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Gladys M. Weatherspoon
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Gladys M. Weatherspoon
Law Office of Gladys M. Weatherspoon, LLC
7843 Belle Point Drive
Greenbelt, MD 20770
Phone: (301) 474-4422 | Fax: (301) 772-1888
http://www.weatherspoonfirm.com/
Reasonable Doubt. Reasonable Price. Reasonable Lawyer.
Legal Topic
Criminal Defense
Preferred New Clients
People who really want to fight.
Sub-Categories
Criminal Defense
- Aiding, Abetting, Accessory, Conspiracy
- Grand Jury Proceedings
- Juvenile Crimes
- Misdemeanors
- Search & Seizure
- Child Abuse
- Domestic Violence
- DUI
- Felony Auto Accidents
- Open Container
- DWI
- Drug Cultivation & Manufacturing
- Drug Possession
- Intent to Distribute Drugs
- Intent to Sell Drugs
- Illegal Possession or Transportation
- Other Weapons & Devices
- Arson
- Burglary
- Embezzlement
- Larceny
- Theft
- Abduction
- Child Abuse
- Child Pornography
- Indecent Exposure
- Rape
- Sexual Assault
- Stalking
- Trafficking in Women
- Assault & Battery
- Domestic Violence
- Extortion
- Kidnapping
- Manslaughter
- Murder
- Robbery
Bar Admissions
DC, Apr 1995
Bar Number: 445617
MD, Dec 2007
GA,
Bar Number: 493640
Other Court Admissions
District of Columbia Federal Court.
Association Memberships
National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers and Prince George's County Bar Association.
Continuing Education
I taught one of the classes at the 2004 Summer Series of the Public Defender Service on Opening Statements, but I also take classes that interest me.
Example Cases
March, 2008. United States v. Wilbert C.
Wilbert C. was charged with nine counts, including three counts of rape, two counts of burglary, assault, and other related charges. The Assistant United States Attorney presented evidence by a DNA expert. Wilbert C. was acquitted of five counts and the government dismissed the remaining counts. Wilbert C. went home with no convictions.
February, 2008. United States v. William C.
William C. was charged in the District of Columbia with first degree murder while armed, assault with intent to kill while armed, possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, carrying a pistol without a license, and unregistered firearm. After a trial that lasted over a week, deliberations took less than two hours. William C. was acquitted of all charges.
Education
Degree:
JD
School:
District of Columbia School of Law
City:
Washington
State:
DC
Year:
1994
Honors:
At graduation, I received the award for the being the most committed student to the Criminal Defense Law.
Number of Attorneys
1
State Licensed In
Maryland and District of Columbia, and Georgia
Firm Focus and History
The Law Office of Gladys M. Weatherspoon, LLC is a client-centered law office. I worked for the Public Defender Service in the District of Columbia for 10 years. I still have the desire to help people, which is why my prices are lower than other firms. Sometimes people do not qualify for the Public Defender Service or do not have the amount of money most firms require. We want to help those people that make too much for the Public Defender Service, but not enough for the high priced lawyers. This does not mean you get less service, it just means you get quality service at a better price.
The Law Office of Gladys M. Weatherspoon first opened its doors in May of 2007.
Previous Employment Summary
I worked for the Public Defender Service of the District of Columbia for 10 years. For most of those years I was a supervisor, a deputy trial chief, and the trial chief of the General Felony Division. I trained and supervised lawyers to be the best in handling trial matters. While supervising, I also handled my own case load which included serious felonies, including murders, rape, and child sex cases. Before working for the Public Defender Service, I was a judicial law clerk for the Honorable Judge Jose M. Lopez of the District of Columbia Superior Court.
What is your opinion regarding clients educating themselves on legal issues?
Sometimes this is a good thing, sometimes it isn't. A person who educates himself about the law needs to be able to accept that what worked for one case won't necessarily work for his case because no two cases are alike.
Are you willing to review documents prepared by clients?
I am willing to review documents prepared by clients. But it seems to me that if they are paying a lawyer to represent them, they should get a lawyer's representation.
Are you willing to coach clients who want to represent themselves?
I would be willing to coach a client to represent himself. However, it would actually cost more, because it would require more work.
Why did you decide to be a lawyer?
I was in the 8th grade when a young boy named Terrance Johnson was arrested for stealing money out of coin laundry machines. Sometime during his interrogation, Terrance managed to get one of the police officer's guns and killed two officers. I remember the first thought I had when I heard what happened was, "What happened to him to make that happen?" From that moment, I wanted to be a criminal defense attorney. I never changed my mind. I would sometimes skip school to go watch trials. I guess you can say I have been training to be a criminal defense lawyer since the 8th grade.
What work experience and education helps you be a better lawyer?
After law school, I have continued to taking classes. I attended the National Criminal Defense College, Gerry Spence Trial Lawyers College, Pozzner and Dodd Cross Examination, The Science and Technique Seminar and the Public Defender Service DNA College.
Why did you decide on your primary area of practice?
Terrance Johnson was my reason for going to law school, and I never changed my mind about what I wanted to do.
What do you like best about your career?
I love people. Most people wonder why an individual would want to represent people who have committed a crime. But I find that clients are actually good people who have made a mistake. I find that the person who is accused of committing even the "worst" crime is not a bad person. They have families, they care about people, and for the most part they made a mistake or error in judgment.
Tell us about your law firm:
I am a solo practitioner, so I handle all of my clients' cases. I do have an assistant who handles things like billing and scheduling. When I am retained, the client speaks to me directly about his/her case.
What are your strengths and style?
I think I got my strengths from the Gerry Spence Trial Lawyers College. I learned a lot about understanding both sides of the case. I don't think you can win a case if you don't consider the other side. I also learned about psycho-drama. Psycho-drama is about recreating the scene, to see the case from all sides. I don't speak like a lawyer. I think when you are in court with a jury, they relate better to lawyers who are really just people.
I am not judgmental. I think lawyers who do not judge their clients can relate to them more and can understand the circumstances of the case better. Finally, two judges have locked me up during my career because I wouldn't sit down and stop talking. There are days when I'm in a trial when I wear pants because I know it's a possibility I will be locked up for a couple of hours. I believe in fighting with all I have. It can get scary to be locked up, but if I am representing a person who has been locked up for months waiting for a trial, I have to fight hard, and it can mean a judge getting so frustrated that he will step me back. One thing's for sure: if a client is convicted, he can never say I didn't fight hard enough.
Personal Interests:
Who has time for personal interest? I love to read. I also love music, football, and animals.
Office Manager/Assistant
Angela Farmer.
Fax
(301) 772-1888
Office Hours
Monday through Friday
9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Saturdays twice a month 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Calls are forwarded to cell phone after hours.
Emergency After Hours
Yes
Foreign Languages
I am fluent in Spanish.
Fixed-Price Services and Fees
Fees depend on the charges as well as the particular case. While I charge flat fees, I base the fee on the charges as well as the difficulty of the case. I give discounts to members of the armed services, union members, or if you mention Nolo.
Hourly Rates
Not applicable for criminal cases.
Free Initial Consultation?
An in office consultation for a criminal case is free for 30 to 45 minutes. However, if the client is detained I charge a $100 fee for consultations if required to travel to a detention center.
Typical Retainer
I do not have a retainer. I have a flat fee for all criminal matters.
Nolo's Licensing Check
Attorneys have passed a licensing check. Nolo has confirmed that every member attorney has a valid license and is in good standing with the applicable bar associations upon joining the directory.
Directory lawyers are required to notify Nolo immediately if they become the subject of any disciplinary action by any bar association.
