Sweetwater County Violent Crimes Defense Lawyers

Assault & Battery Laws

Assault is the attempt to cause bodily injury to another person while using physical force. Battery is intentionally, knowingly, or recklessly causing bodily injury to another by using physical force.

Assault and battery fall under one of two categories, based on the severity of the offense:

• Simple: Simple assault and simple battery are misdemeanors that involve minor bodily injury, such as a cut or bruise, or an attempt to cause minor bodily injury 
• Aggravated: Aggravated assault and aggravated battery involve more serious physical injuries, such as disfigurement, broken bones, and injuries requiring hospitalization or surgery (including harming a pregnant woman)

Simple assault and simple battery are misdemeanors punishable by up to six months in jail and/or $750 in fines. Aggravated assault and battery are felonies punishable by up to 10 years in prison.

Domestic Violence Allegations

Domestic violence offenses are assaults and batteries committed against a household member, such as a:

• Current or former romantic partner or spouse
• Current or former cohabitant
• Parent or adult child of the offender
• Co-parent 

Simple assault against a household member is a misdemeanor punishable by up to $75 in fines, and simple battery against a household member is punishable by up to six months in prison and/or a fine of up to $750. 

If the offender has a prior conviction for assault or battery against a household member within the last five years, they may instead face up to six months in prison, a $750 fine, and up to one year of probation for simple assault or up to one year in prison, up to $1,000 in fines, and up to two years of probation for simple battery. In aggravated cases, such as if the offender has multiple prior convictions, the offense may be charged as a felony punishable by up to five years in prison and $2,000 in fines. 

Convicted individuals will also be expected to pay restitution to the alleged victim to cover the costs of medical treatment, counseling, and property damage resulting from the domestic violence offense.

Murder & Manslaughter

One of the most serious types of violent crimes is homicide. 

Wyoming categorizes several types of homicide, including:

• Felony murder: Causing the death of another person, whether intentionally or accidentally, in the commission of a felony (e.g., burglary, sexual assault, robbery, kidnapping)
• First degree murder: The premeditated killing of another person
• Second degree murder: Purposely and maliciously causing the death of another without premeditation
• Manslaughter: Recklessly or negligently killing another person

The main distinction between second-degree murder and manslaughter is that manslaughter does not require “malice afterthought,” or malicious intent. Additionally, manslaughter can be either voluntary or involuntary.

Felony murder and first-degree murder are punishable by life in prison or the death penalty. Second-degree murder is punishable by a mandatory minimum of 20 years in prison, which usually extends to life in prison. Manslaughter is penalized based on whether the offense was voluntary or involuntary, but the maximum sentence for any manslaughter offense is 20 years in prison.

If you have been accused of a violent crime, do not hesitate to contact our trial lawyers at The Law Offices of Hampton & Newman, L.C. to discuss your options. Our attorneys take an aggressive approach to defense, and we will craft a compelling legal strategy that accurately addresses the unique points of your allegations. Violent crime accusations can be some of the toughest to combat, but our experienced attorneys can put up a formidable fight in your defense.

Schedule an initial consultation with The Law Offices of Hampton & Newman, L.C. to get started.