Self-Defense Lawyer

Defending Clients Across Wyoming and South Dakota

If you’ve been charged after using force to defend yourself, your home, or someone else, you’re likely facing serious consequences, such as felony charges, prison time, and the possibility of a permanent criminal record. Wyoming law protects the right to self-defense, but prosecutors don’t always see the full picture.

At Just Criminal Law, we stand with people who are being prosecuted for doing what they believed was right. Whether you’re facing assault, aggravated assault, or homicide charges, our team builds strategic defenses rooted in Wyoming’s Stand Your Ground and Castle Doctrine laws, and we know how to push back when the government overreaches.

Why we’re trusted by clients across Wyoming and South Dakota:

• Former prosecutors who know how the state prepares its case
• Extensive experience defending assault and homicide charges
• Tailored strategies based on self-defense and use-of-force law
• Personalized case reviews and transparent flat-fee pricing

If you’ve been charged with a crime after acting in self defense, it’s time to speak with a lawyer. Call (307) 300-2240 or contact us online to request a consultation.

Your Defense Team: Former Prosecutors Who Know the Other Side

• Christina L. Williams – As a former prosecutor with over 15 years of experience, Christina brings a deep understanding of how violent crime charges are investigated, filed, and pursued in court. She’s built her career standing between everyday people and the government and she knows how to prepare a defense that anticipates the state’s strategy and positions clients for the best possible outcomes.
• Josh Taylor – Josh is a former Special Assistant U.S. Attorney and proven trial lawyer who’s argued cases before the Wyoming Supreme Court. His experience as a prosecutor gives him rare insight into how serious charges like aggravated assault and homicide are prosecuted. Today, he’s known for his preparation, sharp strategy, and genuine commitment to helping clients through their most difficult legal battles.

Understanding Self-Defense Under Wyoming Law

Wyoming law recognizes that individuals have the right to use force – even deadly force –  when reasonably necessary to protect themselves or others from imminent harm. Self-defense can be raised as a complete defense to charges such as:

• Assault or battery
• Aggravated assault
• Manslaughter
• Homicide

To successfully assert self-defense, you must typically show:

• You reasonably believed force was necessary to prevent imminent harm
• The force used was proportionate to the threat
• You were not the initial aggressor (unless you withdrew)

In Wyoming, self-defense is an affirmative defense, meaning it’s raised by the defendant, but the prosecution still bears the burden to disprove it beyond a reasonable doubt.

Castle Doctrine and Stand Your Ground Laws in Wyoming

Wyoming is a Stand Your Ground and Castle Doctrine state. That means:

• You are not required to retreat before using force if you are in a place where you have a legal right to be.
• You may use deadly force to protect yourself or others against death, serious injury, or certain violent crimes.
• If you are in your own home (or sometimes vehicle), Wyoming law offers enhanced legal protection under the Castle Doctrine.

These laws do not give blanket immunity. They are misunderstood often, even by law enforcement. Whether the law applies to your situation depends on the facts: what the threat was, what you did, and where it happened. That’s why you need experienced legal counsel to clearly assert these defenses and challenge the state’s version of events.

South Dakota also recognizes self-defense and includes similar protections, though with some procedural differences in how those defenses must be raised at trial. We can evaluate the laws of both states depending on where your case is filed.

Common Charges Involving Self-Defense Claims

Even when force is legally justified, law enforcement may still arrest and charge you, especially if:

• The other party was seriously injured or killed
• Witnesses gave conflicting accounts
• You were armed
• There was alcohol or a domestic dispute involved
• You used force to defend someone else or your property

We commonly see self-defense raised in charges such as:

• Aggravated assault (e.g., brandishing or firearm use)
• Domestic violence incidents
• Homicide or attempted homicide
• Assault in bar fights or public disturbances

How We Defend Clients Accused of Violence in Self-Defense Cases

We take an aggressive, fact-driven approach to self-defense cases. That includes:

• Reconstructing the incident using photos, 911 calls, and video footage
• Interviewing witnesses and exposing inconsistencies in their stories
• Demonstrating that you acted reasonably based on the circumstances
• Asserting Stand Your Ground or Castle Doctrine protections
• Working with experts (e.g., use-of-force trainers or forensic analysts) if needed
• Filing motions to exclude improper evidence or dismiss unsupported charges

We do everything in our power to show the court and the prosecution the full picture of what happened.

What’s at Stake if You Don’t Raise a Strong Defense

Charges like aggravated assault or homicide can result in:

• 5 to 25+ years in prison, depending on the offense
• Permanent loss of your firearm rights
• A felony conviction that can follow you for life
• No-contact orders or limitations on seeing family
• Immigration consequences in some cases

Even if you never meant to hurt anyone, the legal consequences can be devastating. That’s why it’s critical to work with a defense lawyer who understands the nuances of self-defense law and can challenge the government’s version of events effectively.

Call For a Consultation: (307) 300-2240

If you used force to protect yourself or others and are now facing charges, don’t wait for things to get worse. The sooner you get a defense lawyer involved, the better your chances of protecting your freedom and clearing your name.

Call (307) 300-2240 or contact us online for a free and confidential consultation.
We serve clients throughout Wyoming and South Dakota and can evaluate whether Stand Your Ground or Castle Doctrine applies to your case.