{"id":377428,"date":"2016-03-31T21:37:24","date_gmt":"2016-04-01T02:37:24","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/state\/wyoming-law\/wyoming-protective-orders-laws.html"},"modified":"2023-02-06T16:13:54","modified_gmt":"2023-02-06T21:13:54","slug":"wyoming-protective-orders-laws","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/state\/wyoming-law\/wyoming-protective-orders-laws.html","title":{"rendered":"Wyoming Protective Orders Laws"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Wyoming Protective Orders Laws<\/h1>\n
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\n By FindLaw Staff<\/a> | Legally reviewed by Nicole Prebeck, 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

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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

Also known as orders of protection and protective orders, protection orders<\/a> help victims of domestic violence and stalking protect themselves from their abusers. If you’re a victim of domestic violence or stalking, it’s wise to get an order of protection.<\/p>\r\n

Continue reading for an overview of protection orders and related laws in Wyoming.<\/p>\r\n

Protective Orders and Related Laws<\/h2>\r\n

A protective order is a court-certified document that prohibits the person named in the order from getting within a certain distance of the person seeking the order. If the named person violates the order, they can be arrested and charged with a crime. Protective orders<\/a> are most often used in cases of domestic abuse, but they can also be used to try to keep stalkers away.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Code Section<\/td>\r\n 35-21-101, et seq.; 6-4-404<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>
Activity Addressed by Order<\/td>\r\nOrders address a variety of activities. The following are examples of activities addressed by orders of protection:
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  • Prohibiting the respondent (the alleged perpetrator) from making contact with the petitioner (the alleged victim)<\/li>\r\n
  • Excluding the respondent from a dwelling<\/li>\r\n
  • Establishing temporary custody or support arrangements<\/li>\r\n
  • Requiring the respondent to attend counseling sessions<\/li>\r\n
  • Ordering a telephone service provider to transfer to the petitioner sole rights to a telephone service, while also cancelling the respondent’s ability to use that service, including access to any data available through that service<\/li>\r\n
  • Granting sole possession to petitioner of any household pet or barring contact between the respondent and that pet<\/li>\r\n
  • Prohibiting possession of firearms<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>
Duration of Order<\/td>\r\nProtective orders may last for a duration of up to three years, while they may also be extended in three-year increments.<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>
Penalty for a Violation of Order<\/td>\r\nIf the respondent willfully violates an order, the offense will be treated as a misdemeanor. For a misdemeanor, the respondent faces up to six months in jail and\/or a fine of $750.<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>
Who May Apply for Order<\/td>\r\nThe following people are eligible for orders of protection:
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  • Household members<\/li>\r\n
  • Persons living with each other as though they are married<\/li>\r\n
  • Persons married to each other<\/li>\r\n
  • Formerly married persons<\/li>\r\n
  • Persons formerly married to each other as though they were married<\/li>\r\n
  • Parents and the adult children of those parents<\/li>\r\n
  • People that live together<\/li>\r\n
  • Persons in — or who have been in — a dating relationship<\/li>\r\n
  • Any victim of domestic abuse<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>
Can Fees Be Waived?<\/td>\r\nThere are no filing fees.<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>
Order Transmission to Law Enforcement<\/td>\r\nA copy is sent to the county sheriff. The county sheriff notifies the local law enforcement agency in the petitioner’s county.<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>
Civil Liability for Violation of Order<\/td>\r\nYes<\/td>\r\n<\/tr><\/tbody><\/table>\r\n

Domestic violence<\/a> is taken seriously in Wyoming. Survivors of domestic abuse and those who feel threatened can use protection orders to shield themselves from further harassment and abuse. Wyoming also has emergency protection orders, which can be put in place quickly, so the threatened person has more time to request a more permanent order. Additionally, federal protection order law<\/a> requires states to honor and enforce valid orders issued by other states.<\/p>\r\n

Wyoming Protective Orders Laws: Related Resources<\/h2>\r\n

Obtaining and enforcing a protective order can be a legally and emotionally complex process. If you would like legal assistance with a protective order matter, you can contact a Wyoming domestic violence attorney<\/a>. You can also visit FindLaw’s Orders of Protection and Restraining Orders<\/a> section for more articles and resources on this topic.<\/p>\r\n

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