Wyoming Warrants: Types, Searches, and What to Expect

Warrants are court directives signed by a judge or magistrate permitting the police to arrest a person, search a building, or force a person to come to court. Warrants protect people's rights by making sure that there is a reasonable basis and a judge agrees before such actions take place. While the issuing of warrants is common in the United States, each state also has its set of laws and regulations on warrant issuance and application.

What Is a Warrant in Wyoming?

In Wyoming, a warrant is a court order that allows law enforcement to take certain actions. Warrants can:

• Allow the arrest of someone suspected of a crime.
• Permit the search and seizure of property connected to an investigation.
• Require someone to appear in court if they have not followed a court order.

Types of Warrants in Wyoming

There are several classes of warrants issued by Wyoming courts for unique purposes:

1. Arrest Warrants

They allow police to arrest an individual who is suspected of committing a crime. The judge only signs the arrest warrant after weighing evidence and having probable cause.

2. Bench Warrants

They are only issued when an individual fails to appear in court, misses a hearing, or fails to comply with court orders. The police can arrest the individual and bring him or her before the court.

3. Search Warrants

These empower the police to enter and search a specific area for evidence of a crime.

4. Fugitive Warrants

These are issued when an individual flees to another state in order to avoid trial. They empower the police to arrest and hold the individual pending their extradition to stand trial.

5. Administrative Inspection Warrants These allow inspecting officers to search specific premises or properties and seize material as justified.

How to Search for Warrants in Wyoming

Wyoming does not maintain a single statewide warrant database, but several official resources allow access to warrant information:

1. Wyoming Judiciary – Public Access Portal: This gives law enforcement the legal right to enter and search a specific location for evidence related to a crime. It also provides online access to case records from District and Circuit Courts. Warrants connected to criminal cases may be found through this system.
2. County Sheriff’s Offices: Each sheriff’s office has a division dedicated to handling warrants. Larger counties like Laramie (Cheyenne), Natrona (Casper), and Campbell (Gillette) often provide public warrant lists or allow people to inquire about them.
3. Clerk of Court Offices: Clerks are responsible for keeping official case files, which can include details about warrants.
4. Local Police Departments: Police departments in larger cities, like Cheyenne or Casper, may provide information on outstanding warrants. Some departments also maintain searchable databases on their websites.
5. Wyoming Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI): Wyoming keeps criminal records for the whole state, but details about warrants are usually only available to police and law enforcement officers.
6. Third-Party Search Services: Some commercial databases include Wyoming warrant data, but official verification must always come from sheriffs or courts.

Warrant Records in Major Wyoming Counties and Cities

Wyoming follows a county-based system; the way to access warrant records varies:

• Cheyenne (Laramie County): The Laramie County Sheriff's Office processes warrants. The Circuit and District Courts keep the case files.
• Casper (Natrona County): Warrants are processed by the District Court and Natrona County Sheriff's Office.
• Gillette (Campbell County): The Campbell County Sheriff's Office processes warrants. Court documents are available at the clerk of court's office.

What Happens After a Warrant Is Issued in Wyoming?

• Arrest Warrants: Arrest warrants allow police to arrest the individual, who then goes through arraignment and bail procedures.
• Bench Warrants: Bench warrants result from missed court appearances or failure to follow court orders, leading to possible immediate arrest and penalties.
• Search Warrants: This requires law enforcement to conduct searches within a set timeframe and only seize listed items.
• Civil Warrants: A person is being summoned to court, and ignoring them can lead to legal consequences like default judgments, wage garnishments, or liens.

Resolving a warrant in Wyoming usually means:

• Showing up voluntarily in court.
• Hiring a lawyer to help with surrender or bail arrangements.
• Paying any overdue fines or meeting other court requirements.

How Long Does a Warrant Stay Active in Wyoming?

In Wyoming, most warrants remain active until resolved:

• Arrest and bench warrant: it stays active forever. Even after many years, the police can arrest the person at any time. These unresolved warrants can also come up during traffic stops or background checks.
• Search warrants: Must be carried out within a short time, usually just a few days, because they relate to specific evidence and probable cause.
• Civil warrants: These also remain active until the person is returned to the requesting state or the case is resolved.

A warrant may be withdrawn when it was made in error, withdrawn when the person fulfills all outstanding court requirements, or cleared after serving or being settled by the courts.

Wyoming warrants guaranteed arrest, search, and showing up in court with approval from a judge. Some of the different types include suspect arrest warrants, bench warrants for not appearing in court, and civil warrants for disputes.

One may look up warrants on the web or ask sheriffs and courts, but one will find varying access by county. Warrants are not time-sensitive and are active until resolved in court. If you suspect you have a warrant, you should talk to a lawyer or the court as soon as possible to avoid surprise arrest.