Frequently Asked Questions About the Consequences of a Criminal Conviction

The judge will evaluate several factors to decide your sentence, including:

• Criminal history
• Family support
• Employment history
• Social history
• Circumstances of the case
• Risk of danger to others
• Risk of future alcohol or substance abuse

In misdemeanor cases, the decision is made without independent investigation, and is at the judge's discretion up to a maximum by the law. In felony cases, a pre-sentence investigation report will result in sentencing guidelines, which are a range of possible jail or prison times. The court may also consider alternative programs like inpatient substance abuse treatment or probation. Your criminal defense attorney will argue on your behalf to help reduce your sentence.

If you are convicted of a felony, you may lose certain rights:

• To possess or own firearms
• To vote
• To hold public office.

You may also lose your freedom during the jail or prison sentence, and may have additional restrictions placed on you as terms of your probation. Felons are also required to submit to DNA testing.

The terms of your probation, including how long it lasts, will be laid out in the order of probation, which describes what you are required to do. The most basic terms of probation require a criminal defendant to:

• Meet regularly with your probation officer by phone or in person
• Appear at all court hearings
• Pay fines and restitution (money to victims)
• Not travel out of state without permission of your probation officer
• Follow all local, state, and federal laws
• Avoid illegal drug use.

Depending on the charge and the circumstances in your case you may also be required to:

• Avoid contact with the victim
• Avoid places connected with the crime
• Take drug and alcohol testing
• Attend substance abuse programs
• Attend mental health programs.

A criminal conviction for a sex offense often means you need to register as a sex offender. Sex offenders must provide law enforcement with the following:

• Name, including aliases
• Address
• Date and place of birth
• Social security number
• Place of employment
• Date and place of conviction;
• Crime convicted
• Schools where employed or attending classes
• License plate number and description of each vehicle owned or operated
• DNA sample

It is up to the sex offender to keep this information up to date. In Wyoming, registration lasts for 10 years unless the conviction is aggravated or a second offense.

Information regarding a sex offender's residence, place of employment, and other details are made part of a public online registry. The state may also send out notification to neighbors if the court believes there is a risk of repeated offense.