Fremont County Criminal Court hears all criminal cases in Fremont County. Below you will find specific information about criminal cases and how they are handled in Fremont County.
Appealing a guilty verdict
A defendant may appeal a guilty verdict to an appellate court. This is not a request to have another trial, but a request for an appellate court to review the case and determine that it was handled in a correct legal manner. There are a number of outcomes in an appeal including an upholding of the conviction, a finding that errors were made resulting in a retrial or resentencing or possibly a complete disimissal of all charges.
What is a Plea Agreement?
A plea agreement is a deal made between the prosecution and the defendant in a case, where the defendant agrees to plea guilty to a particular charge in exchange for some concession from the prosecutor. In practice, more than 90% of criminal cases end with a plea agreement.
Fremont County Criminal Court
Fremont County Arraignments
An arraignment is a court hearing. In Fremont County this is the first thing that will happen in a criminal case. The defendant will be brought before a judge in Fremont County Criminal Court and the judge will read the charges that were filed against the defendant. The judge will also read the rights the defendant has and ask the defendant if they understand both the charges filed against them and their rights as a defendant in the case. In Fremont County a plea of Guilty, Not Guilty or No Contest may be entered. In a guilty or no contest plea the sentencing of the defendant may take place at the same arraignment hearing or a later date may be scheduled for sentencing. For a not guilty plea, a date will be set for a trial.
Sentencing in Fremont County
In Fremont County if the defendant is found guilty (by trial or plea), the defendant will be sentenced. This sometimes occurrs immediately after being found guilty, but can also take place at a later date. In most instances, a judge will impose the sentence that is requested by the prosecution, but they also have the descretion to impose a different sentence.
Where can I get help for my Fremont County criminal case?
The 6th amendment of the United States Constitution provides a criminal defendant with the right to an attorney. As read in the miranda rights, this means that if a defendant cannot afford to hire a private attorney a legal attorney will be appointed to the defendant to represent him at no cost to the defendant. This is often a public defender. In addition, the court clerk for Fremont County will also be able to provide general information about a specific criminal case. The clerk can only provide information and is not an attorney so they cannot provide legal advice, only a licensed attorney can provide legal advice about what the best options for are for your particular case.
What if I can’t afford an attorney?
The 6th Amendment guarantees you the right to an attorney whether or not you can afford one. If you cannot afford one, a public defender will be appointed by the court to represent you.
Fremont County Criminal Court locations
Criminal proceedings take place in the Fremont County Criminal Courts. A list of the criminal courts are located here.
Fremont County Required Court Appearances
In Fremont County, there are both required and non-required court appearances for the defendant. At a required or mandatory appearance hearing, the defendant is required to appear in person before the court. Failing to appear at your required hearing may result in a bench warrant being issued for your arrest by the judge.
Burden of Proof Requirement
In a criminal case in the United States, the burden of proof always requires the prosecutor to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that the defendant is guilty. This is a high threshold that must be met by the prosecution when presenting evidence in a case. If the prosecution fails in it’s burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt the judge must find the defendant not guilty. In a jury trial, the judge will inform the jury what this burden is and their obligation to find the defendant not guilty if they feel the prosecution did prove the defendant’s guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
The Right to Trial by Jury
The Sixth Amendment of the United States Constitution guarantees the right to a trial by a jury. This is applicable for when the crime can carry a sentence of 6 months in jail OR a $500 fine, these are known as “Serious Crimes”. The defendant can also waive their right to a speedy and public trial.
Who is the prosecutor for Fremont County?
Depending upon the case, the prosecutor for Fremont County criminal cases will either be a representative of Fremont County or a representative from Wyoming. After reviewing evidence it is the prosecutor’s decision whether to file charges or drop a case. Most prosecutors have the ability to negotiate plea bargains, and determine how the case will be prosecuted.
Jury Deliberation
In a jury trial in Fremont County, after both the prosecution and defense have rested, the judge will give instructions to the jury and jury deliberations will begin. The jury will convence in a private room to discuss and deliberate the innocence or guilt of the defendant. Once the jury arrives at a unimanous decision, they will inform the judge that they have reached a decision. They will return to the court and the verdict will be read aloud. If the jury cannot reach a unaminous decision, the jury is said to be deadlocked and a mistrial will be declared in the case.
Fremont County Criminal Court Locations
-
Fremont County District Court
Address: 450 North 2nd Street, Room 235, PO Box 370, Lander, WY 82520
Phone: 307-332-1134 -
Fremont County Circuit Court – Lander
Address: 450 North 2nd Street, Room 230, Lander, WY 82520
Phone: 307-332-3239 Fax: 307-332-1152 -
Fremont County Circuit Court – Dubois
Address: 712 Meckem, PO Box 952, Dubous, WY 82513
Phone: 307-455-2920 Fax: 307-455-2132 -
Fremont County Circuit Court – Riverton
Address: 818 South Federal Blvd, Riverton, WY 82501
Phone: 307-856-7259 Fax: 307-857-3635 -
Dubois Municipal Court
Address: 712 Meckem Street, Dubois, WY 82513
Phone: 307-455-2920 -
Hudson Municipal Court
Address: 333 South Main, PO Box 56, Hudson, WY 82515
Phone: 307-332-3605 -
Lander Municipal Court
Address: 250 Lincoln Street, Lander, WY 82520
Phone: 307-332-8179 -
Pavillion Municipal Court
Address: 203 1/2 North Main, Pavillion, WY 82523
Phone: 307-856-2154 -
Riverton Municipal Court
Address: 816 North Federal Blvd, Riverton, WY 82501
Phone: 307-856-0165 -
Shoshoni Municipal Court
Address: 102 East 2nd, Shoshoni, WY 82649
Phone: 307-876-2442