- Arrest Records
- Judgments
- Bankruptcies
- DUIs & DWIs
- Felonies
- Warrants
- Jail Records
- Lien Records
- Sex Offenses
- Misdemeanors
- Criminal Records
- Federal Dockets
What are Wyoming Court Records?
Despite being the country's ninth largest state in geographic area, Wyoming has a population of just 584,000, making it the least populous state in the US. The state's court system is made up of a supreme court and several trial courts. District, Chancery, Circuit, and Municipal Courts make up its trial courts. These courts serve different purposes and have general or limited jurisdiction. The Wyoming court system handles around 112,394 cases every year.
All documents created and presented to Wyoming courts during its cases make up its court records. The following are included in Wyoming court records for any given case, which usually start with a complaint (in civil cases) or an indictment (in criminal cases):
Transcripts
These records document exactly what was said and by whom. They are extracted from a real-time transcriber or an electronic recording of the proceedings.
Docket Sheet
The docket lists the judge, defendant, plaintiff, and attorneys. It also provides a synopsis of every document cited during the trial.
Judgments and Orders
The judgment describes the court's ruling, including the winner and any penalties or orders that may be relevant.
Court Minutes
This compiles a chronology of court proceedings, including the beginning and conclusion of the trial, special actions, and minute orders.
Evidence
All evidence that is presented in court is kept on file. This applies to both electronic and physical evidence. If there are exceptional circumstances, the parties may request that the judge seal the evidence.
Pleadings
These are official documents prepared by attorneys that list the grievances, defenses, admissions, and other positions taken by each party in the case.
Types of Court Cases
Court proceedings in Wyoming are often separated into two types: civil and criminal. The main difference between a criminal and civil case, despite their numerous parallels, is that the former means jail time if proven guilty, while the latter usually means monetary compensation for damages. There are also the necessary standards of proof. In terms of actors, a civil case comprises two or more people, with one side requesting restitution from or a court order against the other, whereas a criminal case involves someone being prosecuted by the government.
Civil Cases
The goal of civil litigation is to settle disagreements among citizens. The fact that civil cases do not carry jail time or other serious rights violations is one of their most important features. As a result, compared to criminal trials, the burden of proof, the amount of evidence required to support a claim, is far lower.
The burden of proof for civil attorneys is the "preponderance of the evidence". This implies that the person with the strongest evidence would be chosen by the jury or judge. In a civil judgment, there is no requirement for a unanimous verdict, which occurs when all jurors concur on the verdict and the case's end.
Particularly in cases when a criminal prosecution has failed, the goal of civil verdicts is to give the winner relief, restitution for losses, or a sense of justice. Penalties can include compensating parties, halting specific actions, or addressing the root cause of the disagreement. There is also no legal right to legal representation in a civil case. Civil parties are required to hire their attorneys or attend court to represent themselves.
Criminal Cases
The State typically initiates criminal prosecutions. Those suspected of committing crimes are charged with crimes by the State. The local District Attorney's office usually brings the case against the defendant on behalf of the State.
In criminal proceedings, defendants have the right to a jury. The court chooses the jury from a random sample of district residents, and each juror is questioned to remove any potential bias. Defendants also have the option of a bench trial without a jury if the State agrees.
Unlike juries in civil trials, jurors in criminal trials must vote unanimously. This implies that they must all concur on the court case's outcome and verdict. The significantly higher potential penalties in a criminal prosecution are the reason for this requirement. A guilty verdict can result in probation, another kind of supervised release, jail time, or all of these; therefore, jurors must be certain that the defendant is "guilty beyond a reasonable doubt".
If a fine is imposed, the State receives the money instead of the aggrieved person. However, in certain cases, the judge may also order the offender to compensate the victim for any damages caused by the offense.
What Are the Different Courts in Wyoming?
Wyoming's court system has a five-justice Supreme Court at the top and trial courts that include district courts, a Chancery Court, circuit courts and municipal courts. The judicial branch budget is an estimated ~$45 million a year.
| Court Level | Court Name | Jurisdiction | Key Functions |
|---|---|---|---|
| Appellate | Wyoming Supreme Court | Statewide; final court on state law questions | Hears mainly appeals from district courts and may rule laws unconstitutional. |
| General Jurisdiction | District Courts | Felony criminal and larger civil cases, juvenile and probate matters (nine judicial districts) | Primary trial courts; also hear appeals from lower courts. |
| General Jurisdiction | Chancery Court | Business, trust and commercial disputes above the circuit court limit | Provides expedited resolution of fraud, fiduciary duty, contract and derivative cases. |
| Limited Jurisdiction | Circuit Courts | Misdemeanors, smaller civil claims, small claims, forcible entry and detainer, protection orders | Hold preliminary hearings in felony cases and set bail; located in every county. |
| Limited Jurisdiction | Municipal Courts | Local ordinance violations in some cities and towns | Impose fines and limited jail time; appeals go to district courts. |
How Many Federal Courts Are In Wyoming?
Wyoming has one federal court called the United States District Court for the District of Wyoming. It is a member of the 10th Circuit and is located in Cheyenne with satellite offices in Casper and Mammoth Hot Springs, Yellowstone National Park. The court is committed to the impartial administration of justice in the state.
The court is headed by Chief Judge Honorable Scott W. Skavdahl appointed by President Barrack Obama in 2011. Other notable judges in the court include: Honorable Nancy D. Freudenthal, Honorable Alan B. Johnson, and Honorable Kelly H. Rankin. There are two full-time magistrate judges in Wyoming: Chief Magistrate Judge Honorable Scott P. Klosterman in Cheyenne and Honorable Stephanie A. Hambrick in Mammoth. The Clerk of the US District Court for Wyoming is Maggie Botkins.
Appeals from the United States District Court for the District of Wyoming go to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 10th Circuit.
How Many Court Cases Are Filed Each Year in Wyoming?
Wyoming courts receive an estimated ~110,000 new cases a year, about half of them traffic, with clearance rates near 100%.
| Case Type | Annual Filings | % of Total | Common Offense/Subtype | Clearance Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Traffic | ~56,000 | ~50.9% | Speeding, DUI, driving without a license or insurance | ~100% |
| Criminal | ~22,000 | ~20.0% | Misdemeanors and felonies, drug, theft and assault offenses | ~100% |
| Civil | ~8,000 | ~7.3% | Contract, tort and collections cases | ~100% |
| Small Claims | ~7,000 | ~6.4% | Money claims up to $6,000 in circuit court | ~100% |
| Domestic Relations | ~4,700 | ~4.3% | Divorce, custody and child support | ~100% |
| Juvenile | ~1,300 | ~1.2% | Delinquency, abuse and neglect | ~100% |
| Other | ~11,000 | ~9.9% | Probate, protection orders, mental health and appeals | ~100% |
| Total | ~110,000 | ~100% | — | ~100% |
How Do I Look Up Court Cases in Wyoming?
Typically, the court's clerk of court is in charge of keeping court records in Wyoming. For instance, the Clerk of Court of the county in which a district court is located in Wyoming is responsible for maintaining the court's records. In a similar vein, the court records of a designated circuit court in Wyoming are kept up to date by the Clerk of Court.
To obtain these records, visit the court where the case was heard and request the Clerk of Court's office. Note that you will be required to provide some information about the record you are seeking. While court records are typically free, making copies of these records might attract some fees.
Number of Active Judges — State & Federal
Wyoming's state judges are appointed by the governor under a merit plan and face retention votes, while federal district judges are nominated by the president and confirmed by the U.S. Senate. Circuit and municipal counts are approximate.
| Court | Jurisdiction | Active Judges | Selection Method |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wyoming Supreme Court | Statewide appellate | 5 | Governor appointment from commission list, retention vote |
| District Courts | General jurisdiction trial courts (nine districts) | ~24 | Governor appointment from commission list, retention vote |
| Chancery Court | Business and commercial disputes | ~3 | Governor appointment from commission list, retention vote |
| Circuit Courts | Limited jurisdiction (misdemeanors, small claims, smaller civil cases) | ~24 | Governor appointment from commission list, retention vote |
| Municipal Courts | Limited jurisdiction (local ordinances) | ~40 | Appointed by the city or town |
| U.S. District Court, District of Wyoming | Federal trial court | ~3 | Nominated by the President, confirmed by the Senate, life tenure |
| Total Active Judges | — | ~99 | — |
What Court Records Are Not Available to the Public in Wyoming?
While the majority of court records are accessible to the public, some are not. The public cannot access records concerning minors such as adoption records or juvenile records including delinquency proceedings and child protection records such as child abuse, custody, and neglect.
Mental health records such as commitment proceedings, mental health treatment proceedings, or records of involuntary commitment are not publicly available. Additionally, the public cannot access grand jury proceedings, court records previously sealed by a court, or confidential information of an informant in a criminal case.
Average Case Processing Time & Clearance Rates
Processing time in Wyoming varies by case type, from weeks for traffic and small claims matters to a year or more for contested civil cases. The values below are estimates based on typical dispositions.
| Case Type | Court Level | Average Processing Time | Description | Clearance Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Traffic & Parking | Limited Jurisdiction | ~30–60 days | Most infractions are resolved by payment of a fine, a deferral or a short hearing before a judge or magistrate. | ~100% |
| Small Claims | Limited Jurisdiction | ~30–60 days | Informal hearings on small money disputes, usually decided at a single hearing or by default or settlement. | ~100% |
| Misdemeanor Criminal | Limited Jurisdiction | ~60–120 days | Most cases end in a guilty plea or dismissal after arraignment and a pretrial conference; few go to trial. | ~100% |
| Civil Cases | General Jurisdiction | ~9–15 months | Cases move through pleadings and discovery; most settle or are dismissed before trial. | ~100% |
| Domestic Relations | General Jurisdiction | ~4–9 months | Divorce and custody cases are mostly settled by agreement or mediation; contested cases need a final hearing. | ~100% |
| Felony Criminal | General Jurisdiction | ~5–9 months | Cases begin in a preliminary stage and mostly end in plea agreements; a small share go to jury trial. | ~100% |