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Your Riverton Criminal Defense Attorney
Few things are as stressful as waiting to learn what a criminal charge will mean. The steadying part is that Wyoming law is specific about how charges are graded, what timing rules apply, and what can eventually change about a record. You will find the grading rules first, then the deadlines, the courts, the most common charges, and finally what can be cleared from a record and how. Talking with an attorney who knows local practice can turn these general rules into a plan for your case.
Your Key Wyoming Rules in One Place
- Felony or misdemeanor? Wyoming defines a felony as an offense punishable by death or by more than one year of imprisonment (Wyo. Stat. 6-10-101), and the exact penalty comes from the statute defining that specific offense, not a shared class table.
- How long can they wait to charge me? no statute of limitations; a felony or misdemeanor may be prosecuted at any time, under .
- Trial timing: trial must begin within 180 days of arraignment (W.R.Cr.P. 48(b)).
- Can this come off my record? Wyoming law provides for expungement of an arrest or dismissed charge (Wyo. Stat. 7-13-1401 to 7-13-1404), with eligibility rules that depend on the offense.
How Wyoming Grades Criminal Charges
Rather than a uniform grading table, Wyoming defines a felony under Wyo. Stat. 6-10-101 as an offense punishable by death or by more than one year of imprisonment. Everything else, misdemeanors, is what remains, and the actual penalty range for a specific charge is set in the statute defining that offense.
The grade of a charge also shapes practical questions beyond sentencing, including which court hears the case, whether a jury trial applies, and how the matter later appears on a background check.
The charging document is what actually fixes the range a court can impose, so having an attorney review it early is the fastest way to know what a specific charge means.
Rights Every Defendant Has, Regardless of the Charge
A few rights do not depend on which state the charge is in. Under Miranda v. Arizona, 384 U.S. 436 (1966), police must warn a suspect in custody of the right to remain silent and the right to counsel, and under Gideon v. Wainwright, 372 U.S. 335 (1963), the state must provide a lawyer to someone who cannot afford one.
The Sixth Amendment also guarantees a jury trial for serious criminal charges, and every defendant is presumed innocent until the prosecution proves guilt beyond a reasonable doubt, the standard set out in In re Winship, 397 U.S. 358 (1970).
Beyond trial, a conviction can usually be appealed to a higher court, and the right against self-incrimination applies at every stage of the case, not just during the initial arrest.
Deadlines That Apply to a Wyoming Criminal Charge
The deadline to start a prosecution is set by : no statute of limitations; a felony or misdemeanor may be prosecuted at any time.
Once charged, trial must begin within 180 days of arraignment, under W.R.Cr.P. 48(b).
These dates are worth pinning down early, since they can decide whether a case may proceed, and an attorney can confirm exactly how they apply to a specific charge.
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Felony and Misdemeanor Court in Wyoming
Felony cases in Wyoming go to the district court. Misdemeanors are generally heard in the circuit court. A case from Riverton is part of Fremont County.
The usual sequence is an initial appearance and bail decision soon after arrest, a preliminary hearing or grand jury proceeding, and then pretrial motions and trial if the case is not otherwise resolved.
Answers on the Charges We Hear About Most
DUI Charges in Riverton
Wyoming’s impaired-driving law sets its own thresholds and penalty structure for a DUI charge, and prior offenses typically increase what is at stake. The specific numbers that apply to a given charge come from the statute cited in the charging document, not a general rule.
Diversion or treatment programs are available in some DUI cases under Wyoming law; whether one applies depends on the charge and the person’s record.
The path through the system is similar across charge types: an initial court appearance, a bail decision, and a preliminary hearing or grand jury step ahead of any trial.
What Drug Charges Involve in Wyoming
Wyoming law distinguishes simple possession, meant for personal use, from manufacturing or distribution offenses, which carry substantially higher penalties. The schedule of the substance involved and the quantity typically decide how a charge is graded under Wyoming’s controlled substances statute.
Paraphernalia charges are often filed alongside a possession charge and are graded separately under Wyoming law.
The path through the system is similar across charge types: an initial court appearance, a bail decision, and a preliminary hearing or grand jury step ahead of any trial.
Facing an Assault Charge in Riverton
The line between a lower-level and a more serious assault charge in Wyoming usually turns on factors such as the degree of injury, the use of a weapon, or who the alleged victim was. The exact grading comes from the statute cited in the charging document.
Self-defense and other justification defenses are available under Wyoming law in appropriate cases, and the facts decide whether one applies.
Whatever the charge, the same general process applies: an initial appearance, a decision on bail or pretrial release, and either a preliminary hearing or a grand jury proceeding before the case can go to trial.
Facing a Theft Charge in Riverton
Theft charges in Wyoming are usually graded by the value of the property involved, with higher-value thefts charged as felonies and lower-value thefts as misdemeanors. The exact dollar thresholds are set in Wyoming’s theft statute and can change the range of penalties considerably.
Restitution to the alleged victim is commonly part of the outcome in a theft case, in addition to any criminal penalty.
The path through the system is similar across charge types: an initial court appearance, a bail decision, and a preliminary hearing or grand jury step ahead of any trial.
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Will This Stay on My Record?
The mechanism for clearing a record in Wyoming is expungement of an arrest or dismissed charge (Wyo. Stat. 7-13-1401 to 7-13-1404). Eligibility rules vary by offense and by outcome, so a case that did not end in conviction is often treated differently from one that did. available only when the person was not convicted; a separate statute (7-13-1501) allows expungement of certain misdemeanor convictions
Employers, landlords, and licensing boards often ask about criminal history, so a cleared or sealed record can make a real difference on those applications.
Because eligibility depends on the exact offense and how the case was resolved, an attorney should review the record before assuming a particular outcome.
What to Know About Cases in Riverton
Riverton cases are heard as part of Fremont County. Knowing which court you will be in, and how it schedules cases, matters, and an attorney who handles matters there can help.
Hurt because of someone else’s carelessness rather than facing a charge? Read our Riverton personal injury page. We connect people in Ethete, Shoshoni, and Lander with local attorneys as well. Looking beyond Riverton? Our statewide Wyoming criminal defense page lists every city we cover.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who decides how a charge is graded?
The prosecutor’s office decides what to charge, and the court applies the penalty range set by the statute for that offense.
How long does Wyoming have to bring criminal charges?
no statute of limitations; a felony or misdemeanor may be prosecuted at any time (null).
What happens if my trial does not start on time?
Where a specific deadline exists and is missed, the usual remedy is dismissal of the charges, though the details depend on the state’s rule.
Where is my case filed?
A case from Riverton is part of Fremont County.
Who can still see a cleared record?
Even where a record is cleared or restricted, certain agencies, such as law enforcement or licensing boards in some circumstances, may still have access.
How does Wyoming handle a DUI charge?
Wyoming’s own impaired-driving statute sets the thresholds and penalties that apply; the exact numbers depend on that statute and the facts.
Will I have to go to court in person?
Most stages of a criminal case require a court appearance, though the specific requirements depend on the charge and the court’s own procedures.
Speak With Someone Who Handles Cases Like Yours
Questions about grading, deadlines, or clearing a record are exactly what an initial conversation is for. Use the form to get matched with an attorney.
