Aggressive, Experienced Defense for Clients Charged in Wyoming, South Dakota, & Beyond

Just Criminal Law

It’s All We Do

Serving Wyoming & South Dakota Since 2009

Trusted by Hundreds of Clients

See How We’ve Defended the Freedom of People in Wyoming & South Dakota

Criminal convictions can carry lifetime consequences. You only get one shot at justice — one chance to minimize the impact these charges can have on your life. You need experienced, aggressive attorneys on your side to protect your rights. At Just Criminal Law, we protect our clients’ one shot at justice by aggressively defending them against criminal charges and helping them understand the lifelong consequences of a conviction.

Our founder, Christina L. Williams, and her team help people charged with crimes in Wyoming and South Dakota. Whether you are facing your first misdemeanor or a habitual felony, we will take the time to make sure you understand what this case means for you, your family, and your livelihood.

Former Prosecutor Perspective

25+ Years Criminal Defense Experience

Serving Wyoming & South Dakota

Spanish Translation Available

Comprehensive Legal Defense

Protecting Your Rights in WY & SD Criminal Courts

Criminal convictions can carry lifetime consequences. You only get one shot at justice — one chance to minimize the impact these charges can have on your life. You need experienced, aggressive attorneys on your side to protect your rights. At Just Criminal Law, we protect our clients’ one shot at justice by aggressively defending their criminal charges and helping them understand the lifetime consequences of conviction.

DUI Defense

View All Criminal Defense Services

25+ Years of Success

Real Case Results for Our Wyoming & South Dakota Clients

Every case is unique, but our firm is committed to creating defense strategies tailored to each client’s situation and pursuing the best possible outcome.

Other
Suppression Appeal — Wyoming Supreme Court
District Court denied motion to suppress. Wyoming Supreme Court accepted certiorari on appeal.

Barney v. State of Wyoming — Wyoming Supreme Court
CASE DISMISSED
Reckless Endangering / Domestic Battery / Child Endangering — Wyoming
Client charged with reckless endangering, domestic battery, and child endangering. All charges dismissed.

State v. Quezada-Lopez — Wyoming Circuit Court
CASE DISMISSED
DUI / DWUI — Wyoming
Client charged with DUI. State unable to lay foundation for the breath test. Case dismissed.

State v. Von Olnhausen — Wyoming Circuit Court

View All Case Results

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Local Knowledge. Proven Results.

Decades of Experience Navigating the High Plains Legal System

As a former prosecutor, founding attorney Christina L. Williams understands how the system works from both sides. Our team carefully investigates every case, identifies weaknesses in the prosecution’s evidence, and develops strategic defenses tailored to each client’s circumstances.

Ms. Williams evaluates each case from a prosecutor’s perspective and provides clients with realistic guidance about possible outcomes while aggressively protecting their rights.

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Meet Your Criminal Defense Advocates

A Powerhouse Defense Team Standing Between You & the Prosecution

Our founder, criminal defense attorney Christina L. Williams, has been dedicated to criminal law for over 25 years. Her team represents clients throughout Wyoming and South Dakota.

Ms. Williams evaluates each case from a prosecutor’s perspective and provides clients with realistic guidance about possible outcomes while aggressively protecting their rights.

Meet the Team

Christiana L. Williams Founding Attorney
Sara Lock Associate Attorney
Maureen Costello Paralegal/Office Manager
Tony Seeman Criminal Investigator
Gina Grimm Legal Intake Specialist
Paige Oedekoven Receptionist
Dalton Upton Digital Marketing

Meet the Team

What to Expect Next

Your Roadmap Through the WY & SD Criminal Justice Process

It can be hard to know what to do when you are facing criminal charges. The team at Just Criminal Law will help you through every step of the criminal justice process, from the first time you call our office to the end of your case.

We think that clients should know what’s going on with their case and what their options are. Our team will take the time to explain the process, answer your questions, and give you realistic advice so you can make smart choices about your defense.

What You Can Expect From Our Team

Thorough Case Evaluation

We review the details of your case, examine the evidence, and identify possible defenses and holes in the prosecution’s case.

Strategic Defense Planning

Every case is unique. We develop a defense plan tailored to your situation and the charges you are facing.

Clear Communication

Our team will keep you up to date on what’s going on with your case and make sure you know all of your options every step of the way.

Prepared for Trial

We prepare every case as if it might go to trial, even though most cases are settled through negotiation. This way, we are ready to defend you when it matters most.

Regional Legal Authority

Serving Clients Across Wyoming & South Dakota

When your freedom is on the line, you need a legal team that knows the local prosecutors, judges, and court procedures. From our offices in Gillette and Casper, we provide strategic criminal defense for residents and visitors across the High Plains.

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Gillette & 
Northeast WY

Casper & 
Central WY

Western & 
Southern WY

SD & 
Black Hills

View Areas We Serve

Frequently Asked Questions

Critical Answers for Your Wyoming or South Dakota Arrest

If you have been arrested and are facing criminal charges in Wyoming, you should expect to show up in court on several occasions:

Arraignment or Initial Appearance: Charges are read, and an initial plea is entered (not guilty you plan to hire a lawyer).

Indictment or Preliminary Hearing: Only in felony cases (and Class 1 misdemeanors in South Dakota), these hearings are held before a grand jury (indictment) or a judge (preliminary hearing) to determine if there is “probable cause” that a crime was committed by the defendant. In Wyoming, this must happen within 10 days of your Initial Appearance if you are in jail or 20 days if you have been released on bail. In South Dakota, the deadlines are 15 days in custody or 45 days on bail.

Plea Bargaining: The prosecutor and your criminal defense attorney meet to discuss possible pleas and exchange information. If you decide to take a plea bargain, you will be required to appear before the judge and make a statement.

Jury or Bench Trial: The prosecutor and your attorney present evidence of your guilt or innocence. You have a right to a jury trial if you are facing jail time or have been charged with drunk driving in Wyoming. If you waive that right, or if your misdemeanor involves no jail time, your case will be decided by a judge.

Pre-Sentence Investigation: In felony cases, you will be interviewed by the probation department, and a report will be prepared for the judge.

Sentencing Hearing: If you are charged with a misdemeanor, this may happen immediately after your plea bargain or trial. For felony cases, there is a separate hearing. The judge will review the circumstances of your case and impose a penalty, which may start immediately after the hearing.

The judge will evaluate several factors to decide your sentence, including:

Criminal history
Family support
Employment history
Social history
Circumstances of the case
Risk of danger to others
Risk of future alcohol or substance abuse

In misdemeanor cases, the decision is made without an independent investigation and is at the judge’s discretion, subject to a maximum set by law. In felony cases, a pre-sentence investigation report will result in sentencing guidelines, which are ranges of possible jail or prison terms. The court may also consider alternative programs, such as inpatient substance abuse treatment or probation. Your criminal defense attorney will argue on your behalf to help reduce your sentence.

If you are convicted of a felony, you may lose certain rights:

To possess or own firearms
To vote
To hold public office.

You may also lose your freedom during the jail or prison sentence and may have additional restrictions placed on you as terms of your probation. Felons are also required to submit to DNA testing.

The terms of your probation, including how long it lasts, will be laid out in the order of probation, which describes what you are required to do. The most basic terms of probation require a criminal defendant to:

Meet regularly with your probation officer by phone or in person
Appear at all court hearings
Pay fines and restitution (money to victims)
Do not travel out of state without permission from your probation officer
Follow all local, state, and federal laws
Avoid illegal drug use.

Depending on the charge and the circumstances in your case, you may also be required to:

Avoid contact with the victim
Avoid places connected with the crime
Take drug and alcohol testing
Attend substance abuse programs
Attend mental health programs.

A criminal conviction for a sex offense often means you need to register as a sex offender. Sex offenders must provide law enforcement with the following:

Name, including aliases
Address
Date and place of birth
Social security number
Place of employment
Date and place of conviction;
Crime convicted
Schools where employed or attending classes
License plate number and description of each vehicle owned or operated
DNA sample

It is up to the sex offender to keep this information up to date. In Wyoming, registration lasts for 10 years unless the conviction is aggravated or a second offense.

Information regarding a sex offender’s residence, place of employment, and other details is made part of a public online registry. The state may also send a notification to neighbors if the court believes there is a risk of a repeat offense.

You can ask the court to expunge a conviction after your sentence is complete. These records do not disappear; they are removed from public records and used only for court purposes. Whether you qualify depends on the state and the charge.

Wyoming

Your record can be expunged if you are a juvenile with a non-violent misdemeanor or ordinance conviction who is turning 18 with no other convictions. For adult misdemeanors, you must:

Have a misdemeanor conviction for assault, battery, reckless endangerment, or breach of the peace that doesn’t involve a firearm
Wait 5 years after your sentence is completed
Never have been convicted of the same crime on another occasion
Never have had another conviction expunged

If you have a felony conviction, you must:

Have a felony conviction that is non-violent, doesn’t involve a firearm, and doesn’t require sex registration
Wait 10 years after your sentence is complete
Never have been convicted of any other felony

South Dakota

Your criminal conviction can be expunged if you:

Wait 10 years after the offense occurred
Are at least 75 years old (for felonies)
Have no other convictions
Were not convicted of a Class A, B, 1 or 2 felony
Undergo an alcohol evaluation and submit records of recommendation (for DUI convictions)

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Expert Insights: Fighting Charges in the Mountain West

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Protect Your Future Today

Schedule Your Personalized Case Review

When you are facing criminal charges, timing is critical. Contact Just Criminal Law today to schedule your personalized case review and strategy session.

Phone:

(307) 686-6556

Schedule Your Case Review