Office of the Wyoming State Public Defender http://wyodefender.state.wy.us Public Defender IT Staff Fri, 24 May 2013 15:35:05 -0600 Welcome to the Office of the State Public Defender. http://wyodefender.state.wy.us/index.php "Being a public defender means much more than just appearing in Court with a person charged with a crime. It is a state of mind; it is a commitment to the ideal that all individuals deserve to be treated with dignity and due process; it is an opportunity to create change, within the system, within our clients and within ourselves. I am excited about promoting those ideals and am committed to ensuring that the Wyoming State Public Defender's Office continues to provide effective assistance of counsel as guaranteed by the United States and Wyoming Constitutions."

~ Diane M. Lozano
State Public Defender

 

]]> Office of the State Public Defender <p>Our Mission</p> http://wyodefender.state.wy.us/our_mission.php The Office of the Public Defender's sole purpose is to provide effective assistance of counsel to indigent adults and juveniles accused of a crime in the circuit, district and juvenile courts, as mandated by the federal and state constitutions.

The Public Defender maintains 15 field offices located throughout the state, providing Wyoming counties with competent, experienced counsel to represent a vast majority of the criminal defendants who seek counsel.

The Public Defender ensures the protection of due process rights for its clients at all stages of a criminal proceeding by informing, advising, advocating and negotiating on behalf of the client.

In all stages of a criminal case, the Public Defender provides zealous representation for its clients, including attempts to resolve cases through fair plea negotiations.

Office&nbsp;of the Public Defender Strategic Plan

]]> Office of the State Public Defender What We Do http://wyodefender.state.wy.us/what_we_do.php The function of the Public Defender is to represent persons accused of misdemeanors, felonies and probation violations in circuit and district courts who cannot afford to hire an attorney. The agency represents juveniles accused of delinquency in juvenile court and individuals on appeal in the Wyoming Supreme Court. Additional functions include representing individuals who are to be extradited to other states and individuals seeking post-conviction relief.

The Office of the Public Defender represents a vast majority (over 80% over the past 4 fiscal years) of all criminal defendants who seek counsel. Because of this, the Public Defender has the experience and the ability to resolve a large majority of those cases through fair plea negotiations which conserves the resources of the criminal justice system and the State of Wyoming. The agency's experience ensures zealous representation for clients who choose to go to trial and at all other stages of the criminal case.

The Public Defender is a reactionary agency; once a person has been cited or charged with a crime, the courts determine whether a person's financial circumstances require the appointment of the Public Defender. Once appointed, the agency must provide representation.

]]> Office of the State Public Defender Public Defender Statistics http://wyodefender.state.wy.us/statistics.php The Office of the Public Defender has 83 authorized positions (including 19 part-time positions). The agency employs 48 attorneys (trial, GAL, and appellate), 18 legal assistants, 5 administrative assistants, 2 CT personnel, 3 fiscal personnel, 5 investigators, and one AWEC. In addition, the agency utilizes 27 part-time independent contractors. The FY09/FY10 budget is $24,167,077. The total appropriation for the Public Defender is 85 percent from state general funds and 15 percent from county augmenting revenues. The total appropriation for the GAL Program is from the state general funds.

In FY09, the State Public Defender was appointed to 13,389 cases including 70 appeals to the Wyoming Supreme Court.

]]> Office of the State Public Defender Contact Us http://wyodefender.state.wy.us/contact_us.php here for a contact form. ]]> Office of the State Public Defender FAQ http://wyodefender.state.wy.us/ here ]]> Office of the State Public Defender Links http://wyodefender.state.wy.us/links.php
Also visit the categories below:

Other Public Defender Sites Legal Organizations and Sites
]]> Office of the State Public Defender State Public Defender Links http://wyodefender.state.wy.us/pdef_links.php Office of the State Public Defender Legal Organizations and Sites http://wyodefender.state.wy.us/loas_links.php Office of the State Public Defender News and Events http://wyodefender.state.wy.us/news_and_events.php See what's new with the Wyoming Public Defender's Office!

State of Wyoming GAL Program.
The Wyoming Legislature, pursuant to Senate Enrolled Act 23 (2008 WY Sessions Laws Ch. 48), Section 316, has transferred the Guardians Ad Litem Program from the Wyoming Supreme Court to the Office of the State Public Defender. This transfer does not become effective until July 1, 2008.

The Guardians Ad Litem (GAL) Program will be a separate, independent program set apart from the Public Defender Field Offices, the State Public Defender and Administrative Services. The GAL Program headquarters will be in Cheyenne, but will be housed separately from the Public Defender Agency. The GAL appointments to cases will not be administrated and rotated through the Public Defender system, but will be done independently through the GAL Program's own mechanisms and procedures.

Check back for more updates regarding the GAL Program. (Last updated 4/10/08)

Our Lander office has moved to a new location. They can now be found at:
427 Lincoln St.
Lander, WY 82520

Our Douglas office has moved to a new location. They can now be found at:
313 Center St.
Douglas, WY 82633

]]> Office of the State Public Defender <p>Annual Report</p> http://wyodefender.state.wy.us/annual_report.php 2008 Annual Report

2009 Annual Report

2010 Annual Report

2011 Annual Report

]]> Office of the State Public Defender FAQ #1 http://wyodefender.state.wy.us/faq.php#1
We represent individuals charged with commission of a crime in state courts (Circuit, District and the Wyoming Supreme Court) and juveniles charged with committing a delinquent act. Eligibility for representation is determined by a sworn statement of inability to afford private counsel. Appointment of the Public Defender is by the court. ]]> Office of the State Public Defender FAQ #2 http://wyodefender.state.wy.us/faq.php#2
The Public Defender handles cases ranging from simple misdemeanors to complex felonies and death penalty cases, as well as cases in Juvenile Court. ]]> Office of the State Public Defender FAQ #3 http://wyodefender.state.wy.us/faq.php#3
The Public Defender represents the accused (defendant) in a criminal proceeding. The District Attorney represents the State of Wyoming in a criminal proceeding. ]]> Office of the State Public Defender FAQ #4 http://wyodefender.state.wy.us/faq.php#4
The Public Defender does not handle this sort of representation. ]]> Office of the State Public Defender FAQ #5 http://wyodefender.state.wy.us/faq.php#5
The courts and the office of the Public Defender provide language assistance and interpreters as needed. Please contact the office for more information. ]]> Office of the State Public Defender FAQ #6 http://wyodefender.state.wy.us/faq.php#6
Yes. Although the Office of the Public Defender is an office of state government, the attorneys represent the clients with the same skill, zeal, and confidentiality as a private attorney and are bound by the Rules of Professional Responsibility. ]]> Office of the State Public Defender FAQ #7 http://wyodefender.state.wy.us/faq.php#7
The Public Defender does not represent individuals charged with infractions - offenses punishable by only a fine. The Public Defender does represent individuals on several driving related offenses, such as driving under the influence, reckless driving, etc. ]]> Office of the State Public Defender FAQ #8 http://wyodefender.state.wy.us/faq.php#8
No. ]]> Office of the State Public Defender FAQ #9 http://wyodefender.state.wy.us/faq.php#9
We cannot answer any questions about a client&acute;s case, regardless of relation, unless we have written authorization from the client allowing us to do so. ]]> Office of the State Public Defender Casper, WY Public Defender's Office http://wyodefender.state.wy.us/contact_us.php 200 N Center, 3rd Floor
Casper, WY 82601
Phone: (307) 261-2162

]]> Office of the State Public Defender Cheyenne, WY Public Defender's Office http://wyodefender.state.wy.us/contact_us.php 2020 Carey Avenue, 3rd Floor
Cheyenne, WY 82002
Phone: (307) 777-7137

]]> Office of the State Public Defender Cody, WY Public Defender's Office http://wyodefender.state.wy.us/contact_us.php 1043 13th Street
Cody, WY 82002
Phone: (307)587-9277

]]> Office of the State Public Defender Douglas, WY Public Defender's Office http://wyodefender.state.wy.us/contact_us.php 313 Center St.
Douglas, WY 82633
Phone: (307) 358-9821

]]> Office of the State Public Defender Evanston, WY Public Defender's Office http://wyodefender.state.wy.us/contact_us.php Uinta Co. Courthouse
225 9th Street
Evanston, WY 82002
Phone: (307) 789-0755

]]> Office of the State Public Defender Gillette, WY Public Defender's Office http://wyodefender.state.wy.us/contact_us.php 500 S. Gillette, SUITE 2700
Gillette, WY 82002
Phone: (307) 686-1490

]]> Office of the State Public Defender Jackson, WY Public Defender's Office http://wyodefender.state.wy.us/contact_us.php 350 E. Broadway, 2nd Floor.
P.O. Box 4200
Jackson, WY 82002
Phone: (307) 733-1067

]]> Office of the State Public Defender Lander, WY Public Defender's Office http://wyodefender.state.wy.us/contact_us.php 427 Lincoln Street Suite #1
Lander, WY 82520
Phone: (307) 332-2309

]]> Office of the State Public Defender Laramie, WY Public Defender's Office http://wyodefender.state.wy.us/contact_us.php 1002 S. 3rd Street, Suite 200
Laramie, WY 82070
Phone: (307) 742-6604

]]> Office of the State Public Defender Rawlins, WY Public Defender's Office http://wyodefender.state.wy.us/contact_us.php Carbon BLDG. #164
215 West buffalo
P.O. Box 461
Rawlins, WY 82301
Phone: (307) 328-1644

]]> Office of the State Public Defender Rock Springs, WY Public Defender's Office http://wyodefender.state.wy.us/contact_us.php 404 N. Street Suite 305
Rock Springs, WY 82901
Phone: (307) 362-4474

]]> Office of the State Public Defender Sheridan, WY Public Defender's Office http://wyodefender.state.wy.us/contact_us.php 203 South Main, Suite 3500
Sheridan, WY 82801
Phone: (307) 672-8156

]]> Office of the State Public Defender Torrington, WY Public Defender's Office http://wyodefender.state.wy.us/contact_us.php 108 East 20th
Torrington, WY 82240
Phone: (307) 532-7900

]]> Office of the State Public Defender Worland, WY Public Defender's Office http://wyodefender.state.wy.us/contact_us.php P.O. Box 526
Worland, WY 82401-0526
Phone: (307) 347-2562

]]> Office of the State Public Defender Cheyenne - Administration, WY Public Defender's Office http://wyodefender.state.wy.us/contact_us.php Rogers Building,
316 West 22nd Street
Cheyenne - Administration, WY 82002
Phone: (307) 777-7519

]]> Office of the State Public Defender Cheyenne - Appellate, WY Public Defender's Office http://wyodefender.state.wy.us/contact_us.php 2020 Carey Ave., 1st Floor
Cheyenne - Appellate, WY 82002
Phone: (307) 777-3451

]]> Office of the State Public Defender Cheyenne - GAL, WY Public Defender's Office http://wyodefender.state.wy.us/contact_us.php Rogers Building, Basement
316 West 22nd Street
Cheyenne - GAL, WY 82002
Phone: 777-7480

]]> Office of the State Public Defender Newcastle, WY Public Defender's Office http://wyodefender.state.wy.us/contact_us.php 30 N. Summit
Newcastle, WY 82701
Phone: 307-746-3115

]]> Office of the State Public Defender Not Assigned, Public Defender's Office http://wyodefender.state.wy.us/contact_us.php
Not Assigned,
Phone:

]]> Office of the State Public Defender