Wyoming Prohibited Consensual Sexual Activity Laws

By FindLaw Staff | Legally reviewed by Nicole Prebeck, Esq. | Last reviewed January 23, 2023

For the most part, consensual sexual activity is none of the government's business. Sexual assault, rape, and other sex crimes all involve non-consensual sex and thus are considered serious violations. However, there are some situations when consensual sex crosses the line and either endangers another's well-being or disrupts the public.

This article provides a brief overview of Wyoming laws prohibiting certain consensual sexual acts. Keep in mind that "consent" is a legal term defined by state criminal law. For example, it is impossible for anyone under the age of 17 to consent to sexual activity in the state of Wyoming.

History of Prohibited Consensual Sex Acts

There are voluntary sexual activities that are regulated under state consensual sexual activity laws in all jurisdictions. Most of the time, these guidelines reflect the social and political norms of the particular state at the time the laws were created and thus are subject to change over time. While any kind of non-consensual sex is a crime, most states at one time enforced anti-sodomy laws. These laws have since been struck down by Lawrence v. Texas (2003) since they unconstitutionally singled-out same-sex couples.

Prohibited Consensual Sexual Activity Laws in Wyoming

The following chart outlines Wyoming's prohibited consensual sexual activity laws. See FindLaw's Sex Crimes section to learn more about prohibited non-consensual sex acts.

Sodomy Laws Applicable to	There is no anti-sodomy statute in Wyoming.
Penalty for Sodomy	There is no penalty for sodomy in Wyoming.
HIV Exposure and Compelled Testing for Offenders	There is no law compelling HIV or STI testing of defendants in Wyoming.
Other Crimes Relating to Consensual Sex Acts	Promoting obscenity: Under Wyo. Stat. Ann. § 6-4-302, if a person is guilty of promoting obscenity, this crime is considered a misdemeanor. If to an adult, they are subject to a fine of up to $1,000 or by imprisonment for up to one year, or both. If to a minor, for each violation, they are subject to a fine of up to $6,000 or imprisonment for up to one year or both. Prostitution: Under Wyo. Stat. Ann. § 6-4-101 et seq., the penalties for prostitution vary depending on one's involvement in the sex-for-hire operation. For example, if a person commits or offers prostitution, they are guilty of a misdemeanor while if a person promotes prostitution, they are guilty of a felony punishable by imprisonment for three years and/or a fine of up to $3,000. Public indecency: Under Wyo. Stat. Ann. § 6-4-201, public indecency is a misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment for up to six months, and a fine of not more than $750.
Other Crimes Relating to Non-consensual Sex Acts	Statutory Rape: Under Wyo. Stat. Ann. § 6-2-314 et seq., an individual may be guilty of statutory rape, which includes sexual abuse of a minor in the first-degree, second-degree, third-degree. The penalties for each are different depending on the facts of the crime. Sexual assault: Under Wyo. Stat. Ann. § 6-2-302 et seq., sexual assault may be in the first-degree, second-degree, or third-degree. The penalties for each are different depending on the facts of the crime.

Note: State laws are always subject to change through the passage of new legislation, rulings in the higher courts (including federal decisions), ballot initiatives, and other means. While we strive to provide the most current information available, please consult an attorney or conduct your own legal research to verify the state law(s) you are researching.

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