Wyoming Felony: Laws, Penalties, Sentencing, and Records

In Wyoming, a felony is a serious offense that carries a sentence of more than a year in state prison. According to Wyoming law, felonies are the most serious offenses and are punishable by lengthy jail sentences, hefty fines, civil rights limitations, and permanent criminal records. Wyoming does not classify crimes into degrees or classes, unlike many other states. Rather, the state specifies the range of penalties for each felony..

What Is Considered a Felony in Wyoming?

The Wyoming Statutes Annotated (Wyo. Stat. § 6-1-101 et seq.) defines felonies in Wyoming. Typical felonies in Wyoming include:

• Violent Crimes: These crimes involve causing physical harm to another person, such as murder, manslaughter, rape, aggravated assault, and kidnapping.
• Drug Crimes: Drug offenses include the manufacturing, trafficking, and distribution of controlled substances.
• Property Crimes: These are crimes targeted at other people’s properties, such as arson, burglary, auto theft, and larceny of property worth $1,000 or more.
• White-Collar Crimes: These crimes include financial fraud, embezzlement, forgery, securities violations, and identity theft.
• Weapons Offenses: These include possession of a firearm by a felon, armed criminal action, and unlawful firearm sales.

Certain misdemeanors escalate into felonies depending on severity. For example:

• Theft below $1,000 is a misdemeanor; above that threshold, it is considered felony larceny.
• Assault becomes aggravated felony assault if it involves a deadly weapon or causes serious injury.

What Is a Felony in Wyoming?

According to Wyoming law, a felony is any offense that carries a jail sentence in the state prison. Misdemeanors, on the other hand, have less severe punishments that involve time in county jail.

Consequences of a felony conviction in Wyoming include:

• Prison sentences ranging from 1 year to life.
• Fines up to $50,000, depending on the statute.
• Loss of rights while detained, such as the ability to vote, serve on a jury, and own a firearm.
• A permanent criminal recordmay have an effect on professional licensing, housing, and employment.

Felony Penalties in Wyoming

Wyoming does not use degree or class structures. Instead, statutes assign penalties individually.

Examples of Wyoming Felony Penalties

• First-Degree Murder: This typically attracts life imprisonment or the death penalty.
• Second-Degree Murder: This crime can get perpetrators 20 years to life.
• Manslaughter: Manslaughter carries a sentence of up to 20 years.
• Kidnapping: This crime can get a convicted individual 20 years to life.
• Robbery: If convicted of theft, a person faces 5 to 25 years.
• Aggravated Assault: Aggravated assault carries a sentence of up to 10 years.
• Burglary: A person convicted of such a crime can face up to 10 years.
• Larceny (Over $1,000): This crime can result in a conviction of up to 10 years.
• Drug Trafficking (Large Quantities): Drug trafficking carries a sentence of up to 20 years, with mandatory minimums in some instances.

Felony Sentencing Guidelines in Wyoming

Although statutes govern sentencing in Wyoming, judicial discretion, aggravating or mitigating circumstances, and rules about persistent offenders also have an impact.

Key Sentencing Factors

1. Statutory Penalties: Each felony statute provides its own sentencing range.
2. Mandatory Minimums: Some crimes, particularly drug trafficking, firearm-related felonies, and violent crimes, carry mandatory minimums.
3. Aggravating Factors: These factors could worsen a person’s sentence and include prior convictions, crimes against children or elderly victims, gang activity, or use of firearms.
4. Mitigating Factors: These include factors that lessen a person’s sentence and include first-time offender status, cooperation with law enforcement, or rehabilitation potential.
5. Habitual Criminal Act (Wyo. Stat. § 6-10-201): Repeat felony offenders may face life imprisonment.
6. Probation and Alternative Sentencing: Some nonviolent felonies may be eligible for probation or suspended sentences.
7. Parole: Eligibility is determined by the Wyoming Board of Parole, but violent crimes often limit parole options.

For example, a repeat offender may be sentenced to life in prison under the habitual criminal code, even though robbery convictions typically carry sentences of five to twenty-five years.

Felony Laws and Procedures in Major Wyoming Cities

Cheyenne (Laramie County)

The Laramie County District Court, which handles violent crime, drug, and property charges, is where felony cases in Cheyenne are prosecuted. Records are available through the Public Docket System of the Wyoming Judiciary or the Laramie County Clerk of Court.

Casper (Natrona County)

The Natrona County District Courthandles drug trafficking, fraud, and burglary felony charges in Casper. You can get access to records from this court from the Clerk's Office in Natrona County.

Laramie (Albany County)

The Albany County District Court hears felony crimes in Laramie, including assault, fraud, and theft. Records are available through statewide portals or through the Albany County Clerk.

How to Search for Felony Records in Wyoming

Wyoming offers both statewide and county-level access to felony case records.

1. Wyoming Judiciary Public Docket System

Users can search for felony cases by name or docket number on the Judiciary's case search portal. Typically, records consist of:

• Case number and docket history.
• Charges filed.
• Court location.
• Sentencing outcomes.

2. District Court Clerk’s Offices

The Clerk of District Court in the county where the case was prosecuted is the only source of certified criminal case files.

3. Wyoming Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI)

Statewide criminal history data, including felony convictions, is kept up to date by the DCI Criminal Records Unit.

4. Local Police and Sheriff’s Departments

Local police and sheriff's offices in Wyoming maintain records of arrests and incidents. The Wyoming Public Records Act allows the public to request these records, but it may not allow access to ongoing investigations.

5. Private Background Checks

Third-party providers also offer Wyoming felony record searches for a fee. However, if you are looking for official records, the Judiciary Docket System and DCI sources are the most reliable.

Open vs. Sealed Records

• Open Records: Most felony convictions remain public.
• Expungement: Wyoming allows expungement of some nonviolent felony convictions after a waiting period, usually 10 years. However, Wyoming does not allow violent crimes, sex offenses, or multiple felonies.

Why Understanding Felonies in Wyoming Matters

In Wyoming, a felony conviction carries lifelong repercussions in addition to jail time and penalties. They have an impact on housing access, job possibilities, and voting rights. Comprehending Wyoming's felony rules, penalties, and record access is essential for individuals, companies, and organizations.

In Wyoming, felonies are defined by statute, and the sentences range from one year for less serious offenses to life in prison or death for first-degree murder. There are several factors that may influence a defendant’s sentence, such as statutory ranges, habitual offender laws, and aggravating or mitigating circumstances. To find felony records in Wyoming, you may contact District Court Clerks, the Division of Criminal Investigation, or the Wyoming Judiciary's Public Docket System.