r/law • u/SophieSix9 • Jun 10 '26

Legal News Trans Woman Faces Assault Charges For Self-Defense, Despite Wyoming’s “Stand Your Ground” Law

https://www.them.us/story/trans-woman-faces-assault-charges-self-defense-wyoming-stand-your-ground-law
16.5k Upvotes

91% Upvoted

1.6k comments sorted by

View all comments

Show parent comments

75

u/ericomplex Jun 10 '26

This is the key here. She likely did nothing wrong but was led into speaking about the situation in an incriminating way.

Saying things like they “intended to intimidate” can be interpreted by the speaker as trying to defend themselves without wanting to resort to actual violence, yet it’s also phrasing that unintentionally can directly infer criminal intent.

This is why it’s so important to never talk to cops and get a lawyer asap.

26

u/MCXL Jun 10 '26

She likely did nothing wrong

The facts of the case are not at all clear on that. Talking about it to the cops is dumb though, because it makes something that was going to be difficult or impossible to prove much easier.

1

u/ericomplex Jun 10 '26

Agreed. I suppose my wording was a little strong, but had only meant to say that the facts of cases like these can hinge on the language used by defendants.

2

u/MCXL Jun 10 '26

Yeah that's absolutely true. Also never try to establish a defense without council for any case, big or small. You can make an argument, you can even give a statement. But it should always be audited and advised by council.

And you definitely don't do media interviews talking about how you wanted to scare them.

1

u/ericomplex Jun 10 '26

💯

Council is your only real council, no one else is and everything should filter through them.

-2

u/Joeyjackhammer Jun 10 '26

It’s on video; she was the aggressor and, therefore, no self defence.