Homicide Defense

Wyoming Murder Defense Attorney

A murder charge in Wyoming is the worst thing that can happen to a person legally. Life in prison or death is the penalty for first-degree murder. Second-degree murder can get you twenty years to life in prison. You need lawyers who have actually tried serious felony cases in Wyoming courts and are willing to do it again for you.

    Start Your Free Case Review

    1/4

    How can we reach you?

    2/4

    Tell Us About Your Case

    What criminal charge are you facing?

    3/4

    Case Location & Timeline



    4/4

    Home » Criminal Defense » Violent Crimes » Murder

    First Degree vs. Second Degree Murder in Wyoming

    Wyo. Stat. § 6-2-101 says that first-degree murder is when someone kills someone on purpose and with premeditation. The prosecution has to show that you planned the killing. You can get life in prison or death for first-degree murder. Wyoming is one of fewer than thirty states that still has a law that allows the death penalty. Second degree murder is killing someone on purpose with no regard for their life. It can happen with no planning and can get you 20 years to life in prison.

    There is more to the difference between first and second degree murder than just words. It decides what the punishment will be, what the defense will do, and, in the case of first-degree murder, whether the death penalty is an option. We need to look at every part of the prosecution’s theory: What proof is there that the crime was planned? Is there real proof of extreme disregard for human life, or should this case be charged with manslaughter?

    The Early Stages of a Wyoming Murder Investigation

    Police usually spend weeks gathering physical evidence, talking to witnesses, looking at surveillance footage, and putting together a story before they file murder charges. From the first day, we do our own investigation, looking at the physical evidence, finding forensic problems, checking the chain of custody, and talking to witnesses before their memories fade and the prosecution’s story becomes the only one anyone has heard.

    Self-defense in Wyoming Murder Cases

    In Wyoming, self-defense is a full defense to murder if it is properly proven. Wyo. Stat. § 6-2-602, the Castle Doctrine in Wyoming, says that you don’t have to run away if you are in a place where you have a legal right to be. Your defense is based on the fact that you used force, even deadly force, because you thought it was necessary to stop someone from dying or getting seriously hurt right away. We have taken self-defense cases to court in Wyoming and know how to build and present them well.

    Penalty Grid
    First Degree MurderSecond Degree MurderDeath PenaltyRecord
    Life or death20 years to lifeActive in WyomingPermanent – no expungement

    Related Charges We Also Defend

    Dark blue painted brick wall with uniform rectangular bricks in horizontal pattern.
    Aggravated Assault Serious injury, a weapon, or strangulation elevates charges to felony territory.
    Battery Physical contact that causes injury — often charged alongside assault.
    Domestic Violence When assault involves a household member, additional charges and consequences follow.
    Strangulation Wyoming treats strangulation as a separate felony — even without visible injury.
    Violent Crimes See all violent crime charges we defend in Wyoming.
    Self-Defense We build and argue self-defense claims at every stage of your case.

    Why Clients in Wyoming and South Dakota Choose Just Criminal Law

    gavel
    Former Prosecutors on Your Side

    Our attorneys spent years working for the state before switching sides. We know exactly how prosecutors build cases and exactly where to find the holes.

    icon of a shield that has a tick in the center
    Criminal Defense Is All We Do

    We do not split our focus between practice areas. Every attorney, every resource, every minute is focused on one thing: your criminal defense.

    location pin
    Local Knowledge That Matters

    We know the courts, the judges, and the prosecutors across Wyoming and western South Dakota. Local familiarity shapes strategy and strategy shapes outcomes.

    message box
    Spanish Language Services Available

    Servicios de traduccion en espanol disponibles. Every client fully understands their case, their options, and their rights.

    25+ Years of Success

    Real Results for Wyoming & South Dakota Clients

    • Dark blue painted brick wall with uniform rectangular bricks in horizontal pattern.
      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

    • Dark blue painted brick wall with uniform rectangular bricks in horizontal pattern.
      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

    • Dark blue painted brick wall with uniform rectangular bricks in horizontal pattern.
      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

    • Dark blue painted brick wall with uniform rectangular bricks in horizontal pattern.
      CASE DISMISSED
      Felony Child Abuse — Wyoming

      Client charged with accessory after the fact and aggravated child abuse — a felony. State unable to meet its burden of proof at preliminary hearing. Felony count dismissed.

      State v. Bullinger — Wyoming District Court

    See All Case Results
    Professional woman in blue blazer sitting at desk with documents and pen, smiling.

    Charged with a crime in Wyoming? Time is critical.

    The sooner you have an attorney, the more options you have.

    Schedule Your Case Review Call Now: (307) 686-6556
    Client Testimonials

    What Clients Say About Just Criminal Law

    Read More Client Stories

    Frequently asked questions about murder charges in Wyoming

    Yes. The death penalty is still in effect in Wyoming. In Wyoming, first-degree murder is the only crime that can get you the death penalty, but it is very rare. The death penalty makes first-degree murder cases very high-stakes and requires very experienced trial lawyers.

    First-degree murder needs premeditation, which means having a plan to kill. Second-degree murder is when someone acts carelessly and shows a complete lack of concern for human life, but they don’t plan to do it. The difference has a big impact on the range of possible penalties and the whole defense strategy. If you lower a charge from first to second degree or from murder to manslaughter, you could be in jail for decades longer.

    Yes, in some cases. Charges can be lowered if the evidence doesn’t support the higher charge. For instance, if premeditation can’t be proven or if self-defense is shown to be a valid reason. If the prosecution can’t meet its burden or if the evidence was obtained illegally, the case can be thrown out. Every case is different, and the way forward depends on the facts of each one.

    Absolutely not – not without an attorney present. This is the best advice we can give. What you say will be written down and used against you. Call us right away and clearly state your right to remain silent. The sooner we get involved, the more we can protect your rights during the investigation.

    View All FAQs

    Wyoming Criminal Defense — Communities We Serve

    We are based in Gillette, Wyoming, and serve clients across the state and into western South Dakota. Our team knows the local courts, prosecutors, and judges in every community we serve — and that local knowledge makes a real difference in criminal defense.

    Dark blue painted brick wall with uniform rectangular bricks in horizontal pattern.
    Wyoming
    Dark blue painted brick wall with uniform rectangular bricks in horizontal pattern.
    South Dakota
    Attending the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally?

    We provide on-call criminal defense for Rally-related arrests including DUI, drug charges, weapons offenses, and assault. Call us 24/7 during Rally week.

    Three professionally dressed individuals engaged in conversation in a wood-paneled office setting.

    Charged with DUI in Wyoming?

    Call before you plead. The 20-day license hearing window is already running.

      Start Your Free Case Review

      1/4

      How can we reach you?

      2/4

      Tell Us About Your Case

      What criminal charge are you facing?

      3/4

      Case Location & Timeline



      4/4