Wyoming Protection Orders
A Protection Order is a legal document granted by the Circuit Court Judge to help protect you by ordering a person to cease all contact with you.
Protection orders are enforceable by law, which means violations of any kind may result in an arrest.
Wyoming offers 3 types of Protection Orders: Stalking Protection Order, Family Violence Protection Order, and Sexual Assault Protection Order.
Common Questions/Concerns
I don’t want to get anyone in trouble.
Protection orders are done within the Civil Justice System which means it is not a part of their criminal record. So obtaining a protection order does not cause trouble for the other party. The other party will only get into trouble with the law if they refuse to follow the protection order.
How will a piece of paper stop a person from hurting me?
Protection orders are enforceable by law. On countless occasions these orders have given law enforcement the ability to arrest and protect in situations that, without a protection order, they wouldn’t have been able to. You are right, a piece of paper cannot stop a person actions, but it does give law enforcement the ability to act quickly and, because actions can result in immediate arrest, it serves as a deterrent.
What if I cannot afford a lawyer/afford to file the papers?
There is no fee for filing a protection order in Converse County. You also do not have to have a lawyer to file the papers and attend court. In fact, most people do not retain an attorney in order to obtain a protection order. We are not lawyers, and cannot speak in court for you but we can support you through the system by providing the papers you need, helping you through the process of filing the papers, and going to court with you.
Please call us to learn more about protection orders and how we can you through the process.
Criminal Justice System
WYOMING VICTIM’S BILL OF RIGHTS
As a victim or witness of a crime in Wyoming, you have the right:
To be treated with compassion, respect and sensitivity;
To be provided with information and notification about the status of your case;
To receive restitution from offenders;
To know all rights under this law including information about services and assistance available to you as a crime victim; To have a translator to inform you of these rights, if needed.
To reasonable protection and safety, and the right to know of legal recourse if threatened;
To be present at trial;
To make a victim impact statement at sentencing and parole hearings;
To the prompt return of property seized as evidence;
To preservation of employment while participating on the criminal justice process.
Many people do not realize that you have rights as a victim or witness to a crime. If you feel your rights are not being uphelp, please call us.
RESTITUTION
Restitution can be ordered for damages and costs incurred as a direct result of a crime and that crime is being prosecuted. Punitive damages, pain and suffering, mental anguish, and loss of consortium can not be awarded. Examples of awarded costs are medical bills, counseling and replacement and/or repair of property.
CRIME VICTIM COMPENSATION
The mission of this program is to assist innocent victims of violent crime with out-of-pocket expenses incurred by the crime. The program was established for victims who have been physically or emotionally injured in a violent crime.
Examples of compensated losses are mental health counseling and care, medical, dental or hospital care, funeral or burial expenses, loss of earnings, loss of support from dependents, homemaker replacement services, eyeglasses, hearing aids, prosthetic or medically necessary devices.
The crime must have occurred in Wyoming, must be reported as soon as possible, cooperate in the investigation and the within 1 year of injury or death.
For more information about Victim Compensation in Wyoming, please call our office at 307-672-3222 or visit their site.