Practice Areas

At the Law Office of Gladys M. Weatherspoon in Greenbelt, Maryland, we represents clients throughout Maryland and the greater Washington, D.C. area, including Bowie, Glendale, Springdale, Upper Marlboro, Silver Spring Laurel, Rockville, Lanham, Hyattsville, College Park, Riverdale, Prince George’s county, and Baltimore in the following types of case matters:

Criminal Law

Being charged with a crime may be a new and frightening experience for you and it can alter your life. That's why at the Law Office of Gladys Weatherspoon every crime is a serious crime. The Law Office of Gladys Weatherspoon understands how tough a fight with the government can be and we are well-prepared to fight for you. Gladys Weatherspoon has handled numerous trials effectively Ms. Weatherspoon has experience defending clients in criminal cases from misdemeanors to felony offenses.

The Law Office of Gladys Weatherspoon handles the following cases in Criminal Law:

• Immigration Consequences to Criminal Activity
• Theft / Fraud / Robbery / Forgery
• DUI/DWI
• Juvenile defense
• Domestic violence
• Drug charges
• Rape / Sexual assault
• Child Sex Abuse
• Threats
• Gun Charges, Possession of a Firearm
• Assault /Assault with Intent to Kill
• Murder/Attempted Murder

When you are arrested the police advise you of your right to remain silent, and then do everything they can to get you to waive that right. You should NEVER speak with the police without an attorney present. Speak to an attorney who will work for you and is trying to help you. In the meantime remember you do have the right to remain silent - exercise that right. You can always talk to them later, but you can never take your words back.

Call us or e-mail us today to schedule an appointment.

Download a Printable Notice from the ACLU Prohibiting Consent to Search Your Home

Immigration Consequences to Criminal Activity

What is a criminal conviction for Immigration Purposes?

A conviction occurs when:

1. When you enter a plea of guilt or an Alford or a plea of no contest (nolo contendere) admitting facts sufficient to warrant a finding of guilt by a judge, or finding of guilt after a trial by a judge or jury.
2. The judge imposes some form of punishment, penalty or restraint on a non-citizen's liberty as a sentence
3. The conviction must be final.

Agreements that Constitute a Conviction:

• Any guilty plea, nolo contendere or Alford plea, straight probation, no matter how much of the sentence is suspended.
• Deferred sentencing, such as Domestic Violence Intervention Program
• Drug Conviction with Expungement Provisions

Agreements that do NOT constitute a Conviction:

• Stet Docket Agreements
• Juvenile Adjudications
• Diversion Agreements

Possible Immigration Consequences to Criminal Convictions

• Disqualification from asylum
• Ineligibility to Naturalize
• Loss of LPR status (lose green card)
• Permanent Ineligibility for lawful status
• Disqualification from cancellation of removal and from removal waivers
• Removal (Deportation) from the U.S.
• Inadmissibility (Exclusion) from the U.S.
• Disqualification from establishing Good Moral Character

Deportable Criminal Offenses:

• Aggravated felonies
• Crimes of Moral Turpitude
• Domestic Violence offenses
• Drug offenses
• Firearm offenses

Grounds for Deportation and Exclusion without a Conviction
Facts of deportability and inadmissibility are based upon a "reason to believe" that a non-citizen has engaged in certain types of illegal activity or is the spouse or child of such non-citizen.

Reasons of Removal without a conviction:

• Drug Addicts and Abusers
• A finding in Civil court of a violation of a civil protection order or Stay away order issued in connection with a domestic violence case.
• *criminal activity endangering public safety or national security such as terrorism and espionage
• Drug traffickers
• Prostitutes
• Human Traffickers
• Persons who engage in criminal activity endangering public safety or national security such as terrorists and foreign spies