Pre-File Investigation Attorney | Wyoming & South Dakota

Why Retaining an Attorney Before Charges Are Filed Can Change Everything

People usually hire a defense lawyer only after they have been charged with a crime. That is one of the most expensive mistakes someone under review can make. When charges are filed, law enforcement has usually spent weeks or months building its case by interviewing witnesses, gathering physical evidence, reviewing financial records, and executing search warrants. An attorney you hire during the investigation can protect your rights while the case is still being built, not after it’s over.

What Happens in Wyoming During a Pre-File Criminal Investigation

A pre-file investigation is the period between when the police begin investigating a possible crime and when the prosecutor officially files charges. Detectives may try to talk to you during this time, sometimes saying it is just routine or for information. They might ask you for permission to search your home, car, or electronic devices. They might talk to people in your life. Every time the police talk to you during an investigation, they can collect evidence. Your lawyer can also use this chance to protect you.

How an Attorney Can Help Before You Are Charged

If you hire Just Criminal Law during a pre-file investigation, we can keep an eye on the investigation, talk to investigators and prosecutors on your behalf, keep you from incriminating yourself, and keep evidence that is good for your defense before it disappears. In some cases, getting a lawyer involved early on lets us give prosecutors information that clears our client before they decide to file charges. This can lead to charges being filed at a lower level or not at all. After the fact, this kind of early intervention is not possible.

Your Rights During a Criminal Investigation in Wyoming

You have the right not to say anything during a criminal investigation (right to remain silent). You can say no to searches of your home, car, and electronic devices. You have the right to have a lawyer with you during any questioning. These rights exist because what you say and agree to during an investigation can and will be used against you. When you find out you’re being investigated, the most important thing you can do is to politely but clearly exercise your rights and call a lawyer right away.

Common Pre-File Investigation Scenarios We Handle

We help clients in a lot of different pre-file situations, like white-collar and fraud investigations where financial records are being looked at, domestic violence cases where the police are deciding whether or not to file charges, drug investigations where a controlled buy has happened, and serious felony investigations where someone has been named a suspect but not yet arrested. The same rule applies in every case: the sooner we get involved, the more we can do. If you think you are being investigated, call Just Criminal Law right away.

Related Charges We Also Defend

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

Felonies Most serious pre-file investigations are building toward felony charges.

Drug Crimes Drug investigations often involve extended pre-charge surveillance and controlled buys.

Fraud & Financial Crimes Financial crime investigations frequently involve months of record review before any arrest.

Domestic Violence Early intervention in a domestic violence investigation can sometimes prevent charges from being filed.

Sex Crimes Sex crime investigations move quickly and benefit enormously from early attorney involvement.

Warrants Understanding search and arrest warrants during an investigation is critical.

Why Clients in Wyoming and South Dakota Choose Just Criminal Law

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.

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.

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.

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

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
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

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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

    
 
 
       Ray T 
 
 
  Just Criminal law is an excellent team. I was very fortunate to have them representing me. I highly recommend them.
  
 
      Marcus F 
 
 
  Great law firm. Very pleased with the communication and outcome. Thank you Maureen, Sara and Paige for all of the assistance. 10/10 experience.
  
 
      Mike D 
 
 
  Just Criminal Law was the best decision I made to help me with my DUI. I was visiting Cody Wyoming and made a bad judgment decision and drove back to my hotel after dinner & drinks. I was pulled over and arrested for DUI. I contacted Just Criminal Law. The consultation was really helpful and informative, they gave me a timeline and cost. I was well informed every step of the way. I paid the fee up front and thought the fee was very reasonable for my situation. Sara, my lawyer was very helpful and even seemed to care about me and getting me the best outcome possible. At the end at court the judgment was a reasonable verdict and one that didn’t end my career or take my driving privileges away.
I highly recommend Just Criminal Law to represent anyone in need of a good lawyer to navigate the laws and courts on your behalf.
  
 
      Janeece F 
 
 
  ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Exceptional attorney Sara Lock and exceptional results with all of her team working with her and beside her. From our first meeting, it was clear that this lawyer was experienced, confident, and fully invested in achieving the best outcome possible. Their preparation, courtroom presence, and ability to navigate complex legal issues were truly impressive.

Throughout the process, I always felt informed and knew I had someone fighting tirelessly on my behalf. The outcome they achieved was life-changing, and I will be forever grateful. I recommend them without hesitation to anyone seeking top-tier legal representation.
  
 
      Jerod J 
 
 
  They did a great job!! Would recommend and give 10 stars if it would let me.
  
 
      Gwen 
 
 
  I, unfortunately needed an attorney. Members of Just Criminal Law listened to my side, viewed what proof I had and began building my defense. The was kept informed of the progress and I my case, I went from possible jail and suspended license to only a $105 fine!
My case might not look like yours but if you are in need of a defense attorney I strongly recommend Just Criminal Law to defend you.
  
 
      Kels R 
 
 
  They worked with me and highly recommend this law firm if you’re in any trouble out of state! I was unfortunately pulled over for speeding and got caught with marijuana and I am from California where it’s legal and I didn’t know that the state of Wyoming was illegal for recreational and medical use. I didn’t know that it can end up as a misdemeanor and me coming from California. It was a huge surprise.! Ended up calling this law firm and they called me back within less than 24 hours taking my case seriously. Highly recommend Sara .L and Maureen Who has helped me throughout this progress and a big shout out to Paige for answering my calls and questions when needed. I thought this experience was going to be a rough time Cause I am from California and this was a Wyoming case. With that being said, I do not have a criminal record or a misdemeanor on my record. They had worked with the court and the paralegal to give me a good reasoning if you’re traveling from another state and you get caught with any reason, please contact this law firm they were amazing, friendly fast and I would highly recommend this to my friends and family in the future. Thank you again! Tiren H
  
 
      Kristy 
 
 
  We were a little impatient,  but Just Criminal kept us calm and informed during the whole process. Would recommend 100% and already had a friend get a free consultation.
  
 
      Janaye D 
 
 
  Everyone at Just Law was wonderful! I initially called on a Sunday, not expecting to be contacted until the next day, but I received a call about 2 hours after that! I was scheduled for the next day, and it took off from there. Everyone was so nice and understanding as I sat blubbering in the office. I was so grateful for their kindness and compassion, as well as how hard they worked to get me the best deal. Special shout-out to Sarah for the time she spent going to bat for me, and explaining everything so I could understand what was happening or going to happen. Thanks for everything!!
  
 
      Phillip M 
 
 
  Would highly recommend. Great people to work with.

Frequently Asked Questions About Criminal Investigations in Wyoming

No, not without a lawyer there. This is one of the best pieces of advice a criminal defense lawyer can give you. Police officers learn to conduct interviews in ways that get people to say things that could hurt their case. When these explanations are written down in a police report, they can sound bad. You have the right not to say anything and to have a lawyer with you when you answer questions. Say clearly but politely, “I want to talk to a lawyer before I answer any questions.” Then call us.

If you are called a “target” of a criminal investigation, it means that the police or prosecutors think you are the main person they are looking into and that you are likely to be charged. This is different from being a “subject” (someone whose actions are under scrutiny) or a “witness” (someone with useful information but not personally suspected). If the police tell you that you are a target or you get a grand jury subpoena, you should hire a lawyer right away. These terms mean that charges are being seriously considered.

No, most searches need a warrant based on probable cause, according to the Fourth Amendment. There are, however, some exceptions. These are searches that occur after a legal arrest, in plain view, and in urgent situations. Law enforcement often asks for permission because it eliminates the need for a warrant. Politely saying no to consent does not give police the right to search; it just protects your rights under the Constitution. They will carry out the warrant no matter what.

An investigation is the time when police gather proof and build a case. You haven’t been officially charged with a crime. If you are formally charged, it means the prosecutor has filed a criminal complaint or information, or, in some cases, a grand jury has returned an indictment, alleging that you are guilty of a specific crime. The investigation comes before charges are filed and determines what charges, if any, are filed. Lawyers can influence both the decision to charge and the level of charges during the investigation.

There is no fixed time limit on how long a pre-charge investigation can last, but Wyoming’s statutes of limitations set the outer boundary on how long a prosecutor can wait to file charges after the alleged crime occurred. For serious felonies, the time limit for filing charges can be several years. For some crimes, especially those involving minors or fraud, the clock may not start until the crime is discovered. A long investigation without charges isn’t always a good sign; it could mean the investigation is still ongoing and getting bigger. It is helpful to have an attorney involved during this time, no matter how long it lasts.

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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.

Wyoming

South Dakota

Deadwood
Sturgis (Rally)
Custer County
Lawrence County
Meade County
Pennington County

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Wyoming Pre-File Criminal Investigation Attorney

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