If you get arrested and charged with a crime, remember this: you are innocent until proven guilty. You have the right to a speedy trial and due process. At Keller Law Firm, P.C., we fight to uphold these rights every day, and we’re ready to fight for you against Wyoming prosecutors.
No matter where you live in Hot Springs County or the Bighorn Basin, our criminal defense attorneys fight for Wyomingites and their freedom. We are proud to defend those who are unable to defend themselves.
We fight to win, and we never quit. To set up a consultation with a qualified Wyoming criminal defense lawyer, contact our Thermopolis law office today.
Wyoming Has No Criminal Statute of Limitations
Wyoming is one of two states in America that does not have a statute of limitations on criminal offenses. This applies to minor offenses and serious criminal charges.
Since there is no statute of limitations for criminal offenses in this state, Wyoming prosecutors can charge you with a misdemeanor or felony at any time.
What the Lack of Criminal Statute of Limitations Means for Wyomingites
Do not take this fact of Wyoming law lightly. You could be accused of committing a crime that happened decades ago.
So much can happen in those intervening years when the alleged crime occurred and when you are charged. Witnesses may have moved out of state and their memories may have faded. Important records may have disappeared. Crucial video footage may have been erased, and key physical evidence may have degraded or been lost.
On top of all this, the Sixth Amendment of the Constitution guarantees you the right to a speedy trial. Being accused of a crime many years after it was alleged to have occurred is the sort of undue delay our Constitution protects you from.
Criminal Defense Cases Our Law Firm Handles
Keller Law Firm, P.C. can defend you and protect your legal rights in different kinds of cases. A Wyoming criminal defense attorney from our firm is ready to advocate for you.
DUI Defense
If you’ve been charged with driving under the influence (DUI) of drugs or alcohol, you could face suspension of your driver’s license, limited driving privileges, and installation of an ignition interlock device (IID) that you have to pay for.
Not all drunk driving or impaired driving charges are straightforward. Locals may be within the legal limit for blood alcohol content (BAC) when they’re pulled over, and they may have been stopped without probable cause or reasonable suspicion. There’s also a risk of false positives from breathalyzer tests and even mishandled blood and urine sobriety testing.
At Keller Law Firm, P.C., your DUI defense lawyer will carefully investigate every detail of your case.
Drug Crime Defense
The state of Wyoming has harsh penalties for drug possession, drug possession with the intent to deliver, and the manufacturing of drugs. The penalties are especially strict for cases involving Schedule I or II controlled substances (e.g., heroin, cocaine, meth, fentanyl).
While law enforcement may accuse you of a drug crime, you are still innocent until proven guilty. Your case may be more complicated than the facts seem on their surface. In addition, you may have options to get charges reduced or avoid incarceration if you are willing to seek addiction treatment.
At Keller Law Firm, P.C., your drug crime defense attorney will consider what happened and all of your legal options.
Theft Defense
Theft can broadly apply to different kinds of property-related crimes in Wyoming.
- Theft is when a person takes or takes control of another person’s property without their permission.
- Robbery is when a person takes property from someone else through the use of force, intimidation, or threats of bodily injury.
- Burglary is when a person unlawfully enters someone else’s property with the intent to commit theft or other crimes.
There are many dimensions to cases of theft that a defense attorney can consider. Sometimes theft could involve a mistake or misunderstanding. Maybe the owner of the property did give permission but disputes arise about details of when the property was returned or how it was used.
At Keller Law Firm, P.C., your theft defense lawyer will note your intent with regard to the property in question and other factors that could affect your case.
Assault and Battery Defense
Assault and battery are often paired together, but they actually refer to two separate criminal offenses.
- Assault is the unlawful attempt to cause bodily injury to another person.
- Battery is the knowing or reckless use of physical force to cause bodily injury to another person.
Not all cases of assault and battery are cut and dry. Some cases of physical contact are accidental or incidental. Wyoming also recognizes stand your ground laws, which allow people to use force in self-defense with no duty to retreat (e.g., legal requirement to back down or flee).
At Keller Law Firm, P.C., your assault and battery defense lawyer can consider what happened, why it happened, and whether you acted in self-defense or the defense of others.
Domestic Violence Defense
All allegations of spousal abuse, child abuse, and injury to another member of a household must be taken seriously. These kinds of cases carry serious criminal penalties. In addition, domestic violence convictions can affect your reputation and standing in the community.
If you’ve been charged with spousal battery, reckless endangerment of a child, or any other kind of domestic violence, you need a lawyer who can ensure you receive a Constitutionally sound defense without any kind of pre-judgment.
At Keller Law Firm, P.C., your domestic violence defense attorney will review every detail of what happened. Our firm will also consider how this could affect any marriage and family law issues you may be going through.
Penalties for Felonies and Misdemeanors in Wyoming
Penalties for misdemeanors and felonies in Wyoming vary depending on the nature of the alleged crime, the facts of the case, and whether a person has prior convictions on their criminal record.
Unlike other states, Wyoming does not have classifications of misdemeanors and felonies (e.g., Class A, Class B, Class C). Instead, the state has criminal statutes that specify the potential penalties for a criminal charge. Our Wyoming defense attorneys can review the charges against you and explain the potential criminal penalties you may face.
Misdemeanor Penalties in Wyoming
A misdemeanor is a crime that is punishable by up to one year of imprisonment. Examples of misdemeanor penalties in Wyoming include:
- Penalties for a First-Offense DUI: Up to six months in jail and a fine of up to $750.
- Penalties for First-Offense Drug Possession: Up to 12 months in jail and a fine of up to $1,000.
- Penalties for Theft of Property Under $1,000: Up to 12 months in jail and a fine of up to $1,500.
- Penalties for Simple Assault: A fine of up to $750.
- Penalties for Battery: Up to six months in jail and a fine of up to $750.
In addition to imprisonment and fines, a misdemeanor conviction could also result in probation and paying restitution to the victim(s) of the crime in question.
Felony Penalties in Wyoming
A felony is a crime that is punishable by more than one year of imprisonment. Examples of felony penalties in Wyoming include:
- Penalties for a Fourth DUI in a 10-Year Period: Up to seven years in state prison and a fine of up to $10,000.
- Penalties for Manufacturing Methamphetamine: Up to 20 years in state prison and a fine up to $25,000.
- Penalties for Theft of Property Over $1,000: Up to 10 years in state prison and a fine up to $10,000.
- Penalties for Aggravated Assault and Battery: Up to 10 years in prison and a fine up to $10,000.
In addition to imprisonment and fines, a felony conviction could also result in probation or parole, enrollment in a substance use treatment program, and reimbursing victims for financial losses.
Collateral Consequences: How a Conviction Can Affect Your Life
A criminal conviction will mean more than just fines and imprisonment. Even though you have served your debt to society, that conviction will be part of your criminal record. This could affect many aspects of your life, including your reputation, your career, your relationships, and your Constitutional rights.
This may not be fair since you’ve done your time, but it shows just how important it is to hire a Wyoming criminal defense lawyer who will fight your charges.
How a Criminal Conviction Affects Your Future and Your Rights
Here are just a few ways that a past criminal conviction can negatively affect your future.
- Effects on Employment Opportunities: While running a background check, an employer may be hesitant to hire you because of a past criminal conviction on your record, even for a non-violent crime.
- Effects on Professional Licences: If you’ve been convicted of a crime, it could result in the suspension, restriction, or loss of your professional license, or a denial if you apply for a professional license.
- Effects on Housing Opportunities: Landlords may think twice about renting a property to you just because of your criminal record.
- Effects on Education Opportunities: If you are applying to college or trade schools, a past criminal conviction could affect your eligibility for various programs, scholarships, or financial aid.
- Effects on Family Dynamics: If you are co-parenting or your marriage comes to an end, courts may consider your criminal record when making decisions about child custody and visitation rights. This is especially true for any charges related to domestic violence.
- Impact on Your Freedoms: Drunk driving and some other vehicle-related charges could lead to driver’s license suspension and restricted ability to drive. A felony conviction could affect your right to own a gun, vote in elections, or hold public office in Wyoming.
Why You Need a Wyoming Criminal Defense Attorney
When you’re charged with a crime, your reputation, your rights, and your long-term plans hang in the balance.
Do not go it alone. You need a Wyoming criminal defense attorney who understands the law, your freedoms, and the best path forward to protect your future.
Explanation of Your Constitutional Rights
When you explain what happened to a criminal defense lawyer, they can let you know if your Constitutional rights were violated. This includes illegal searches and seizures, lack of probable cause, failure to read Miranda, and other violations of due process.
Knowledge of Criminal Law and Procedure
A good defense attorney understands both state and federal law. Just as important, a defense lawyer knows how law enforcement are supposed to legally conduct themselves during an arrest and criminal investigation.
Careful Investigation Into Your Case
Your criminal defense lawyer can conduct an independent investigation into your case, which includes reviewing police reports, reviewing witness statements, reviewing evidence, and identifying inconsistencies in the case against you.
Negotiation with Wyoming Prosecutors
A defense attorney can negotiate with Wyoming prosecutors to help get your charges dropped or reduced. A dense lawyer can also identify better resolutions for you, such as plea bargains, deferred sentencing, and alternative sentencing.
Help with Expungement and Life After Conviction
If you are convicted or plead guilty to a lesser charge, your defense attorney can discuss what to expect moving forward. When possible, your defense lawyer may offer assistance with expungement, which can seal or limit access to your criminal record.
Why Choose Keller Law Firm, P.C. for Criminal Defense Representation
If you’ve been charged with a misdemeanor or felony in Wyoming, you need a criminal defense attorney from Keller Law Firm, P.C. Our team is committed to protecting your rights as a Wyomingite.
- We Honor Wyoming’s Spirit of Independence: Wyoming is a freedom-loving state, and our firm wants to embody this spirit of independence. We defend those who are unable to defend themselves.
- We Are Loyal to the Bighorn Basin: We aren’t just suits and ties here. We live in the Bighorn Basin and want to look out for our neighbors throughout the region.
- Our Word Is Our Bond: Whenever our lawyers promise something, we want you to hold us to our word. Accountability allows us to put those words into action.
- We Fight to Win and We Never Quit: When you work with our firm, we will stand with you every step of the way. No matter the setback or the challenge, we rise to the occasion.
- Peace of Mind Throughout the Fight: Criminal cases are stressful. We understand, and we want to be your rock from beginning to end. Whenever you are overwhelmed, look to us for strength.
Contact a Wyoming Criminal Defense Attorney Near You
If you’re charged with a misdemeanor or felony in the Bighorn Basin, you need to hire a criminal defense attorney who fights to win and who will not quit. The team at Keller Law Firm, P.C. is here to answer the call. To request a consultation with a skilled criminal defense lawyer in Wyoming, contact our Thermopolis law office today.