Criminal Defense | Blogs by Steven Titus & Associates, P.C.
Tips for Your First Court Appearance
As a law firm specializing in criminal defense, Steven Titus & Associates, P.C. knows that appearing in court can be intimidating, especially if it’s your first time. It’s natural to feel nervous or overwhelmed, but being prepared can help ease those feelings. Here are some tips to help make your first court appearance go as smoothly as possible.
Determining Whether Your Arrest Was Wrongful
If you’ve been arrested, you may be wondering whether it was justified or not. Arrests can happen for a variety of reasons, but it’s important to understand the legal basis for arrest and how to determine whether your arrest was wrongful. Here we will explore the legal basis for arrest, common signs that your arrest may have been wrongful, and what you can do to defend yourself if you believe that you were wrongfully arrested.
Common Domestic Violence Defenses
Nobody wants to be accused of domestic violence. And these charges frequently result from custody disputes, false accusations, overzealous prosecutors, or an argument that gets too loud.
Police officers are under a lot of pressure to make an arrest when they respond to a possible domestic violence 911 call. If there’s any sign of struggle or if someone has visible injuries, they’re probably going to take someone to jail.
How the Wyoming Sex Offender Registry Curbs Your Freedoms
In Wyoming, defendants convicted of certain sexual offenses must register as sex offenders. The sex offender registry is a public database containing the names of all sex offenders required to register who are living in the state. Under the law, any sex offender residing, working, or attending school in Wyoming must register with the sheriff of the county where he or she is living. Requirement to register as a sex offender can significantly curb the personal freedoms most Americans enjoy.
Do I Need a Lawyer Even If I’m Planning on Pleading Guilty?
If you’ve been accused of a crime and you know you’re guilty, do you really need a lawyer? The answer is a resounding “Yes!” Even when you plead guilty, your sentence will probably be a lot worse if you don’t have an attorney.
Every day in Wyoming, people who are convicted of the same crime receive vastly different sentences. For example, a person charged with possession of a small amount of drugs may go to jail for up to a year. But someone else facing the exact same charges could receive a plea deal that allows them to avoid jail and have all charges removed from their criminal record.
Why Police Are Cracking Down Hard on Fentanyl
Fentanyl is a powerful opioid pain medication that is similar to morphine. It is typically used to treat patients who experience severe pain, such as after surgery. Fentanyl is a prescription drug with a high potential for abuse and addiction. When appropriately used, fentanyl can be a safe and effective pain medication. However, because it is so potent, it is also easy to abuse and overdose. Fentanyl is often sold illegally on the street as a white powder or as fake pills. It is also sometimes mixed with heroin to increase its potency. Fentanyl is extremely dangerous, and even a tiny amount can be deadly.
How Child Sex Crime Allegations Affect Lives
It’s natural to want to protect people from harm, especially children. And society is very scornful of people accused of any type of sexual abuse because it’s a horrible violation of another person.
Children are so vulnerable, and a sexual assault is also an attack on their innocence. People who are accused of sex crimes against children are often tried and convicted in the court of public opinion, even if they turn out to be innocent.
What to Do When You’re Accused of Domestic Violence
False accusations of domestic violence happen every day. People falsely accuse domestic partners for several reasons, such as anger and revenge, or to get the upper hand in divorce proceedings or a child custody battle. If you are facing accusations of domestic violence, it is important to act quickly to get a skilled criminal defense attorney in your corner. Effective legal representation early in the case can make a significant difference in the outcome.
Self-Defense and Reasonable Force in Wyoming
In Wyoming, self-defense is legally defined as “reasonable defensive force that is necessary to prevent injury or loss.” According to this standard, there are times when a defendant can use self-defense to avoid prosecution in cases of assault or battery, but this defense is strictly limited, and defendants should not think of self-defense as a “get-out-of-jail-free” card.
Cheyenne Police Launch “Lock It or Lose It” Campaign
Property crime is a major issue in Cheyenne and other cities in Wyoming. In 2021, as of December 8, police officers had responded to 394 stolen vehicle reports, representing a 104% increase over the previous year, as stated in a Cheyenne Police Department news release. The department recently launched a “Lock It or Lose It” campaign to encourage citizens to lock up their valuables, vehicles, and homes.
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