Conly, William G

Maria Patterson has been recognized as a top lawyer in the August 2012 D.C. metro edition of Newsweek magazine. She is a 1996 graduate of the Catholic University School of Law with15 years of trial experience. Early in her career, at Sasscer, Clagett & Bucher in Upper Marlboro, Maryland she honed her skills as a trial attorney. Thereafter, Maria Patterson worked as a trial attorney for State Farm insurance company at the Law Offices of Timothy S. Smith in Greenbelt, Maryland. Before starting in private practice, Maria Patterson worked as an Associate County Attorney for Prince George's County in Upper Marlboro, Maryland handling numerous high profile jury trial cases. These cases frequently involved allegations of police misconduct and abuse. Many of Maria Patterson's cases were chronicled in the Washington Post and other national media outlets.

Attorney Maria Patterson has tried approximately 100 jury trials and has cross examined hundreds of witnesses. Her extensive trial experience in adversarial cases makes her extremely effective at handling Protective Order cases. Her success as a trial attorney earned Maria Patterson the designation as a Top 1% Car Accident Attorney. Please visit www.PrinceGeorgesInjuryLawyer.com for an explanation of the selection process for this award.

Lawyer Maria Patterson also has experience as a Maryland criminal defense attorney. Protective Order cases frequently involve allegations of criminal misconduct such as child abuse, assault, stalking and telephone misuse. For more information about the elements of these crimes under Maryland law please visit www.PGCriminalLawyer.com.

Maria Patterson frequently receives referrals from prominent Maryland Family Law attorneys to pursue and defend Protective Order cases. These cases are almost always contested and often viewed with skepticism by the trial judges. Protective Order cases have been misused by some spouses to gain temporary use over the family home and as leverage in divorce and child custody cases. On the other hand, abusive spouses rarely admit to transgressions that usually are only witnessed by the complaining spouse or a child. The seriousness and potential consequences of a faulty ruling have landed several Maryland judges in the national media spot light. Judges are often conflicted by concerns that the failure to enter a Protective Order may be followed by a serious domestic violence incident or on the other hand that the dispute should be handled through more traditional family law proceedings. It is essential to have an experienced attorney to help organize and present evidence to convince the trial judge of legitimate Protective Order cases and to highlight the weaknesses of legally insufficient claims.

If you need a Protective Order issued or a Protective Order has been sought against you please contact attorney Maria Patterson at 301-850-7349 to arrange a consultation at her Prince George's County offices in Bowie, Maryland. Attorney Maria Patterson handles Protective Order cases in Anne Arundel, Prince George's, Charles, Calvert and Montgomery Counties.