The Law Offices of Dion J. Custis, PC

04/24/2023

Recently, a client was charged with felony possession of a deadly weapon with unlawful intent to harm. This client is an older hunter. As he was driving, a ranch owner confronted him and his brother on a public road. Then proceeds to tell them that it is a private property on both sides of the road. My client gets out of the truck grabs his shotgun and shoulders it. The alleged victim claimed that he walked to her truck and started yelling.

She proceeded to call the police claiming my client pointed a shotgun at her and threatened to kill her. My client and brother both said he never pointed a gun at her. Wyoming is an open-carry state, so he can legally walk up to a car with a shotgun.

The police questioned my client and his brother on the allegations, and they told them that they never pointed a shotgun at anyone. My client challenged the police, letting them know that he did not point his gun, threaten, or do anything outside of his rights. Police arrested him and didn’t bother with an investigation or follow-up.

Our client never pointed a gun, nor did he threaten the alleged victim. In the initial police report, the alleged victim claimed that my client “kind of” pointed the shotgun at her three different times. But, on cross-examination, in court, she stated that he “definitely” did point the gun at her. We argued that she was lying or mistaken but not definitive enough for proof beyond a reasonable doubt. She also claimed on the stand that she initially stopped the hunters to see if they needed directions. Her initial statement refuted her initial claim in the trial.

The jury out was out only an hour and a half and came back with a unanimous Not Guilty verdict. Our client was thrilled with the outcome.

If you are looking for skilled counsel and fearless advocacy, call The Law Offices of Dion J. Custis today at 307-638-2442 or 970-999-8835 or visit us online at https://www.custislaw.net/ to learn more.

07/29/2022

Did you know that a key component to winning at trial is an early and thorough Investigation?

Visit our blog to learn more about how we won a not guilty verdict through a initial and comprehensive investigation here:
https://www.custislaw.net/blog/winning-at-trial-with-early-and-thorough-investigation/

Our office has over 28 years experience preparing cases from start to finish with excellent results. Should you find yourself facing conflicting evidence and/or witnesses there are ways we can investigate to get you the best result possible.

Call 307-638-2442 to get started today.

06/01/2022

Domestic Violence charges in CO and WY are very serious offenses that can have lifelong consequences. It is very important that should one receive these charges that they do everything in their power to reduce the potential consequences of these type of charges.

Visit our blog to learn more: https://www.custislaw.net/blog/domestic-violence-charges-and-how-to-avoid-them/

Need legal counsel? Call us today at 307-638-2442 or 970-999-8835.

01/19/2022

Think you know all of the potential consequences of a DUI in Wyoming? Getting a DUI can impact every aspect of your life, sometimes for a long time. Read on to learn more:
https://www.custislaw.net/blog/potential-consequences-of-a-dui-in-wyoming/

12/03/2017

Is it possible to have fewer people under supervision and better public safety?

How putting fewer people on probation and parole can reduce prison populations, save money and keep us safer.

11/30/2017

Individuals aged 18 to 24 make up 30 percent of the arrests in the U.S. Should there be special provisions for youthful offenders?

OPINION | "The point is not to excuse bad behavior, but to emphasize the potential for rehabilitation."

11/27/2017

If your family member has an active warrant and you help them hide from the police, you could be charged as an accessory.

An "accessory after the fact" is someone who helps a criminal hide from police.http://criminal.lawyers.com/criminal-law-basics/aiding-and-abetting-a-criminal.html You can be charged as an accessory if you aid or abet your family member...

11/19/2017

A bipartisan group of politicians has become increasingly involved with examining the criminal justice system. What might be the effect of this?

A bipartisan group of state officials has started to visit prisons, meet crime victims, and engage with the criminal justice system. The goal: bring better reform to a broken system by understanding it more closely.

11/16/2017

Over 450,000 nonconvicted Americans await trial in jail today. And for many, it's because they can't afford to pay to get released.

There are many injustices in our nation’s criminal-justice system. But one of the greatest injustices occurs before the accused are even convicted of a crime. It’s the application of our money-bail system, and it works like this: Let’s say a mother is accused of shoplifting at a department store and...

10/29/2017

A criminal record can limit one's opportunities. How can we reduce recidivism and provide people with the tools necessary to succeed?

Are we doing enough to keep people recently released from jail from going back? Recidivism explained.

10/26/2017

How does culture influence patterns in crime across the world?

Are teen brains really hardwired for crime? A new study suggests culture may be more of a factor.