"The Robing Room: MD State Judges

Hon. Thomas P. Smith	See Rating Details
Associate Judge Circuit Court
Prince George's County 7th Circuit	See Comments

Attorney Average Rating: 7.5 - 8 rating(s) Non-Attorney Average Rating: - 0 rating(s)	Please send me alerts on this judge E-mail Address:

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Only items marked with (*) are averaged into the displayed overall rating.

General Rating Criteria

* Temperament		(1=Awful,10=Excellent)
* Scholarship		(1=Awful,10=Excellent)
* Industriousness		(1=Not at all industrious,10=Highly industrious)
* Ability to Handle Complex Litigation		(1=Awful,10=Excellent)
* Punctuality		(1=Chronically Late,10=Always on Time)
* General Ability to Handle Pre-Trial Matters		(1=Not all Able, 10=Extremely Able)
* General Ability as a Trial Judge		(1=Not all Able, 10=Extremely Able)
Flexibility In Scheduling		(1=Completely Inflexible,10=Very Flexible)

Criminal Rating Criteria (if applicable)

* Evenhandedness in Criminal Litigation		(1=Demonstrates Bias,10=Entirely Evenhanded)
General Inclination Regarding Bail		(1=Pro-Defense,10=Pro-Government)
Involvement in Plea Discussions		(1=Not at all Involved, 10=Very Involved)
General Inclination in Criminal Cases Pretrial Stage		(1=Pro-prosecution,10=Pro-defense)
General Inclination in Criminal Cases Trial Stage		(1=Pro-prosecution,10=Pro-defense)
General Inclination in Criminal Cases Sentencing Stage		(1=Pro-prosecution,10=Pro-defense)

Civil Rating Criteria (if applicable)

* Evenhandedness in Civil Litigation		(1=Not at all Evenhanded,10=Entirely Evenhanded)
Involvement in Settlement Discussions		(1=Not at all Involved,10=Very Involved)
General Inclination		(1=Pro-defendant, 10=Pro-plaintiff)

Comments

What others have said about Hon. Thomas P. Smith

Comments

Criminal Defense Lawyer

Comment #: MD1079
Rating:7.1

Comments:
He is a decent judge that is well versed in the law. However, he misses the boat frequently.

He should spend less time making jokes and musings, and more time concentrating on the nuiances of his cases.

Civil Litigation - Private

Comment #: MD541
Rating:9.9

Comments:
Judge Smith's knowledge of the law and respect for litigants and counsel is first rate. He understands legal issues, is willing to read and analyze judicial precedent and statutory history and is even handed in his rulings. At times, he has a no nonsense approach but only when it is necessary to preserve decorum in the courtroom. He is a credit to the bench.

Civil Litigation - Private

Comment #: MD529
Rating:2.0

Comments:
I cannot give him high marks for scholarship. He comes across as arrogant and rude when on the bench at times. Arrogant judges do not belong on the bench serving justice. He does not give attorneys a chance to explain, which can be a travesty of justice.

Civil Litigation - Private

Comment #: MD422
Rating:9.0

Comments:
Judge Smith is probably one of a few competent judges in Prince George's County Circuit Court to handle complex civil cases. Judge Smith makes it a point to review the file, read the pleadings and thoroughly hear argument from both sides before he rules, and as a result, his rulings are well supported and reasoned. Judge Smith's demeanor in Court does not lean one way or the other to indicate any favoritism for either party before him.

Civil Litigation - Private

Comment #: MD421
Rating:10.0

Comments:
Great judge. He is fair to all parties and has a great sense of humor.

Civil Litigation - Private

Comment #: MD420
Rating:10.0

Comments:
Judge Smith is a shining star in the Prince George's Circuit Court. He is always prepared and rules based on the law and not on personal opinion. He is a great judge to try cases before. He will always give lawyers and opportunity to state their positions. He has a great sense of humor. He is one the judges most concerned about administration of cases in the court. He has served the bar and community with great distinction.

Civil Litigation - Private

Comment #: MD398
Rating:2.9

Comments:
Judge Smith is entirely erratic, has no patience whatsoever and clearly never parcticed as a trial lawyer himself although he clearly believes he is the greatest lawyer that ever lived. He shows no respect to the l;awyers that appear before him and is down right rude.

Criminal Defense Lawyer

Comment #: MD299
Rating:9.3

Comments:
Judge Smith is a great trial judge. Know your law if you are in front of him, because he does. A little too conservative in his rulings. But he does not get reversed that often.