Domestic Violence Defense Attorney in Cheyenne, Wyoming

A domestic violence arrest in Cheyenne sets two things in motion at once: a criminal case the Laramie County District Attorney controls, and often a no-contact order you have to follow immediately. The alleged victim can’t simply call it off, because in Wyoming the State decides whether to prosecute. A first domestic battery is a misdemeanor, but prior offenses can push a charge into felony range with up to 10 years in prison. Just Criminal Law defends people accused of domestic violence in Cheyenne and throughout Laramie County. Our founding attorney, Christina L. Williams, began her legal career as a special prosecutor handling domestic violence cases, so she understands these prosecutions from the inside out.

What the Law Actually Covers

Wyoming’s domestic violence laws apply to “household members,” a category defined in W.S. 35-21-102 that includes spouses and ex-spouses, people who share a residence, co-parents, and dating partners. Two charges anchor most cases:

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

Where it turns serious is on repeat charges. A third or subsequent domestic battery within 10 years becomes a felony with 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. On top of the Wyoming penalty, federal law can strip your firearm rights even after a misdemeanor domestic conviction, which is one of the less obvious but more lasting consequences.

No-Contact Orders and Protection Orders Are Different

These two get blurred together constantly, and the mistake is costly.

A no-contact order is part of the criminal case, usually a condition of bond imposed by the court. It bars you from contacting the alleged victim, and a violation is a new crime, full stop, even if that person is the one who reaches out.

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

You may be under both at the same time. Either way, the rule for you doesn’t change: no contact of any kind, and no using someone else to relay a message. Let your attorney handle communication with the court and the other side. A single text has turned defensible cases into second charges more times than we’d like.

How Domestic Cases Are Handled in Laramie County

Cheyenne domestic cases proceed through the First Judicial District, with misdemeanors and bond hearings in Laramie County Circuit Court and felony matters in the First Judicial District Court. A no-contact order is commonly imposed at the first appearance, and Wyoming law often requires a hold before release following a domestic arrest.

Because the prosecutor, not the alleged victim, drives the case, a change of heart doesn’t end it. The State can and does proceed on 911 calls, photos, and officer testimony when a witness stops cooperating. We make sure clients understand that early, so no one is blindsided when the case keeps moving.

A Prosecutor’s Background, Working for You

Christina Williams spent the start of her career prosecuting domestic violence cases. She knows how the State charges them, what evidence it falls back on when the named victim won’t testify, and where the proof tends to be thin. That knowledge shapes the defense in practical ways: it tells us when to challenge the case at trial in Laramie County, when a negotiated resolution serves you better, and how to pursue either.

We’re upfront about the limits. These cases often come down to one account against another, and outcomes can’t be promised. What we will do is hold the State to its burden on every element and make sure your side of the story is fully developed.

Why Clients in Cheyenne Choose Just Criminal Law

• A former DV prosecutor’s perspective: Christina L. Williams prosecuted domestic violence cases before defending them.
• Laramie County experience: We handle domestic cases throughout the First Judicial District.
• 25+ years, 10,000+ cases: Across Wyoming and South Dakota since 2009.
• Discreet and direct: We treat these personal cases with the care they require.

Frequently Asked Questions About Domestic Violence Charges in Cheyenne

Is domestic violence a felony in Wyoming?

A first domestic battery or domestic assault is a misdemeanor. It becomes a felony with prior convictions, specifically a third or subsequent domestic battery within 10 years, carrying up to 10 years in prison and a $10,000 fine under W.S. 6-2-511. Strangulation of a household member is a standalone felony 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 won’t automatically end it. Prosecutors can continue using 911 audio, photographs, and police testimony even when the named victim won’t participate. The victim’s wishes may influence the prosecutor, but they don’t control the outcome, which is why involving an attorney early is important.

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, prohibiting contact with the alleged victim. It stays in effect until a judge modifies or lifts it, frequently not until the case resolves. It’s distinct from a civil protection order, and violating either is a new criminal charge, regardless of who initiates the contact.

Can I lose my right to own a gun over a domestic violence charge?

Yes. Under federal law, even a misdemeanor domestic violence conviction can permanently bar you from possessing firearms. That consequence applies on top of any sentence Wyoming imposes, which is a major reason to take a domestic charge seriously from the very beginning.

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