Wyoming Criminal Defense Attorneys

At DearLegal, we connect you with experienced Wyoming criminal defense attorneys who navigate the District Court system, Treatment Court Programs, indeterminate sentencing with the Wyoming Board of Parole, and Wyoming’s wide-open-spaces criminal procedure. Whether your case is in Cheyenne, Casper, Laramie, Gillette, Rock Springs, Sheridan, Jackson, or anywhere across Wyoming’s 23 counties, we’ll match you with the right attorney — at no cost to get started.

No. Politely decline and ask for an attorney. Wyoming Highway Patrol, DCI (Division of Criminal Investigation), Cheyenne PD, Casper PD, Laramie PD, and county sheriffs use trained interrogation. Anything you say is admissible. Invoke your Fifth Amendment right to silence and Wyo. Const. Art. 1, § 11 right against self-incrimination.

Yes. Wyoming misdemeanors carry up to 1 year in county jail and $1,000-$5,000 fines depending on offense. Suspended Imposition of Sentence (§ 7-13-301) — completion means no conviction on record — and Treatment Court programs make early counsel critical. DV (§ 6-2-510, 511) and DUI convictions trigger major collateral consequences including federal firearm prohibitions.

State cases go through Wyoming District Court (felonies, certain misdemeanors) or Circuit Court (misdemeanors). Federal cases go to U.S. District Court for the District of Wyoming (Cheyenne, Casper, Yellowstone holdings) under the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines. Federal cases commonly involve drug trafficking (I-25, I-80, I-90 corridors), § 922(g) firearm cases, wire fraud, energy-sector fraud, Yellowstone National Park offenses (exclusive federal jurisdiction), and Major Crimes Act prosecutions in Wind River Reservation.

Wyoming plea agreements under W.R.Cr.P. 11 are negotiated between the county/district attorney and defense. Pleas can include charge reductions, Suspended Imposition of Sentence (§ 7-13-301 — completion = no conviction), Treatment Court entry (drug court, DUI court, mental health court), and stipulated sentence recommendations.

Yes, but Wyoming expungement is narrower than most states. § 7-13-1501 et seq. allows expungement of certain non-violent misdemeanors after 5 years (1 year for first-offense alcohol misdemeanors), certain non-violent felonies after 10 years (post-2020 reforms). Violent felonies, sex offenses, DUIs, and offenses involving firearms generally not expungeable. Suspended Imposition completion (§ 7-13-301) means no conviction on public record.

Wyoming handles juveniles in District Court Juvenile Division under Wyo. Stat. Title 14, Ch. 6. Juvenile records confidential. Expungement of juvenile records under § 14-6-241. Transfer to adult court for 14+ for serious offenses under § 14-6-237; certain offenses for 14+ have concurrent jurisdiction (Wyoming uses prosecutorial direct file for some violent felonies).

Wyoming DUI under Wyo. Stat. § 31-5-233: BAC .08+ adult, .02 under 21, .04 CDL. First offense: up to 6 months jail, $200-$750 fine, 90-day license suspension, IID for first offense BAC .15+. Second offense within 10 years: mandatory 7 days, $200-$750 fine. Third offense within 10 years: felony with mandatory 30 days, up to 2 years. Fourth offense within 10 years: felony with up to 7 years. Aggravated DUI (BAC .15+) enhanced penalties. Implied consent under § 31-6-102 — refusal triggers 6-month administrative license suspension.

Why Do You Need a Criminal Defense Attorney in Wyoming?

Wyoming classifies crimes under Wyo. Stat. Title 6. Wyoming does not use a generic class-based felony numbering system; offenses are defined statute by statute with specific maximum sentences. Felonies are offenses punishable by more than 1 year (state penitentiary); misdemeanors up to 1 year (county jail). Murder in the First Degree carries life without parole, life, or death (Wyo. Stat. § 6-2-101) — Wyoming retains an active but rarely-used death penalty (last execution 1992). Wyoming marijuana remains strictly criminalized: no medical or recreational. Simple possession (under 3 oz) is a misdemeanor (§ 35-7-1031(c)) up to 12 months and $1,000; over 3 oz felony. Wyoming uses indeterminate sentencing with minimum and maximum and the Wyoming Board of Parole controlling release decisions. Mandatory minimums apply for certain firearms, drug, and habitual offender enhancements. Treatment Court Program (drug court, DUI court, mental health court) is available in major counties. Wyoming’s Suspended Imposition of Sentence under Wyo. Stat. § 7-13-301 is the primary first-offender diversion — successful completion means no conviction on the public record. Expungement under § 7-13-1501 et seq. is limited but was expanded in 2020 reforms for certain non-violent misdemeanors and felonies after waiting periods.

When Do You Need a Criminal Defense Attorney in Wyoming?

Our network includes Wyoming criminal defense attorneys who handle every kind of case, including:

Types of Criminal Defense Cases in Wyoming

From the moment you connect with a Wyoming criminal defense attorney, they go to work protecting your claim. The most common case types we handle:

Talking to Wyoming Highway Patrol, DCI, Cheyenne PD, Casper PD, or any Wyoming officer without an attorney

Consenting to a search when Wyo. Const. Art. 1, § 4 may require a warrant

Missing a Wyoming court date — bench warrants and bond forfeiture follow

Posting about the case on social media — Wyoming prosecutors subpoena platforms aggressively

Deleting messages or photos from your phone — Tampering with evidence offenses can be felonies

Accepting the county/district attorney’s first plea offer without exploring Suspended Imposition, Treatment Court, drug court, DUI court, mental health court, or charge reduction

Talking to Wyoming Highway Patrol, DCI, Cheyenne PD, Casper PD, or any Wyoming officer without an attorney

Consenting to a search when Wyo. Const. Art. 1, § 4 may require a warrant

Missing a Wyoming court date — bench warrants and bond forfeiture follow

Posting about the case on social media — Wyoming prosecutors subpoena platforms aggressively

Deleting messages or photos from your phone — Tampering with evidence offenses can be felonies

Accepting the county/district attorney’s first plea offer without exploring Suspended Imposition, Treatment Court, drug court, DUI court, mental health court, or charge reduction

Common Wyoming Criminal Defense Mistakes

Even a small misstep can hurt your case. Here’s what to avoid:

How Much Do Wyoming Criminal Defense Attorneys Cost?

Flat Fee

Most matters are billed as a flat fee per petition or filing — fee depends on case complexity.

Criminal defense attorneys in Wyoming work on hourly or flat-fee retainers — contingency fees are prohibited in criminal cases under Wyo. R. Prof. Conduct 1.5(d) and ABA Model Rule 1.5(d). Misdemeanors and most felonies are flat-fee; complex cases (federal, capital, white-collar) use hourly billing. The Wyoming Office of the State Public Defender represents indigent defendants statewide.

What Can Your Wyoming Criminal Defense Compensation Include?

Charge Dismissal

Outright dismissal through motion to suppress, motion to dismiss for insufficient evidence, prosecutor nolle prosequi, or speedy trial dismissal.

Charge Reduction

Reduction from felony to misdemeanor, from higher statutory maximum to lower, removal of habitual offender (§ 6-10-201) and firearm enhancement allegations.

Suspended Imposition / Diversion

Suspended Imposition of Sentence (§ 7-13-301) — completion = no conviction on public record. Treatment Court Program, drug court, DUI court, mental health court, veterans court.

Plea Agreement

Negotiated resolution under W.R.Cr.P. 11. Includes charge reductions, dismissed counts, recommended sentences, and probation in lieu of incarceration. Wyoming Board of Parole retains release control for indeterminate sentences.

Trial Acquittal

Not guilty verdict by Wyoming jury or judge. Wyoming criminal juries are 12 for felonies, 6 for misdemeanors, and must be unanimous (Wyo. Const. Art. 1, § 9).

Post-Conviction Relief

Wyoming Post-Conviction Determination of Factual Innocence (§ 7-12-401 et seq.) and habeas corpus under § 1-27-101. Includes IAC, newly discovered evidence, illegal sentence, constitutional violations. Successor petitions restricted.

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DearLegal is a legal referral service, not a law firm. We connect individuals with licensed attorneys who can evaluate their case. Nothing on this page constitutes legal advice. Results vary based on individual circumstances.

Wyoming Criminal Defense Attorneys

Why Do You Need a Criminal Defense Attorney in Wyoming?

When Do You Need a Criminal Defense Attorney in Wyoming?

Types of Criminal Defense Cases in Wyoming

Common Wyoming Criminal Defense Mistakes

How Much Do Wyoming Criminal Defense Attorneys Cost?

What Can Your Wyoming Criminal Defense Compensation Include?

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