What To Do If You’ve Been Charged with Domestic Violence in Wyoming

Allegations of domestic violence can rip a family apart. These are serious criminal charges, and a conviction could have lifelong consequences, including fines, jail time, and a profound impact on your family life. Fortunately, there are steps you can take to protect yourself against the most severe consequences and defend yourself against criminal charges.

Assert Your Right to Remain Silent

Any time you face the possibility of criminal charges, remember your Fifth Amendment right to remain silent.

When the police are called to a domestic dispute, they have no idea what happened and will begin asking questions. Avoid the trap of saying too much to police officers if there is a potential that you will be charged with a crime. And remember—anything you say can and will be used against you.

Do your best to avoid speaking to law enforcement officers about the facts or circumstances of the case. If you are asked questions, tell the police officer that you are asserting your Fifth Amendment right to remain silent and ask to speak to a criminal defense attorney.

Ask to Speak to an Attorney

The most important step you can take to minimize the consequences of a domestic violence charge and avoid a conviction is to contact an attorney right away.

Your attorney will explain the charges against you and protect your rights so that you do not unwittingly say something that can be used against you.

Anything you discuss with your lawyer is covered by the attorney-client privilege. This means that no one—not the police or even the judge—can ask about what you discussed with your lawyer.

When you discuss your case with your lawyer, it’s best to tell your lawyer everything that happened, even if you think you’re guilty. It is far better for your lawyer to know everything about your case than to be blindsided by a crucial piece of information. By knowing everything that happened, your lawyer can prepare a defense strategy that will address your unique situation and improve the likelihood of a successful result.

Avoid Talking to Family and Friends About Your Case

A criminal charge is a stressful event. It’s natural to want to discuss your case with family and friends. But unlike conversations with your lawyer, which are privileged, anything you say during a conversation with friends and family members can potentially be used against you.

It is best to simply tell your friends and family that you cannot discuss the case until it is over.

Appear in Court

After you have been arrested the court will schedule your initial appearance and other dates in your criminal case. It is critically important that you appear at all scheduled court dates. If you fail to appear, the court can issue a warrant for your arrest. You will also forfeit the bond you posted, and you may be charged with additional crimes.

Mount an Aggressive Defense

When you work with Christina L. Williams and her criminal defense team, we will conduct an independent investigation into the circumstances of your case and prepare an aggressive defense.

Many cases of domestic violence are a classic “he-said-she-said” situation. As part of our strategy, we will investigate the accuser and any ulterior motives which can be used to show that they are not a credible witness.

In addition, we will explore fact-based defenses, like arguing that you did not commit the crime you are accused of, that the acts of violence were accidental or the result of a misunderstanding, that you were acting in self-defense, or that the violence was a result of the victim’s behavior.

We will also explore technical legal defenses, such as problems with police investigation tactics, denying your request to speak to a lawyer, questioning you after you asserted your right to remain silent, problems with the sufficiency of the evidence or how it was collected, and bias against the accused.

Just Criminal Law Protects Your One Shot at Justice

Allegations of domestic violence are scary, and the consequences of a conviction are high. Protect yourself, your reputation, and your future by hiring the skilled and experienced criminal defense team at Just Criminal Law. Led by former prosecutor Christina L. Williams, we will put your needs front and center, answer any questions you have about the charges against you, and vigorously defend you against the criminal charges you are facing.

Learn why people choose us, read about our record of success, and contact us today to schedule your personalized case review and strategy session.

Allegations of domestic violence are serious and should not be taken lightly. Contact our team to protect yourself and your one shot at justice.

DISCLAIMER: The information contained in this article is offered for educational purposes only. This information is not offered as legal advice. A person accused of a crime should always consult with an attorney before making decisions that have legal consequences.