State High Court: Circuit Courts Have Jurisdiction to Address Felony Defendants' Competency, Suspend Preliminary Hearings
“The plain language of Wyo. Stat. Ann. § 7-11-303(a) comports with procedural and constitutional law. For example, defendants have a right to counsel at a preliminary hearing, e.g., Coleman, Wilson, and a right to be present at that hearing,” Boomgaarden wrote. “During the preliminary hearing, a defendant can introduce evidence and cross-examine witnesses to, among other things: raise doubts as to whether probable cause exists; illicit testimony for impeachment or other purposes at a later stage; and discover information to assist in preparation for trial.”