Wyoming Motion to Bar Use of Certain Aggravating Circumstances is a legal procedure designed to prevent the prosecution from introducing specific aggravating circumstances during a criminal trial. Aggravating circumstances are factors that can increase the severity of a crime or the sentence imposed on the defendant. This motion limits the scope of evidence that can be presented by the prosecution, ultimately aiming to ensure a fair trial for the defendant. In Wyoming, there are several types of motions to bar the use of certain aggravating circumstances, each serving a distinct purpose within the legal system. Some common types include: 1. Motion to Bar Use of Prior Convictions: This motion seeks to prevent the prosecution from presenting the defendant's previous criminal convictions as an aggravating circumstance. It argues that such evidence would be unfairly prejudicial and irrelevant to the current case. 2. Motion to Bar Use of Character Evidence: This motion aims to exclude any evidence related to the defendant's character that may be used to support an aggravating circumstance. It asserts that character evidence is often unreliable and can unduly bias the jury. 3. Motion to Bar Use of Victim's Personal History: This motion strives to prohibit the prosecution from introducing the victim's personal history as an aggravating circumstance. It argues that such evidence may unfairly shift the focus of the trial away from the defendant's actions. 4. Motion to Bar Use of Inflammatory or Prejudicial Evidence: This motion seeks to exclude any evidence that is inflammatory or highly prejudicial to the defendant. It asserts that presenting such evidence may unduly influence the jury's decision-making process. 5. Motion to Bar Use of Improperly Obtained Evidence: This motion aims to suppress any evidence that was obtained illegally or in violation of the defendant's constitutional rights. It contends that using such evidence to establish aggravating circumstances would be fundamentally unfair. By filing these various types of motions, defense attorneys in Wyoming can work to limit the admissibility of certain aggravating circumstances, protecting their clients' rights to a fair trial. These motions play a crucial role in ensuring a balanced and just legal process, allowing both sides to present their case without unduly prejudicing the jury.