{"id":377392,"date":"2017-11-17T11:34:33","date_gmt":"2017-11-17T16:34:33","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/state\/wyoming-law\/wyoming-criminal-laws.html"},"modified":"2026-04-27T10:36:59","modified_gmt":"2026-04-27T15:36:59","slug":"wyoming-criminal-laws","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/state\/wyoming-law\/wyoming-criminal-laws.html","title":{"rendered":"Wyoming Criminal Laws"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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\n \n Wyoming Criminal Laws\n <\/h1>\n \n Learn about the basics of Wyoming’s criminal laws.\n <\/p>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n
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\n By Susan Buckner, J.D.<\/a> | Legally reviewed by Laura Temme, Esq.<\/a>\n | Last reviewed\n
\n \n <\/i>\n Legally Reviewed\n <\/summary>\n\n
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This article has been written and reviewed for legal accuracy, clarity, and style by FindLaw\u2019s team of legal writers and attorneys<\/a> and in accordance with our editorial standards<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n\n

\n \n <\/i>\n Fact-Checked\n <\/summary>\n\n
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The last updated date refers to the last time this article was reviewed by FindLaw or one of our contributing authors<\/a>. We make every effort to keep our articles updated. For information regarding a specific legal issue affecting you, please contact an attorney in your area<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n<\/section>\n\n\n\n

The state of <\/span>Wyoming<\/span>\u2019s <\/span>criminal laws<\/span> are similar to those throughout the United States. Wyoming<\/span> statutes<\/span> define felony offenses<\/span>, misdemeanors<\/span>, and infractions. They also outline criminal procedures<\/span> for courts and the penalties prescribed for each offense. Wyoming<\/span>\u2019s criminal code<\/span><\/a> contains provisions for civil recovery in criminal cases<\/span> and for interactions between state and\u00a0federal law<\/span>.<\/p>\n

Felonies and Misdemeanors<\/span><\/h2>\n

Under Wyoming<\/span> state law<\/span>, a felony<\/a> is a criminal offense<\/span> punishable by more than one year in prison. In general, felonies include violent crimes, robbery, and sexual assault<\/span>.<\/p>\n

Misdemeanors<\/span><\/a> are punishable by less than one year in jail. Some violent crimes and lesser theft offenses are classed as misdemeanors<\/span> or felonies, depending on the circumstances of the case. Use of a deadly weapon<\/span> increases the level, or \u201cdegree,\u201d of the case.<\/p>\n

An infraction<\/a> is a minor offense. Motor vehicle<\/span> violations other than DUIs are examples of infractions. Infractions receive fines and other sanctions<\/span>, such as revocation of your driver\u2019s license<\/span>.<\/p>\n

Criminal Punishment<\/h3>\n

Some states base their punishment on the degree of a crime. First-degree<\/span> crimes have one sentencing range, second-degree<\/span> crimes have another, and so on. Wyoming<\/span> sentencing courts<\/span> use a different schedule. Crimes have degrees of severity, but each crime has a discrete punishment. First-degree<\/span> murder and first-degree<\/span> sexual assault<\/span> do not have similar sentencing schedules.<\/p>\n

Although Wyoming<\/span> state statutes<\/span> contain the death penalty<\/span><\/a>, Wyoming<\/span> has not carried out an execution since 1992, and has not imposed a death sentence since 2004. The current method of execution is lethal injection. Issues with lethal injection drugs prompted the Wyoming<\/span> legislature<\/span> to consider the firing squad as an alternative. Wyoming<\/span>\u2019s death row is empty, and the most serious sentence handed down today is life imprisonment<\/span> without possibility of parole.<\/p>\n

Trials and Defenses<\/h3>\n

Wyoming<\/span>\u2019s criminal code<\/span> contains general provisions<\/span> for justifiable use of force in self-defense<\/span> and for the effects of involuntary intoxication on forming intent. These may be mitigating<\/span> factors when a defendant faces other criminal charges.<\/p>\n

In general, criminal prosecution<\/span> begins in the district courts<\/span>. Law enforcement agencies<\/span> can refer cases directly, or the district attorney can request a grand jury indictment.<\/p>\n

Wyoming<\/span> has an affirmative \u201cstand-your-ground\u201d law. The law presumes an individual has a \u201creasonable fear of imminent peril of injury or death\u201d when faced with an unlawful attacker, and has the right to defend themselves with equal force, up to and including lethal force. The state will not prosecute an individual who defends themself or their family under this law.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Learn About Wyoming Criminal Laws<\/h2>\n \n
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