"The Robing Room: MD State Judges

Hon. Karla N. Smith	See Rating Details
Circuit Judge Circuit Court
Montgomery County 6th Circuit	See Comments

Attorney Average Rating: 8.2 - 13 rating(s) Non-Attorney Average Rating: 2.0 - 2 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

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What others have said about Hon. Karla N. Smith

Comments

Criminal Defense Lawyer

Comment #: MD9432
Rating:10.0

Comments:
Very pleasant judge who listens to both sides and tries to get things right.
Not a hint of arrogance or favoritism.
Absolutely what you want in a judge.

Civil Litigation - Private

Comment #: MD7716
Rating:9.8

Comments:
Fair, honest and sees through the abuse tactics my ex tried to use. Polite, reasonable and even handed.

Litigant

Comment #: MD7187
Rating:1.0

Comments:
NOT FIT TO BE A JUDGE!

Smith committed perjury in open court on Feb 27, 2016 ordered extra judicial action via the Sheriff's office in the court house.

She was issued a DISMISSAL and a WARNING by the pursuant MD Rule 18-406. She is not fit to be Judge in any court!

Civil Litigation - Private

Comment #: MD6933
Rating:10.0

Comments:
Very good judge. I lost in front of her but I found her to be very fair and even-keeled. I would gladly try a case in front of her again.
Hope she remains this way and doesn't become nasty like too many MoCo judges.

Other

Comment #: MD6233
Rating:3.0

Comments:
This judge was assigned our case last minute - she did not read all (or maybe any) of the PLC trial information. She had to go lay down because of back problems (I would assume on back pain medicine as well). She took less than 20 minutes to decide (which went against ALL 0ther legal guidance prior). Let the father have medical insurance and he picked a carrier that did not allow for pediatric specialists that the children need, he had never been any help with medical care prior to the divorce (or has he been since then). She ignored financial agreements that had been made during mediation and at the PLC hearings.

We went back to court and then she referenced prior agreements for paying of afterschool activities - which has never been followed since that time.

Criminal Defense Lawyer

Comment #: MD3919
Rating:10.0

Comments:
David Martella trained her. That's my dude he is,very good lawyer. To laid back in a pool of dirty, unethical, greedy, lawyers. But he is very honest. Excellent lawyer.

Criminal Defense Lawyer

Comment #: MD3517
Rating:Not Rated
Comments:
I loss in her court room. But you know what she was so fair. I felt bad when I left her court room. Because I was terrible before her. She wanted to know why I was so angry. I showed out in her court room. Then she had some kind of child of abuse case she took to her chambers. I felt really bad. Yes put her in circuit court. She is very fair.

Shelley

Criminal Defense Lawyer

Comment #: MD3413
Rating:10.0

Comments:
I heard she is up for Circuit Court. I, highly recommend her. One, of the best female Judges. Absolutely scrupulous, congenial to all, professional, evenhanded and fair. This woman is a role model for the judges of Maryland, nay, the entire profession. No, female Judge is more Qualify.

Criminal Defense Lawyer

Comment #: MD3404
Rating:Not Rated
Comments:
Had criminal trial. Judge Smith was very patient in listening to testimony. Gave well reasoned opinion. Was very courteous to all participants.

Criminal Defense Lawyer

Comment #: MD3403
Rating:10.0

Comments:
Excellent Judge. I lost a case before her. But she was fair. In my criminal trial. Judge Smith was very patient in listening to testimony. Gave well reasoned opinion. Was very courteous to all participants. Good Material for Circuit Court.

Criminal Defense Lawyer

Comment #: MD2394
Rating:9.3

Comments:
Everything you want in a judge. Just super.

Criminal Defense Lawyer

Comment #: MD2380
Rating:8.5

Comments:
Willing to do the work and reaserch and address complicated rules statutes and case law in the District Court even when the docket is heavy.

Very polite even when pressed for time or annoying. Very respectful of both pro se and attorneys.

everything a judge should be and should move up to Circuit Court. sadly a rarity on the Maryland bench.

Civil Litigation - Private

Comment #: MD2376
Rating:6.4

Comments:
Judge Smith was very pleasant, but appeared quite pro-Plaintiff, even though she ruled in favor of Defendants in my case. I do not think she will never find for Ds, but if the facts are close, she'll give it to P.

Criminal Defense Lawyer

Comment #: MD2165
Rating:1.7

Comments:
She hasn't been anything but a state employee with a 100% bias against victims and in favor of states' attorneys for her whole career, and it is as clear as day when she's on the bench. She makes improper comments, and clogs all systems with ridiculous sentences -- she doesn't have a clue, but she thinks she does. She is very dangerous. She has no understanding of district court, as she hasn't been in it for 15 years. She doesn't understand the ramifications of her draconian sentences on government employees or the families of defendants, or anything about the loss of employment and the financial crippling that she is causing -- she is clueless. Never mind even discussing evidence --everything in for the state. The two comments below are obviously her best friends, and worthless. This is not a joke -- she does not know what she is doing.

Criminal Defense Lawyer

Comment #: MD2079
Rating:9.8

Comments:
Judge Smith possesses the extremly rare combination of a fabulous temperament and intelligence. Hopefully she will be bumped up to the Circuit Court very soon -- the bench really needs her.

Criminal Defense Lawyer

Comment #: MD1543
Rating:10.0

Comments:
I have always been a fan of Karla. She is smart, earnest, open minded and compassionate. And, she is beautiful. It's like Judge Harrington had had a beautiful little baby that grew up to be a judge. David, I didn't know you had it in you! Congrats Karla! p.s. stay away from Judge Wolf. That "Denied-itis" is contagious!