Domestic Violence Defense Attorney in Gillette, Wyoming

A domestic violence charge in Wyoming doesn’t go away because the other person doesn’t want to press charges. In Wyoming, the State decides whether to prosecute, not the alleged victim, and that surprises almost everyone we talk to. A first domestic battery is a misdemeanor, but repeat charges can climb into felony territory with up to 10 years in prison. Just Criminal Law defends people accused of domestic violence in Gillette and across Campbell County. Our founding attorney, Christina L. Williams, began her legal career as a special prosecutor handling domestic violence cases, so she knows exactly how the State builds them.

What Counts as Domestic Violence Under Wyoming Law

Wyoming’s domestic violence statutes apply to “household members,” a term defined in W.S. 35-21-102 that reaches well beyond spouses to include people who live together, share a child, or have dated. The two core charges are:

• Domestic battery (W.S. 6-2-511): a household member knowingly or recklessly causing bodily injury to another household member by physical force. A first offense is a misdemeanor, up to 6 months in jail and a fine up to $750.
• Domestic assault (W.S. 6-2-510): a household member attempting to cause bodily injury when they have the present ability to do it. Also a misdemeanor on a first offense.

Here’s where it gets serious. Domestic battery escalates with priors. A third or subsequent domestic battery within 10 years becomes a felony punishable by up to 10 years in prison and a $10,000 fine. Strangulation of a household member is charged separately as a felony under W.S. 6-2-509. A charge that starts as a misdemeanor can carry consequences that follow you for life, including a federal firearms prohibition that applies even to a misdemeanor domestic conviction.

No-Contact Orders and Protection Orders Are Not the Same Thing

People mix these up constantly, and the difference matters. A no-contact order is usually a condition of your bond in the criminal case. The judge imposes it, and violating it is a new crime, separate from the original charge, even if the alleged victim is the one who reaches out to you.

A protection order is a civil matter. The alleged victim petitions the court for it under Wyoming’s Domestic Violence Protection law (Title 35, Chapter 21). The court can issue a temporary order quickly and a longer order after a hearing. Violating a protection order is also a crime, under W.S. 6-4-404.

So you can be dealing with two separate orders from two separate cases at the same time, civil and criminal, each with its own rules. The practical advice is the same in both: do not contact the other person, do not have someone contact them for you, and let your attorney handle communication. One text can turn a defensible case into a second charge.

How Domestic Violence Cases Are Prosecuted in Campbell County

Domestic cases in Gillette are handled in the courts of the Sixth Judicial District, with misdemeanors and bond hearings in Campbell County Circuit Court and felony matters in the Sixth Judicial District Court. After an arrest, Wyoming law often requires a mandatory hold before release, and a no-contact order is commonly imposed at the first appearance.

Because the State, not the alleged victim, controls the prosecution, a recantation or a request to “drop it” doesn’t end the case. Prosecutors can and do move forward using 911 recordings, photographs, and officer testimony, even when the named victim stops cooperating. That’s the reality we prepare clients for from day one.

A Former DV Prosecutor on Your Side

Christina Williams started out prosecuting domestic violence cases for the State. She knows the playbook from the inside: how these cases are charged, what evidence prosecutors lean on when a witness won’t testify, and where the proof is weaker than it looks. That isn’t a line on a resume. It’s the practical knowledge that tells us which cases to fight at trial and which to resolve, and how.

We’re careful with what we promise. Some of these cases come down to one person’s word against another’s, and outcomes are never guaranteed. What we can do is make sure your side is fully developed and that the State is held to its burden on every element.

Why Clients in Gillette Choose Just Criminal Law

• A former DV prosecutor’s perspective: Christina L. Williams prosecuted domestic violence cases before defending them.
• Local courts, local knowledge: We handle cases throughout Campbell County and the Sixth Judicial District.
• 25+ years, 10,000+ cases: Our team has handled more than 10,000 criminal matters since 2009.
• Discreet, direct counsel: These cases are personal. We treat them that way.

Frequently Asked Questions About Domestic Violence Charges in Gillette

Is domestic violence a felony in Wyoming?

A first domestic battery or domestic assault is a misdemeanor in Wyoming. It becomes a felony when there are prior convictions, specifically a third or subsequent domestic battery within 10 years, which carries up to 10 years in prison and a $10,000 fine under W.S. 6-2-511. Strangulation of a household member is charged as a felony on its own under W.S. 6-2-509.

Can a domestic violence charge be dropped if the alleged victim doesn’t want to press charges?

Not directly. In Wyoming, the State decides whether to prosecute, not the alleged victim, so a request to drop the case doesn’t automatically end it. Prosecutors can proceed using 911 calls, photos, and police testimony even when the named victim won’t cooperate. The victim’s wishes can influence the prosecutor’s decision, but they don’t control it, which is why having an attorney communicate with the State early matters.

What is a no-contact order, and when is it lifted?

A no-contact order in a domestic case is usually a condition of bond, set by the criminal court, that bars you from contacting the alleged victim. It stays in place until the judge modifies or lifts it, which often doesn’t happen until the case resolves. It’s separate from a civil protection order, and violating either one is a new criminal charge, even if the other person initiates the contact.

Can I lose my gun rights over a domestic violence charge in Wyoming?

Yes, and this catches people off guard. Under federal law, even a misdemeanor domestic violence conviction can permanently bar you from possessing firearms. That consequence applies on top of any Wyoming penalty, which is one reason a domestic charge is worth taking seriously from the start.

Accused of domestic violence in Gillette or Campbell County? Call Just Criminal Law at (307) 300-2240 to speak with a former domestic violence prosecutor about your case, confidentially.