Best Gun Crime Lawyers in Wyoming
JEREMY HUGUS
Criminal Lawyer/Gun Crime Lawyer
Jeremy is a Wyoming native. He became a lawyer to make life better for real people. You deserve a criminal defense lawyer who believes you’re more than a serious charge. That’s what you get with Jeremy. He’s focused, dedicated, and passionate about his clients and the law.
Jeremy works pro bono with Equal Justice Wyoming and dedicates some of his free time to a few different Wyoming non-profits.
Jeremy has received numerous awards and recognitions, including a 10.0 rating from AVVO, Top 10, and Top 40 criminal attorney ratings.
Above all else, Jeremy wants to deliver peace of mind. He’s not afraid to take your fight to court, and he has a track record of success.
AWARDS
- 10 Best Attorneys in Client Satisfaction – American Institute of Personal Injury Lawyers
- Top 10 Lawyers Under 40 – National Academy of Criminal Defense Attorneys
- Top 10 Lawyers Under 40 – National Academy of Personal Injury Attorneys
- Top 40 Lawyers Under 40 – National Trial Lawyers
- Top 40 Lawyers Under 40 – American Society of Legal Advocates
- Premier 100 Trial Attorney – National Academy of Jurisprudence
EDUCATION
- University of Pittsburgh School of Law, Juris Doctorate
- Loyola University Chicago, MA – Bioethics & Health Policy
- Northwest Nazarene University, BS – Biology & Chemistry
COMMUNITY SUPPORT
- Interfaith of Natrona County, Board of Directors, VP
- The Table Casper, Board of Directors
ADMISSIONS
- Wyoming Supreme Court
- United States District Court for Wyoming
- Colorado Supreme Court
PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS
- Wyoming Bar Association
- Wyoming Trial Lawyer’s Association
- Natrona County Bar Association
- Colorado Bar Association
- American Bar Association
CHRISTINA L. WILLIAMS
Criminal Lawyer/Gun Crime Lawyer
Our founder, criminal defense attorney Christina L. Williams, has been dedicated to criminal law for over 15 years. She represents clients in Wyoming and South Dakota.
An Attorney You Can Trust
When your freedom is on the line, you don’t want just anyone standing next to you in court. You want someone you can trust to handle your case with professionalism and compassion. Our clients appreciate working with founding attorney Christina L. Williams because she treats them like people, not case files. Ms. Williams spends the time to help you understand the process and the probable outcomes of your case. When it is time to go to court, she, and her team of professionals, are there for you, ready to stand up and get you a fair result.
Experience From Both Sides of the Case
Serious criminal charges require someone who can see the whole picture. Ms. Williams’ unique set of professional experience gives her just the perspective you need. She has been a private criminal defense attorney for over 15 years. She was also a former prosecutor in Campbell County, Wyoming and South Dakota. Before that, she was a law clerk for the Fourth Judicial Circuit Court in Deadwood, South Dakota. Because she’s been in all these positions, Ms. Williams can look at your case with the eyes of a prosecutor. She will anticipate how a judge may respond to your defenses. She will analyze your case from top to bottom and give you a realistic expectation of the risks, so you know what to expect.
15 Year Veteran Trial Attorney
Ms. Williams has been in the courtroom her entire career. She is a talented and experienced trial lawyer who knows what it takes to win cases in front of a jury. As our founder, Christina L. Williams makes sure our team is ready when a case goes to trial. She will work with you and your witnesses to help you prepare your testimony, dig deep for evidence, and present sound legal arguments in ways the jury will understand.
Attorney Christina L. Williams – At a Glance
Bar Admissions:
- Wyoming
- South Dakota
- U.S. District Court of Wyoming
Education:
- University of South Dakota School of Law, Vermillion, SD
- Juris Doctor, May 2001
- Black Hills State University, Spearfish, SD
- Bachelor’s of Science, December 1996
Professional Experience:
- Just Criminal Law, Owner, (2012-Present)
- Preuit and Williams P.C, Partner (2007-2012)
- Campbell County, Wyoming, Deputy County Attorney (2005-2007)
- Rapid City, South Dakota, Deputy States Attorney (2004)
- The Blount Law Firm, Attorney (2003)
- Fourth Judicial Circuit, Deadwood SD, Law Clerk (2001-2002)
- University of South Dakota, Graduate Assistant to Professor David S. Day (2000)
- Barker Wilson Reynolds & Burke, Legal Intern (2000)
- Brady Pluimer, LLC, Legal Intern (1999)
Professional Associations & Memberships
- Wyoming State Bar Association (2006-Present)
- South Dakota State Bar Association (2002-Present)
- National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, Member
- National College of DUI Defense, Member
R. Michael Vang
Criminal Lawyer/Gun Crime Lawyer
Mr. Vang graduated from Kelly Walsh High School in Casper Wyoming, where he won the Wyoming High School Cross Examination Debate Championship at the University of Wyoming in 1982. Mr. Vang received a debate scholarship to attend the University of Wyoming, where he obtained his undergraduate and law degrees. Mr. Vang was one of only two college students in the entire country named to the United States Collegiate Debate team that traveled to Great Britain to compete in the spring of 1991. For the last twenty (20) – years, Mr. Vang has taught other attorney’s all over the United States how to defend criminal cases.
Although Mr. Vang’s parents were killed by a drunk driver right after Mr. Vang graduated from high school, one of Mr. Vang’s first cases was a DUI charge. Mr. Vang explained his history and how he was not comfortable representing the person accused of a DUI charge until Mr. Vang reviewed the discovery in the case. After reviewing the discovery created to try to prove guilt for the DUI charge, Mr. Vang told the client about all the different defenses that existed and that Mr. Vang was willing to assert on the client’s behalf. The client hired Mr. Vang and Mr. Vang obtained his first acquittal and has been representing people accused of criminal charges for over twenty-eight (28) – years ever since then.
On June 13, 2015, Mr. Vang became the only attorney in Wyoming to receive “The American Chemical Society (ACS) Forensic Lawyer-Scientist Designation as recognized by the Chemistry and the Law Division of the ACS.” Mr. Vang has successfully argued that the chemical testing measurements in many of his DUI and drug cases are not accurate or reliable and cannot prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
On July 14, 2022, Mr. Vang was awarded the National College of DUI Defense’s “Trial Advocacy Award,” which is given to the NCDD member who has most personified the mission of the National College through an aggressive, creative, and ethical trial practice that is dedicated to defending those accused of impaired driving. This individual has set themselves apart in their local community as a premier DUI defense trial attorney and has litigated a number of DUI-related cases to verdict. This individual is recognized, in his/her local legal community, as a tenacious yet ethical litigator.
Mr. Christopher G. Humphrey
Criminal Lawyer/Gun Crime Lawyer
Mr. Humphrey is licensed to practice law in Wyoming, Colorado, Wyoming Federal District Court, 10th Circuit Court of Appeals, and the Executive Office of Immigration Review. He was born and raised in Cheyenne, Wyoming. As a graduate of the University of Wyoming’s College of Law, he participated in the Defender Aid Clinic, worked as an extern for the Federal Defender’s Office, and volunteered to assist the Office of the State Public Defender.
He has represented defendants charged with everything from Driving Under the Influence (DUI) to DUI Homicide. Mr. Humphrey has appeared in: municipal, circuit, district, and federal courts, in addition to the Wyoming Supreme Court, and the 10th Circuit Court of Appeals.
Areas of Practice: Criminal Defense and Family-Based Immigration
Associations:
Colorado State Bar
Wyoming State Bar
Wyoming Federal District Court
American Immigration Lawyers Association
National Criminal Defense Lawyers Association
Wyoming Trial Lawyers Association
Jonathan Gerard
Criminal Lawyer/Gun Crime Lawyer
Jon is a native of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, but has lived and practiced law in Wyoming since 2014. Jon graduated from Penn State University, and after working for several years in the financial services industry, he graduated magna cum laude from the Vermont Law School. After moving from Vermont to Wyoming, Jon clerked for the Hon. Daniel Forgey in Casper, then moved to Lander, Wyoming. Since moving to Lander, Jon has practiced criminal defense and has represented more than 800 individual criminal clients across Wyoming, defending against thousands of charges ranging from misdemeanors to first degree murder.
Recent court victories include:
Suppression of a confession in a first degree sexual abuse case;
Dismissal of felony Aggravated Assault during the preliminary hearing;
Dismissal of a Domestic Battery case pursuant to the Wyoming self-defense “immunity from prosecution” statute;
Full dismissal of felony drug distribution charges during the jury trial before the case was submitted for deliberation;
Dismissal of multiple misdemeanor drug, DUI, and other cases after suppression of evidence.
KERMIT C. BROWN
Criminal Lawyer/Gun Crime Lawyer
Kermit C. Brown was raised in Casper, Wyoming. Kermit graduated from the University of Wyoming in 1965 with a degree in animal husbandry, and in 1966 with a degree in business administration. He spent four years in the Navy, attaining the rank of lieutenant before returning to the University of Wyoming. He graduated from the University of Wyoming College of Law in 1973. Kermit practiced law in Wheatland for two years and in Rawlins for seventeen years before moving his law practice to Laramie. Kermit was also the President of the Wyoming State Bar for the years 1994-95.
Kermit is the senior partner in Brown & Hiser LLC, where his practice is concentrated in business and agricultural law and estate planning. He has argued seventeen cases in the Wyoming Supreme Court, including Oroz v. Hayes cited in the Wyoming Governmental Claims Act, which struck down judicially created governmental immunity for political subdivisions in the State of Wyoming. Kermit also argued Riedel v. Anderson in the Wyoming Supreme Court, construing the nature and extent of federal and State jurisdiction over approximately 3.6 million acres of Wyoming state trust lands.
In addition to acting as an attorney, Kermit is a commercial pilot and was a flight instructor for many years. He is also currently serving his sixth term in the Wyoming House of Representatives from House District 14, where he is currently the Speaker of the House of Representatives.
Wyoming’s Unloaded Truth: A Deep Dive into Gun Violence, Legal Complexities, and Why You Need a Top-Tier Lawyer
Wyoming, the “Equality State,” boasts breathtaking landscapes, a strong sense of independence, and a deeply ingrained gun culture. However, beneath this rugged beauty lies a concerning reality. Wyoming consistently ranks among the highest states for gun deaths per capita, particularly suicides. This comprehensive guide delves into the complexities of gun violence in Wyoming, explores the legal implications of gun ownership and use, and emphasizes why retaining a skilled lawyer is crucial if you face gun-related charges.
A Different Kind of Gun Violence:
- Grim Statistics: Data from the Wyoming Department of Health (WDH). While Wyoming ranks lower in gun homicides compared to other states, it consistently ranks near the top in gun deaths, with a staggering percentage involving suicides.
- Focus on Suicide: Unlike many states where gun violence primarily involves homicides, Wyoming’s gun violence issue is heavily skewed towards suicides. Understanding the risk factors and available resources for suicide prevention is crucial.
- Contributing Factors: Several factors contribute to Wyoming’s high suicide rate by firearm, including:
- Limited Access to Mental Health Services: Wyoming has a significant shortage of mental health professionals, making it harder for individuals to receive timely and effective treatment.
- Social Isolation and Stigma: The rural nature of Wyoming can lead to social isolation, and a stigma surrounding mental health can prevent people from seeking help.
- Economic Hardship: Economic struggles and a lack of opportunity can contribute to feelings of hopelessness, a known risk factor for suicide.
- Culture of Firearms: Wyoming’s strong gun culture means firearms are readily available in many homes, increasing the risk of suicide by firearm.
Navigating Wyoming’s Gun Laws:
- Federal vs. State Laws: It’s crucial to understand the distinction between federal and state gun laws. Federal law sets baseline regulations for firearms, while Wyoming has its own unique set of laws governing gun ownership and use. A lawyer can ensure you’re in compliance with both federal and state regulations.
- Background Checks: Federal law mandates background checks for all firearm purchases from licensed dealers. However, private sales between individuals are not subject to federal background checks in most cases. Wyoming law may have additional requirements, and a lawyer can advise you on the legalities of private gun sales.
- Open Carry vs. Concealed Carry: Wyoming is an open carry state, meaning individuals over 21 can openly carry a handgun without a permit. However, concealed carry requires a permit with a simple application process.
- Safe Storage Laws: While Wyoming doesn’t have specific safe storage laws, there are laws regarding reckless endangerment and keeping firearms out of the reach of minors. A lawyer can advise on responsible gun storage practices.
Why a Lawyer is Essential in Gun-Related Cases:
Even with Wyoming’s relaxed gun laws, gun-related charges can have serious consequences. Here’s why retaining a skilled lawyer is crucial:
- Understanding Complexities of Gun Laws: Despite seeming straightforward, Wyoming gun laws still have nuances and exceptions. A lawyer with expertise in Wyoming gun law can navigate this complexity and ensure your rights are protected throughout the legal process.
- Accidental Shootings: Accidental shootings, even with proper gun handling, can lead to criminal charges. A lawyer can help you navigate the legal process and fight for a fair outcome.
- Self-Defense Claims: Wyoming’s self-defense laws are relatively broad. A lawyer can help you understand these laws and build a strong defense if you are involved in a self-defense shooting.
- Firearm Rights Restoration: If you have lost your gun rights due to a criminal conviction, a lawyer can explore options for restoration.
- Protection from Unfounded Charges: In some cases, gun-related charges might be unjustified. A lawyer can fight for your rights and ensure you are not wrongfully accused.
Finding the Right Legal Advocate:
When facing gun-related charges, securing the services of a lawyer experienced in Wyoming gun law is vital. Here are some factors to consider when searching for legal representation:
- Experience: Look for a lawyer with a proven track record of handling gun-related cases in Wyoming.
- Reputation: Research potential lawyers and read client reviews to gauge their effectiveness and client satisfaction.
- Communication Style: Choose a lawyer who is readily available to answer your questions and keeps you informed throughout the legal process.
- Area of Focus: Some lawyers specialize in criminal defense, while others focus specifically on gun law. Consider finding a lawyer with experience in both criminal defense and gun law.