Pre-File Investigation Attorney

Strategic Defense for Wyoming and South Dakota Investigations

If you or a loved one has been contacted by law enforcement, or you’ve learned you’re “a person of interest,” you’re at a critical moment. 

Before any charge is filed, investigators and prosecutors are gathering statements, documents, and digital evidence that can shape (or decide) the case. Acting now can change the outcome.

At Just Criminal Law, we stand between you and the government from day one. Led by former prosecutors, our team knows how charging decisions are made and what it takes to prevent charges, narrow the allegations, or secure a self-surrender on favorable terms if filing is unavoidable.

Why people call us in the pre-file stage:

• Former prosecutors with decades of combined criminal law experience
• Early intervention to protect your rights and influence charging decisions
• Strategic communications with investigators and prosecutors on our terms
• Rapid evidence preservation (subpoenas, preservation letters, experts)
• Flat-fee representation, clear communication, and privacy-focused counsel

Call (307) 300-2240 or contact us online for a confidential consultation.

Your Defense Team: Christina L. Williams & Josh Taylor

• Christina L. Williams — Former prosecutor with 15+ years of experience. Christina anticipates the state’s strategy, controls information flow, and builds a defense that challenges the evidence at every turn.
• Josh Taylor — Former Special Assistant U.S. Attorney and experienced trial lawyer. Josh is known for meticulous preparation and the ability to dismantle the government’s case piece by piece, starting before charges are filed.

Together with our support staff, our attorneys have helped countless clients protect their rights, freedoms, and futures. Here’s what some of them have to say about working with our team:

“They reassured and walked me through every step of the process.”

I would l highly recommend Just Criminal Law to anyone who needs the level of expertise they provide and I was given. – Former Client

“I can’t thank Just Criminal Law enough! They made the process very simple and didn’t require any leg work for me.”

I feel like I was valued as a client further than the courtroom. I recommend them to anyone in need of support in their corner! – Former Client

What “Pre-File” Means And Why It Matters

In Wyoming and South Dakota, a prosecutor doesn’t have to charge you the moment police complete their reports. Instead, many cases enter a “pre-file” stage where law enforcement and the prosecutor’s office quietly build their case. This stage is critical because it’s your best chance to influence whether charges are filed, how serious they are, and what conditions you may face.

Key features of the pre-file stage:

• Evidence Review – Prosecutors study police reports, witness statements, and physical or digital evidence.
• Charging Decisions – The state decides whether to file, what level of charge to pursue (felony vs. misdemeanor), or whether to decline.
• Leverage for Defense – A skilled attorney can point out flaws, present missing context, and push for lesser or no charges.
• Protecting Your Rights – Early intervention keeps you from being blindsided by interrogations, search warrants, or sudden arrests.

Once charges are filed, the system is much harder to influence. Acting during this stage may prevent life-altering consequences before they begin.

How We Intervene Before Charges Are Filed

We tailor the plan to the case, but common pre-file actions include:

• Gateway & Shield: All law-enforcement contact goes through us. We invoke your rights, stop surprise interviews, and prevent casual statements from becoming Exhibit A.
• Evidence Preservation: Rapid letters to secure CCTV, 911 audio, body-cam, EDR/telematics, cell-phone backups, access logs, bank data, and medical records.
• Independent Investigation: Defense-side witness interviews; accident reconstruction; forensic accounting; digital forensics; scene photos; timelines.
• Targeted Submissions: Where smart, we deliver a tightly curated packet (key documents, expert memos, legal arguments, mitigation) to the charging attorney.
• Testing & Re-Testing: Independent lab review of blood, DNA, or toxicology where relevant.
• Resolution Planning: If filing seems likely, we negotiate charge scope, conditions, and self-surrender to avoid unnecessary detention and publicity.

What You Should and Shouldn’t Do Right Now

Do:

• Call a defense lawyer before you return any investigator’s call.
• Save everything: texts, emails, call logs, devices, receipts, photos, video.
• Make a private timeline of events while details are fresh.
• Refer all calls to your attorney. “My lawyer will contact you.”

Don’t:

• Don’t meet “just to clear things up.” Even the innocent can be trapped by partial information or leading questions.
• Don’t delete messages, wipe devices, or “clean up” accounts. That can be spun as consciousness of guilt or obstruction.
• Don’t discuss the matter with anyone but your lawyer, not friends, coworkers, or social media.

Evidence We Move Fast To Secure

The hours and days right after you learn you’re under investigation are critical. Evidence can disappear, be overwritten, or get spun by the state before you ever see it. Our team prioritizes immediate preservation and collection so the full picture is available, not just the version investigators want to tell.

Examples of evidence we move quickly to secure include:

• Digital Records: Phone location data, text messages, app communications, and email archives.
• Audio & Video: 911 recordings, police body-worn camera footage, in-car dash cams, security camera video, and doorbell video.
• Physical Evidence: Photos of vehicles, homes, or scenes before they are altered or repaired.
• Official Reports: Dispatch logs, CAD (computer-aided dispatch) records, and initial officer narratives.
• Financial & Transaction Data: Bank statements, credit card activity, point-of-sale records, and receipts that establish timelines.
• Medical & Toxicology Records: Independent blood draws, hospital records, and lab results that may contradict state testing.

By moving quickly, we preserve materials that can be the difference between charges being filed or avoided entirely.

Communications With Investigators: On Our Terms

One of the biggest risks at the pre-file stage is talking to investigators directly. Even innocent explanations can be twisted or taken out of context. Our role is to step in, control communications, and make sure nothing jeopardizes your case.

How we manage communication:

• Gatekeeper Role: We act as the point of contact, shielding you from surprise questioning or “off the record” conversations.
• Strategic Engagement: When it benefits your defense, we provide limited, targeted information to correct false narratives, on the record and through counsel.
• Controlled Interviews: If speaking with investigators is truly advantageous, we set strict parameters, prepare you thoroughly, and attend the meeting to safeguard your rights.
• Declining When Necessary: In many cases, the best move is to politely decline any interview. We make sure your silence cannot be used against you.
• Professional Advocacy: We communicate with prosecutors directly, highlighting flaws in the investigation and offering reasons why charges should not be filed or should be reduced.

This careful, strategic handling of communication often determines whether the government views you as a passive target or someone backed by experienced counsel who will challenge every step of their case.

Felony-Focused Pre-File Representation

Many pre-file matters involve serious allegations where prison time is on the table. We routinely handle early-stage investigations tied to:

• Violent/Domestic Allegations: aggravated assault, strangulation
• Serious DUI & Vehicular Homicide
• Financial Crimes: embezzlement, fraud, forgery
• Sex Offense Accusations
• Weapons Offenses

In both Wyoming and South Dakota, prosecutors can and do file quickly when they believe they have enough. Getting counsel involved before that line is crossed can change the charge or stop it altogether.

If Charges Are Filed Anyway What Happens Next?

Even with strong pre-file advocacy, some prosecutors move forward with charges. If that happens, being prepared makes all the difference.

What to expect once charges are filed:

• Initial Appearance – Your first court date where the judge advises you of the charges and sets bail or release conditions.
• Bond Arguments – We fight to minimize or eliminate bond so you can remain free while your case is pending.
• Preliminary Hearing – Prosecutors must show probable cause that a crime was committed and you committed it. This is an early opportunity to test the strength of their evidence.
• Arraignment – You enter a plea, and the court sets deadlines for motions and trial.
• Pre-Trial Process – Includes discovery (evidence exchange), motion hearings, and negotiations.
• Trial or Resolution – If necessary, we take your case to trial, fully prepared to challenge every aspect of the government’s case.

If we’ve already investigated, preserved evidence, and positioned your defense during the pre-file stage, you start this process with leverage instead of playing catch-up against the government.

Pre-File Investigation FAQ

How Will I Know I’m Under Investigation?

Common signs include officer calls, home/work visits, requests for “a quick chat,” or subpoenas/warrants for records. Call us before you respond.

Should I Talk To Police If I’m Innocent?

No, not without a lawyer. Innocent people can be misquoted or misunderstood. We can share the right information the right way.

Can a Lawyer Stop Charges From Being Filed?

Sometimes. We’ve seen cases declined or reduced after targeted pre-file advocacy. Results depend on facts and discretion, but early counsel gives you the best shot.

Will Hiring a Lawyer Make Me Look Guilty?

No. It shows you know your rights. Prosecutors expect represented people to communicate through counsel.

Do You Handle South Dakota Matters Too?

Yes. We represent clients throughout Wyoming and in South Dakota, tailoring strategy to the local court and prosecutor.

Take Control Of The Situation. Call (307) 300-2240.

The pre-file stage is your best chance to shape the case. Don’t wait for the system to make the next move. Let us step in, protect your rights, and start building your defense today.

Call (307) 300-2240 or contact us online for a confidential consultation.
We serve clients across Wyoming and South Dakota and will travel up to 120 miles from our Gillette office.