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What Does ‘Plead the Fifth’ Mean and When Should You Use It?
Cop dramas and crime shows have made most people aware of the term “I plead the fifth,” but few actually know what the phrase refers to. It comes from the Fifth Amendment of the Constitution, which outlines several laws regarding due process and how an individual should be charged with a crime. When someone declares they are pleading the fifth, they are specifically referring to how the Constitution states that no individual “shall be compelled in any criminal case to be a witness against himself.”
Differences Between Restraining and Protection Orders in Wyoming
Depending on the situation, a court may implement a restraining or protection order to prevent a particular person from doing something to someone else. Despite some similarities, these two types of orders have different purposes in Wyoming and are issued under different circumstances.
Expunging a Criminal Record In Wyoming
Following a court case, the court will file a criminal record of all related charges, even if they are dismissed, with Wyoming’s central criminal records and these records are available to the public. The availability of these files can be roadblocks for individuals looking for employment, applying for schools, and renting an apartment or home. Within the state of Wyoming, citizens have the option of expunging a criminal record, which will remove or seal the record from public eyes. Expungement holds a number of benefits in Wyoming, including improving your job, schooling, and housing opportunities. Once a record is expunged, the records can only be accessed by law enforcement and you are not required to disclose it to landlords, housing officials, employers, or any other individual.
What Rights Do You Have as a Citizen of Wyoming?
The United States Constitution guarantees certain rights for all citizens (and even non-citizens) of the USA, and further state laws in Wyoming provide additional rights regarding interactions with the law. It is essential that you understand your rights in Wyoming, particularly if you are facing criminal charges, have been stopped by the police, or are under investigation in a criminal matter. For specific questions, contact a knowledgeable criminal defense attorney, we offer answers to some general questions.
What’s the Difference Between Possession and Intent to Sell?
Possession of a small amount of a controlled substance in Wyoming is charged as a misdemeanor. Upon conviction, this crime carries penalties that may include up to one year in jail and a fine of up to $1,000, or both. Possession with intent to sell is a serious crime that is charged as a felony, with penalties that are much more severe.
How Can Social Media Affect Your Criminal Case Battle?
If you are facing criminal charges, or under investigation, it is possible for your social media presence to work against you. Your posts, including comments, images, or video, can be used as evidence in court. Police investigators will harvest information from all your social media accounts, including Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, etc., to find evidence to support the prosecution’s case against you.
Time Off for Good Behavior in Custody?
If you have been convicted of a crime, and have spent weeks or months awaiting sentencing, you are not alone. The average time a person spends waiting for sentencing in Wyoming is 57 days, and is often far longer, usually months. It has been proposed that the law be rewritten so that a prisoner can apply the days spent waiting for sentencing or a transfer to prison be taken off his or her sentence as “time served.”
Summer Drinking and Driving Don’t Mix
Summer is finally here, and now we can enjoy all the benefits the sunny and warm season has to offer. The kids are out of school, and people are taking trips to the lake, having pool parties, barbecues, picnics, and more! Though these activities are a great way to take a load off and spend much-needed quality time with friends and family, many summer activities also involve alcohol consumption.
Crazy Wyoming Laws You (Probably) Don’t Know
There are federal laws, and then there are the state laws. These laws are created by state legislatures and can vary from state to state, but most laws are logical. While a statute on robbery in California may differ slightly from the statute in Wyoming, both still make sense.
Sometimes, though, there are laws on the books that do not make any sense at all. These generally remain from a time when they, too, were considered practical laws. In most cases, people simply forgot about them or never bothered to remove them.
Federal Laws That Protect Wyoming Wildlife Protect People, Too
Living in Wyoming, we’re used to encounters with wildlife, whether in State Parks or in our own backyards. We understand that it can be dangerous to interact with even the cutest animals. This is not always the case with out-of-towners, though, and it’s not unusual to read news stories about park visitors who fail to follow regulations and end up getting themselves hurt or arrested. Or both.
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