal Answers
Q&A
What are they testing my urine for?
21 Sep 2018
Q&A
Can the cops still charge me they have my phone
24 Jul 2018
Q&A
What is the best way for your child (age 20) to handle getting 2 speeding tickets within a month in Maryland (we live in DE)?
31 May 2018