Criminal Defense Attorney in Wyoming
Although Wyoming is one of the least populated states in the nation, it does have a lot to offer those who live, work or visit the area. While there, you are encouraged to check out Yellowstone National Park that has landmarks such as Old Faithful. You will also want to check out Grand Teton National Park, which is home to a variety of majestic animal species such as bison and elk. Of course, you will want to avoid engaging in illegal activity while in the state.
Understand Your Rights
If you are charged with a crime, you have a number of rights that the government must respect at all times. For example, you have the right to remain silent at all times during the legal process, and this usually applies when you have been detained or taken into custody. The government generally cannot charge you with a crime or obtain a conviction merely because you refuse to speak.
You also have the right to be free from unreasonable searches or seizures. Typically, the only way a search can be conducted is if authorities have a warrant or there is a valid exception to the warrant requirement. For example, items can be seized without a warrant if you gave your permission to the search or if they are in plain view and there is reason to believe that they might have been used to commit a crime.
Finally, you have the right to a Wyoming criminal defense attorney to help with your case. This right generally applies the moment that you are detained or charged with a crime. To invoke this right, you must clearly state that you would like an attorney to be present before answering any questions.
When your attorney arrives, this person might advise you to refrain from saying anything if doing so might undermine your ability to obtain a favorable outcome in your case. Of course, you have the right to speak if you desire regardless of what anyone else says. It is important to note that any statements made after you are made aware of your rights will likely be used against you during the legal process.
Put our highly experienced team on your side
Brian J. Kuester
Former U.S. Attorney
Former DA
Amanda Marshall
Former U.S. Attorney
Local Counsel
Joe Brown
Former U.S. Attorney
& Former District Attorney
Local Counsel
John W. Sellers
Former Senior Trial Attorney
U.S. Department of Justice
Local Counsel
Linda Julin McNamara
Former Chief, DOJ Appeals
Local Counsel
Joanne Fine DeLena
Former Assistant U.S. Attorney
Local Counsel
Aaron L. Wiley
Former Federal Prosecutor
Local Counsel
Roger Bach
Former Special Agent (OIG)
Chris Quick
Former Special Agent (FBI & IRS-CI)
Kevin M. Sheridan
Former Special Agent (FBI)
Ray Yuen
Former Supervisory Special Agent (FBI)
Dennis A. Wichern
Former Special Agent-in-Charge (DEA)
Other Potential Benefits of Hiring an Attorney
Hiring an attorney may make it easier to find out what the government knows about your case. This is because your advocate will typically be granted access to any documents, videos or other information that the prosecution has access to. If the prosecutor in your case fails to hand over exculpatory evidence that might be useful in adequately defending your rights, it could be grounds for an appeal.
Most of the attorneys at The Criminal Defense Firm have spent time as federal prosecutors or as members of federal agencies such as the DEA or IRS. Therefore, they understand what the government might be thinking when it decides to charge you with a misdemeanor as opposed to a felony. They may also know what it means when a prosecutor decides to pursue a number of charges or chooses to offer a plea deal when there does not seem to be an obvious need to settle.
This information may be useful in deciding whether to take the case to trial or to accept a plea deal. Of course, the final decision about how to proceed is yours alone to make. If you want to take the case to trial, your legal team will make sure that happens. If you want to seek a deal, your team will also do whatever it takes to make that happen.
The Types of Cases Our Firm Handles
Our firm handles almost any type of criminal case that you might bring to us. If you are charged with driving while under the influence of drugs or alcohol, we can likely help you defend against that accusation. If you are charged with possession of drugs, possession of alcohol as a minor or possession of weapons as a convicted felon, we might be able to help with that as well. Let us take a look at some other common cases our team might be able to help you defend against.
Assault and Battery
Assault and battery charges generally stem from an altercation that results in bodily injury or the threat of bodily injury. Assault means that you created the imminent apprehension of harm to someone else. Battery occurs when you actually put your hands on someone without that person’s permission and intentionally cause the victim to suffer some sort of injury.
Larceny
If you steal goods from a person or retailer, you may be charged with either petit or grand larceny. The severity of the charge depends on the value of the cash or goods that you take from its rightful owner. Larceny may be labeled as theft or burglary, but this does not mean that they are the same thing. Theft is generally an umbrella term that covers any crime that might involve taking goods that do not belong to you, with the intent of depriving the alleged victim of them forever. Burglary simply means that you entered a structure with the intent to commit a crime that may include taking or using items without the owner’s permission.
Financial Crimes
Fraud is a broad term that may consist of anything from writing a bad check to stealing money from your investors. Tax evasion may occur if you fail to file a tax return or seek deductions or credits that you know that you do not qualify for. Using another person’s information to file a tax return may also be considered a criminal offense that may come with serious penalties if convicted.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is the best time to hire an attorney?
Ideally, you will hire an attorney as soon as possible after you are taken into custody or charged with a crime. The sooner you hire a Wyoming criminal defense lawyer, the easier it may be to secure your release from custody. Furthermore, having an attorney by your side may make it easier to avoid making statements to authorities that might be used against you. If you do make statements to authorities prior to hiring counsel, your advocate may attempt to have your words suppressed.
What types of evidence might be used in my case?
Numerous lines of evidence such as video footage, photographs and witness statements may be used at trial. Forensic evidence, toxicology reports and cellphone records may also be used depending on how relevant they might be to your case. There is also a chance that the officer who took you into custody as well as others associated with the investigation into your activities may be called to testify. Finally, you may be called to testify at your trial in an effort to convince the jury that you should be found not guilty.
Do I have to testify at my trial?
No, you do not have to testify on your behalf in court. This is true even if your attorney believes that putting you on the stand would be helpful in obtaining a favorable outcome in your case. Furthermore, your spouse may not be compelled to testify against you or otherwise take action that might incriminate you. Your attorney may talk more about how testifying might influence the outcome of your case.
What types of legal strategies might my attorney use?
Your attorney might use a number of strategies to help you obtain a favorable plea deal or a not guilty verdict. For example, your legal counsel may argue that you did not intend to commit a crime. If there is no intent to break the law, a jury must generally find a defendant not guilty. Your attorney may also claim that you were not read your Miranda rights prior to making a statement. Finally, it may be possible to claim that the results of a chemical test should not be admitted into evidence because they were not conducted or handled properly.
What happens if evidence is suppressed?
If evidence in your case is suppressed before or during a trial, it means that it cannot be presented to a jury. In the event that something is ruled to be inadmissible after a jury sees it, jurors are not allowed to consider it when deciding your fate. Depending on the strength of the case against you, there is a chance that charges may be dropped if a witness statement, toxicology reports or other information cannot be used against you.
Contact Us Today
If you are in need of a Wyoming criminal defense attorney, don’t hesitate to contact the firm from anywhere in the country by calling 866-603-4540. We also have a live chat feature on our website that you can use to get answers to basic questions in a timely manner.