
Our Frequently Asked Questions
What Should I Expect During My Criminal Court Case?
Former Prosecutors Defending Clients in Wyoming and South Dakota
If you have been arrested and are facing criminal charges in Wyoming, you should expect to show up in court on several occasions:
- Arraignment or Initial Appearance: Charges are read and an initial plea is entered (not guilty you plan to hire a lawyer).
- Indictment or Preliminary Hearing: Only in felony cases (and Class 1 misdemeanors in South Dakota), these hearings are held before a grand jury (indictment) or judge (preliminary hearing) to determine if there is "probable cause" that a crime was committed by the defendant. In Wyoming, this must happen within 10 days of your Initial Appearance if you are in jail or 20 days if you have been released on bail. In South Dakota the deadlines are 15 days in custody or 45 days on bail.
- Plea Bargaining: The prosecutor and your criminal defense attorney meet to discuss possible pleas and exchange information. If you decide to take a plea bargain, you will be required to appear before the judge and make a statement.
- Jury or Bench Trial: The prosecutor and your attorney present evidence of your guilt or innocence. You have a right to a jury trial if you are facing jail time, or have been charged with drunk driving in Wyoming. If you waive that right, or if your misdemeanor involves no jail time, your case will be decided by a judge.
- Pre-Sentence Investigation: In felony cases, you will be interviewed by the probation department and a report will be prepared for the judge.
- Sentencing Hearing: If you are charged with a misdemeanor this may happen immediately after your plea bargain or trial. For felony cases, there is a separate hearing. The judge will review the circumstances of your case and impose a penalty, which may start immediately after the hearing.

Our Client Testimonials
See What People Say About Us In Your Community
-
“I got the sentence I expected, and I feel like I was valued as a client further than the courtroom. I recommended them to anyone in need of support in their corner! Thanks guys!”Mitchell
-
“I would l highly recommend Just Criminal Law to anyone who needs the level of expertise they provide and I was given.”Ryan B.
-
“With knowledgeable, honest, and professional paralegals like Lisa, and litigators like Josh, I was confident that my legal issues were being addressed with my best interests being paramount.”Lucas A.
-
“We truly valued his professionalism and the patience he showed in answering all of our questions. He took the time to guide us through every step of the process, which made us feel at ease with the court proceedings.”Rachel G.
-
“I had an excellent experience working with Josh Taylor on my case. From the very beginning, they were professional, knowledgeable, and genuinely cared about my situation.”Nicole V.
-
“Not only did this law firm help me in a terrible situation, every person I talked to there was exceptionally kind, professional, and understanding. Joshua Taylor, was not only very experienced and good at his job...but also made me feel heard and relieved ”Jessica T.
-
“It was money well spent, Josh Taylor did his job the whole process from start to finish deserves a 10 start would not think twice about using their professional services TOP NOTCH.”Mark P.
-
“I was able to speak directly with an attorney, Joe he answered all my questions and told me about his team I felt confident and comfortable. I hired them and they were able to get my case dismissed in about 2 months!”Dayanna A.


Check Out Our Video FAQs
Looking For More Information?
At Just Criminal Law, we help a lot of people facing criminal charges in Wyoming, South Dakota & Beyond. While every case is unique, there are some questions that come up time and again.
