Office of the State Public Defender – Wyoming

The Office of the State Public Defender is a Public Defender's office in Wyoming whose function is to represent persons accused of misdemeanors, felonies and probation violations in circuit and district courts who cannot afford to hire an attorney. The Public Defender's mission 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 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 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.