Jeremy Hugus

Cowboy Country Law ATTORNEY ADDRESSES THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN BEING DETAINED VS. ARRESTED

If a law enforcement officer pulled you over in Wyoming, searched your car, and placed you under arrest, you may wonder if the officer violated your rights.

Police officers have the authority to investigate crimes. However, they do not possess the power to detain you indefinitely without evidence.

You have the constitutional right to be free from unreasonable searches and seizures. Cowboy Country Law attorney Jeremy Hugus will fight hard to protect your rights.

As a highly experienced and successful criminal defense lawyer, Jeremy will review your case to see if the police violated your constitutional rights and work to develop the best defense strategy possible to help you win your case.

DETAINED VS. ARRESTED IN WYOMING EXPLAINED

Wyoming law recognizes three types of police encounters:

• Voluntary or consensual encounter;
• Investigatory detention (also called a “Terry stop”); and
• Formal arrest based on probable cause or arrest with a warrant.

A voluntary encounter means that the person was objectively free to leave. For example, if you walk up to a police officer to ask a question, the encounter is voluntary.

Similarly, if the police walk up to you and ask you a question, you are free to leave unless they have evidence that justifies their intrusion into your privacy.

WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO BE DETAINED?

Police can detain a person to investigate a violation of the law. The most common example is getting pulled over for a traffic violation.

In that situation, the officer can detain you to investigate the officer’s belief that a moving violation occurred.

A police officer needs evidence to detain a person. The evidence, under both the U.S. and Wyoming constitutions, is reasonable suspicion. If a police officer saw you run a stop sign, the officer has reasonable suspicion to stop you to give you a ticket for that infraction.

The police officer cannot detain you any longer than reasonably necessary to complete the investigation into the reason why the officer stopped you. The officer must let you be on your way once the officer finishes the traffic stop.

Good police officers understand that people often conceal contraband inside of a car. Therefore, the officer will ask questions of the driver to see if the story makes sense. You never have to answer those questions. Despite that right, many people decide to talk with the police.

The officer might ask for consent to search the car. The officer needs no reason at all to ask you if you consent to a car search. You have the right to say “no.”

Constitutional law allows police officers to detain a person longer if the officer has reasonable suspicion to believe that a crime is underway, was committed, or is about to be committed.

The officer cannot rely on just a hunch. Instead, the officer must have evidence to justify inquiring further. That could lead to a search of your car or your person.

WHEN ARE YOU ARRESTED VS. DETAINED IN WYOMING?

The difference between being detained vs. arrested is one of degree. A police officer must have either an arrest warrant or possess probable cause that you committed a crime to place you under formal arrest.

A formal arrest usually means the police put handcuffs on you, bring you back for booking and fingerprinting, read your Miranda rights, and file charges against you.

However,  a stop based on reasonable suspicion becomes an arrest without probable cause when the police detain you without enough evidence to justify their actions.

The police may have arrested you unlawfully if they:

• Detained you longer than necessary to complete their initial investigation;
• Used more force than required to protect themselves;
• Called for a large number of officers to assist with their investigation;
• Patted you down for weapons;
• Put you in handcuffs; or
• Put you in the patrol car.

The court will look at the “totality of the circumstances” to see if the police violated your rights by arresting you without probable cause. The judge may suppress all evidence seized against you, including any statements you made, if the police arrested you without probable cause.

WHAT SHOULD YOU DO IF YOU FEEL POLICE SHOULD HAVE DETAINED YOU VS. ARRESTED YOU IN WYOMING?

Cowboy Country Law lawyer Jeremy Hugus relies on his extensive courtroom experience when coming up with a winning defense strategy. With Jeremy by your side, you can rest assured knowing that he will fight aggressively to protect your rights if you were wrongly detained vs. arrested in Wyoming.

Call Jeremy and his team with Cowboy Country Law right away at 307-333-7884 to get your best defense.

Felony charges are very serious.

If you are convicted, you face not only possible time in prison, but you could also lose important civil rights like the right to vote or the ability to possess a firearm.

For many people, being convicted of a felony forever changes their lives.

At Cowboy Country Law, we represent people accused of a felony who don’t know what to do.

Some are worried that they can’t afford a criminal defense lawyer for felony charges.

Others think they might be able to handle their case on their own without any input from an attorney.

Contact us today to learn how we can help you. We are available to meet with you for a free consultation.

Unless you have some experience with getting arrested and going to jail, you might not understand the differences between bail vs. bond.

If you or someone close to you is currently in jail, you might be scrambling to get answers.

You might run internet searches asking, What is bail? Or you might search, How does bail work?

If so, you will likely find a variety of confusing and potentially contradictory information, yet few concrete answers.

To address these and other questions you might have, the criminal defense attorneys of Cowboy Country Law have put together some basic information about how to make bail. We will also explore how to get someone out of jail in Wyoming.

If you have questions about how bail works in Wyoming, contact our experienced team today to schedule a free consultation.

WHAT IS BAIL?

Upon arrest for a crime, the defendant appears before a judge. During this initial hearing, the court informs the defendant of the charges against them.

The court also informs the defendant of the potential penalties that they could face upon conviction. The judge then sets the amount of money that the defendant must pay to get out of jail. The law refers to this amount of money as bail. You must pay this amount to the court before you can be released.

The court holds your bail funds until such time as you resolve your case. Upon resolution, the court will release the money back to you, less any fines and court costs you owe.

If you can get your hands on the amount of money you need, the process is simple. If you do not have the funds available, you can explore the possibility of getting a bail bond.

WHAT IS A BAIL BOND?

Now that we have explored the concept of bail, we can get to the most pressing question at hand. What is the difference between bail vs. bond?

A bail bond, also known as an appearance bond, is a type of secured (surety) bond. This bond is essentially an insurance policy, assuring the court that the defendant will show up for their court date. To obtain a bail bond, you (or someone working on your behalf) must contact a bail bondsman.

Bail bondsmen are agents of federally registered surety companies. The bondsman, through the surety company, issues a bond to the court. This document ensures that the bondsman will post your full amount should you fail to appear in court.

In exchange for providing this assurance to the court, the bondsman charges you a fee. The typical fee is 10% of your bail amount. For example, say the judge sets your bail at $10,000.

In that case, you will likely have to pay the bail bondsman $1,000 in cash before they post your bond. This is a non-refundable fee. You might also have to pay some additional fees or costs for the bondsman’s services.

Typically, the bondsman will ask that you have a cosigner for the bond. They may even ask the cosigner to pledge an asset like their house or car as collateral.

If you fail to appear in court—known as skipping bail—the court will revoke your bail. The court will also issue a warrant for your arrest. If that happens, the cosigner must pay the full amount of your bail.

Otherwise, they must forfeit any pledged assets. You can also rest assured that the bondsman or their bounty hunter will come looking for you. Bondsmen and bounty hunters have the authority to apprehend you and return you to jail.

HOW DOES BAIL WORK IN WYOMING?

In Wyoming, posting bail works as described above once a judge sets your bail amount. However, there are some specific facts that you should know.

For example, the Wyoming bail statute states that unless the alleged crime potentially carries the death penalty, an arrested person may be admitted to bail. However, the amount of bail is at the judge’s discretion.

Wyoming law states that the courts must grant an arrested person an appearance before a judge without unnecessary delay.

The statute further states that if no judge is available at the time of arrest—and if the court has not established a bail schedule or has no authorized individual available to accept bail at that time—that person shall be released from custody upon receipt and acceptance of a written citation and promise to appear. This is known as a “citation release.”

In other words, if no one can get a judge to set bail, they must release you. If they do not release you, you can contact a criminal defense lawyer to help get you out of jail. Talking to a lawyer also makes sense because you face criminal charges.

HOW CAN A CRIMINAL DEFENSE LAWYER HELP?

If you have been arrested in Wyoming, having the assistance of a criminal defense lawyer can be invaluable. You likely have many questions and concerns on your mind, the first of which might be, How does posting bail work in Wyoming?

A Wyoming criminal defense lawyer from Cowboy Country Law can answer your questions and help you determine your next steps. We explain the charges you’re facing—as well as any potential penalties—and help you explore your options.

Having a criminal conviction on your record can negatively affect every aspect of your life. You need someone who is willing and able to fight for you, your future, and your freedom.

Call us at 307-333-7884, or contact us online to let us put our experience to work for you!

If you were charged with theft in Wyoming, you may be wondering, When does stealing become a felony? Theft charges and penalties in Wyoming vary depending on the facts of the case and the value of the stolen property. When stealing changes from a misdemeanor to a felony, the consequences can be significant.

Whether you face a misdemeanor or a felony theft, you should contact an experienced criminal defense attorney as soon as possible to ensure that you get the best outcome for your case.

THEFT CHARGE LAWS IN WYOMING

In Wyoming, a person is guilty of theft if he or she knowingly takes the property of another person with the intent to deprive that person of the property. Note that the law states the theft must be done knowingly. This means that to be charged with theft in Wyoming you must have intended to steal the property in question.

THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A MISDEMEANOR THEFT AND FELONY THEFT

Theft can be a misdemeanor or a felony, depending on the value of the stolen property as well as the underlying facts of the case. For example, if the defendant used a firearm during the theft, then it may be charged as aggravated robbery or burglary. Both charges carry harsher potential penalties than misdemeanor or felony theft.

MISDEMEANOR THEFT LAWS IN WYOMING

If the stolen property is worth less than $1,000, the theft will be charged as a misdemeanor. A misdemeanor theft is punishable by a fine of up to $750, up to 6 months in jail, or both. Examples of theft charged as misdemeanors in Wyoming include:

• Auto theft;
• Defrauding an innkeeper;
• Obtaining property by false pretenses;
• Unlawful use of theft detection shielding device;
• Breaking into a coin machine;
• Taking possession of land; and
• Telecommunications fraud.

Although these crimes commonly result in misdemeanor charges, they can be charged as felonies if the value of the stolen property exceeds $1,000.

FELONY THEFT LAWS IN WYOMING 

If the stolen property is worth $1,000 or more, the theft will be charged as a felony. Felony theft is also sometimes known as grand theft. A felony theft is punishable by a fine of up to $10,000, up to 10 years in jail, or both.

Other theft crimes that are charged as felonies in Wyoming include:

• Auto theft (may depend on the value of the stolen car);
• Carjacking;
• Robbery;
• Burglary;
• Possession of tools to commit burglary; and
• Cattle or livestock theft.

Penalties for the above offenses include up to 10 years in jail and fines of up to $10,000.

CONTACT A DEFENSE ATTORNEY TODAY 

Cowboy Country Law is a team of passionate Casper-based criminal defense attorneys. We represent defendants across Wyoming in all kinds of criminal cases. Contact us today online or by calling 307-333-7884. We will work with you to develop your case, step by step and fight for the best outcome.

Getting arrested is a stressful situation. You need to do what you can to protect your rights. Having an understanding of what to do when arrested by police could help you avoid making matters worse. Also, understanding what to do after being arrested is necessary to safeguard your best interests.

As experienced Wyoming criminal defense lawyers, our team with Cowboy Country Law aggressively represents our clients in and out of court. As seasoned criminal trial attorneys, we will develop a defense strategy with your best interests in mind.

We have all seen it in movies. A mob boss is in court facing a criminal charge. The prosecuting attorney asks a witness or the defendant a question about the alleged crime.

The only answer they receive in response is, “I plead the Fifth.” The question is left unanswered.

The accused has a smirk on their face, as though they have just gotten one over on the prosecution.

Meanwhile, the prosecuting attorney has a look of frustration on their face as their case has hit a snag.

If you are facing a criminal charge and think of one of these movie scenes, you might find yourself wondering, what is pleading the Fifth?

When can you not plead the Fifth? Or even, Is it wise to plead the Fifth?

Despite its use as a trope in courtroom dramas, most people do not understand how pleading the Fifth works in criminal proceedings.

The Wyoming criminal defense attorneys at Cowboy Country Law are prepared this piece to answer those questions and shed some light on how pleading the Fifth works in practice.

To get in touch with our experienced team, contact us online today to schedule a free consultation.

WHAT IS PLEADING THE FIFTH?

“Pleading the Fifth” refers to a situation wherein someone invokes The Constitution’s Fifth Amendment right against self-incrimination in legal proceedings.

We could spend a great deal of time unpacking the text of the Fifth Amendment into its various components, but for our purposes, there is one key element.

The Fifth Amendment protects those accused or suspected of committing criminal offenses from being “compelled in any criminal case to be a witness against himself.”

In other words, the Fifth Amendment gives accused persons “the right to remain silent.”

Defendants plead the Fifth to avoid incriminating themselves in their own trials. Additionally, witnesses testifying in someone else’s criminal trial may plead the Fifth.

People can also plead the Fifth in civil court, but our focus here is criminal law.

WHEN CAN YOU NOT PLEAD THE FIFTH?

Knowing the answer to the question, When can you not plead the Fifth? Is crucial if you are considering invoking the amendment.

There are two classes of people who can plead the Fifth in a criminal trial. First, a witness who does not want to incriminate themselves by answering a specific question can plead the Fifth.

For example, a witness might plead the Fifth if a prosecutor asks them about a drug deal that they were a part of.

In answering the question, the witness might incriminate themselves for drug possession or distribution, so they avoid answering it entirely.

A person who receives immunity or a pardon for a given criminal offense cannot invoke the right to remain silent concerning that offense.

Defendants can also invoke the Fifth Amendment to avoid testifying against themselves in a criminal trial.

Unlike witnesses, defendants cannot plead the Fifth to avoid answering specific questions. If a defendant pleads the Fifth, they cannot testify in their trial at all.

WHAT HAPPENS WHEN YOU PLEAD THE FIFTH?

Pleading the Fifth might seem like a get-out-of-jail-free card that you can use in court, but there are consequences of pleading the Fifth.

Pleading the Fifth is much more complicated than just saying the words “I plead the Fifth” and having the question go away.

You might have already thought of one issue with pleading the Fifth. You might think, If you plead the Fifth, do you not inadvertently criminalize yourself in doing so?

Or, does pleading the Fifth not signal that you are guilty of the crime in question, if not a separate crime? As with most questions in the legal field, the answer depends on the specific circumstances of the case.

Sometimes pleading the Fifth is the most prudent legal move you can make. Other times, pleading the Fifth is unnecessary and may hurt your case.

The best way to gauge the impact of pleading the Fifth is to consult with an experienced criminal defense attorney. With their expert advice, you can balance the potential risks of pleading the Fifth against the potential rewards.

YOUR SILENCE CANNOT BE USED AGAINST YOU

One thing that readers should take away from this piece is that remaining silent cannot be used against you in court.

You may think that pleading the Fifth inadvertently indicates the guilt of a crime. After all, by pleading the Fifth, you all but admit guilt with respect to a crime.

While this may be a reasonable assumption, it is unconstitutional for juries, judges, or prosecutors to use your silence against you as evidence of guilt.

If prosecutors could infer guilt on the basis of silence alone, it would undermine the purpose of the Fifth Amendment.

CONTACT A WYOMING CRIMINAL DEFENSE LAWYER TODAY

Whether you are facing a witness subpoena or a criminal charge, if you think you might need to plead the Fifth, don’t go through with it without consulting with an experienced criminal defense attorney.

Instead, get in touch with our knowledgeable team of criminal defense attorneys at Cowboy Country Law.

At our firm, we believe in giving power to the people. Our founder, Jeremy Hugus, believes that everyone deserves a fair trial. If you are considering pleading the Fifth, don’t wait until the day before your court date.

Call us at 307-333-7884 or contact us online today and tell us how we can help!

Most people are familiar with breathalyzer tests, even if they’ve never had to take one. A breathalyzer test is a device police officers use to estimate a driver’s blood alcohol content (BAC).

There are two types of breathalyzer tests. Police officers use portable breath tests (PBTs) in their patrol vehicles during DUI traffic stops. There are also larger, more accurate breathalyzer machines at the police station.

Typically, when an officer suspects someone is under the influence of alcohol, they will administer a PBT. If the PBT result indicates the driver is likely intoxicated, the officer usually arrests them.

Then, the officer transports them to the police station and performs another test on the more accurate breathalyzer. Police may also request a blood draw, depending on the circumstances.

While breathalyzers can, in some situations, return fairly accurate results, there are also some common problems that lead to breathalyzer false positives.

What Can Lead to a Breathalyzer False Positive?

When discussing what can cause a false positive breathalyzer test, there are a few important things to consider. First, breathalyzers do not actually measure a driver’s blood alcohol content.

State law prohibits people from driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol. In the case of alcohol, it is considered drunk driving to operate a vehicle with a blood alcohol content of .08% or greater.

Breathalyzer tests work by measuring the amount of alcohol in the exhaled air from a driver’s lungs. The machine then uses this data to estimate the driver’s blood alcohol content. Given this reality, there are a few issues that can cause breathalyzer false positives.

THE PRESENCE OF RESIDUAL MOUTH ALCOHOL

A breathalyzer is supposed to measure the amount of alcohol in the air exhaled from within your lungs. But your breath contains air from your mouth as well as your lungs.

Most of the time, the presence of alcohol on your breath is an indication that you consumed alcohol. But certain things can create a false positive breathalyzer reading because they increase the amount of alcohol that is present and lingering in the mouth.

If you recently took medications or consumed certain foods, your breath may indicate the presence of alcohol even if you have not had a drink. Or this lingering, residual mouth alcohol can falsely increase your BAC reading. The following foods and medications may cause a false positive breathalyzer result:

• Nyquil and other cough medications;
• Sugar-free gum;
• Kombucha or other fermented beverages;
• Ripe fruit;
• Some types of bread; and
• Energy drinks.

Also, those with dental work like crowns and bridges may experience even higher rates of false-positive tests. This is due to alcohol getting trapped in small crevices within the dental work. If the police asked you to take a breath test and you failed although you were not drinking, it may be due to a false positive related to residual mouth alcohol.

IMPROPER CALIBRATION

Breathalyzer devices are complex machines that require police officers to perform routine maintenance. If a breathalyzer is not properly maintained, it can provide inaccurate results.

While police departments train officers on how to calibrate breathalyzers, officers often forget to perform this routine maintenance and proper calibration of the device.

Suppressing Evidence After a Breathalyzer False Positive

Police officers must have probable cause before arresting you for a DUI offense. To establish probable cause, an officer can rely on a properly administered breath test in conjunction with their observations of intoxication.

However, if the breathalyzer results are later called into question, it may result in the suppression of evidence. In other words, if the breathalyzer provided a false positive, officers cannot rely on the result to establish probable cause.

This means that the breath test results, the officer’s observations of intoxication, and any physical evidence they recovered after your arrest may be inadmissible at trial.

If a court excludes evidence the prosecution needed to prove their case, they may have no choice but to withdraw the charges against you. An experienced Wyoming criminal defense attorney knows exactly when and how to present a motion to suppress evidence.

Are You Facing a Wyoming DUI Charge?

If police recently arrested and charged you with a Wyoming DUI, reach out to Cowboy Country Law to schedule a free case evaluation. A DUI conviction can have a lasting impact on your life and may threaten everything you’ve worked so hard for.

Our Wyoming criminal defense attorneys aggressively defend the rights of clients facing all types of serious crimes, including drunk driving offenses. We command an in-depth understanding of the science behind breathalyzer tests and use this knowledge to keep false-positive tests from being used as evidence.

When you bring Cowboy Country Law onto your legal team, you can rest assured that your case, your future, and your freedom are in good hands.

To learn more, and to schedule a free consultation with a Wyoming DUI lawyer, give us a call at 307-333-7884. You can also reach us through our online form, and one of our attorneys will be in touch.

As awareness of human tracking continues to increase, prosecutors across Wyoming are adopting a more laid-back approach to prosecuting some prostitution offenses.

However, those arrested for soliciting a prostitute are not among those receiving the benefit of this new approach.

In Wyoming, it remains a misdemeanor to solicit a prostitute. A conviction for soliciting a prostitute can carry many serious and potentially lifelong consequences, including the requirement to register as a sex offender.

What Is Soliciting a Prostitute?

In Wyoming, there are three crimes related to prostitution.

Prostitution, as defined by Wyoming Statutes Section 6-4-101, occurs when a person “knowingly or intentionally performs or permits, or offers or agrees to perform or permit an act of sexual intrusion… for money or other property.”

Wyoming Statutes Section 6-4-102 outlines the offense of solicitation of prostitution. The statute explains that soliciting a prostitute involves knowingly or intentionally paying, or offering or agreeing to pay money or other property to another person” with the intent of having them perform a sex act.

Importantly, there is no requirement that you exchange money or even have an explicit agreement. Courts look to the surrounding facts to determine whether there are “circumstances strongly corroborative” of a person’s intent to solicit a prostitute.

Both prostitution and soliciting a prostitute are misdemeanor offenses. In each case, a conviction carries a maximum punishment of six months in jail and a fine of up to $750.

The most serious prostitution offense in Wyoming, aside from human trafficking, is promoting prostitution. Promoting prostitution involves any of the following actions:

• Enticing or compelling another person to become a prostitute;
• Offering to obtain a prostitute for another person;
• Operating any location used for the purposes of prostitution; and
• Receiving money from a prostitute, knowing it was earned through prostitution.

Promoting prostitution is a felony, which carries a maximum punishment of three years in jail and a fine of not more than $3,000, or both. However, if you promote the prostitution of a person under 18 years old, the crime is punishable by a maximum of five years in jail and a fine of $5,000, or both.

Both the solicitation of a prostitute and the promotion of prostitution are registerable sex offenses in Wyoming if the person solicited was a minor under the age of 18.

If you face charges related to the solicitation of a prostitute in Wyoming, there are a few important defenses. A dedicated Wyoming prostitution lawyer can help you better understand the allegations against you and what defenses are available in your case.

Defenses to Soliciting a Prostitute Charges

A court cannot convict you of soliciting a prostitute unless the prosecution proves beyond a reasonable doubt that you intended to induce another to perform a sex act. Most often, solicitation cases are based on an undercover operation conducted by police officers. For example, a police officer may wait on the street pretending to be a prostitute.

While police officers are allowed to do this, they cannot convince you to commit a crime. This is called entrapment, and it is a legal defense to soliciting a prostitute. Thus, if an undercover officer approaches you asking if you are interested in paying them to commit a sex act, you may have a defense to any solicitation charges.

Another common defense to prostitution charges involves attacking the sufficiency of the evidence against you. The line between innocent flirting and soliciting a prostitute can be a thin one. In most solicitation cases, there is no exchange of money.

There may not even be an explicit agreement. Often, prosecutors’ evidence consists of vague statements that may show your intent to hire a prostitute. However, there may be another, non-criminal interpretation of your words that are just as likely true.

Essentially, by attacking the sufficiency of the prosecution’s evidence, you argue that the government cannot prove beyond a reasonable doubt that you actually intended to hire a prostitute.

Are You Facing Solicitation Charges in Wyoming?

If you face Wyoming prostitution charges, contact the dedicated criminal defense lawyers at Cowboy Country Law. Cowboy Country Law is a boutique criminal defense law firm based in Casper, Wyoming.

We represent clients charged with all types of prostitution offenses and other crimes, including sex offenses. We recognize that these cases involve more than your reputation and we do everything possible to secure the best result in every case.

As skilled negotiators, we are often able to secure favorable non-trial resolutions to our clients’ cases. However, with significant courtroom experience, we are equally prepared to fight you before the judge or jury. To learn more, and to schedule a free consultation with a dedicated

Wyoming criminal defense lawyer at Cowboy Country Law, give us a call at 307-333-7884 today. You can also reach us through our online form, and we will be in touch shortly. We look forward to serving you.

Under Wyoming law, if a person commits certain sexual offenses, they must register on Wyoming’s sexual offender registry.

The sex offender registry is a public database that contains a list of all sex offenders residing in Wyoming required to register with the state.

If you are convicted of a sexual offense or have questions about sex offender registration, you should contact a qualified Wyoming criminal defense attorney right away.

WHO MUST REGISTER FOR WYOMING’S SEX OFFENDER REGISTRY?

Under Wyoming Statute 7-19-302, any sex offender residing, attending school, or working in Wyoming must register with the Sheriff in the county where they reside.

Registrable sexual offenses include any of the offenses listed in the statute, such as:

• Sexual abuse of a minor,
• Possession of child pornography,
• Taking obscene photos or videos of a child,
• Sexual assault of a minor,
• Soliciting sexual relations with a minor, and
• Sexual exploitation of a minor.

Sex offenders must also register for certain federal offenses or sexual offenses in other states that are similar to those under Wyoming law.

WHAT DOES SEX OFFENDER REGISTRATION LOOK LIKE?

If someone is convicted of one of the registerable sexual offenses, they must immediately register with the Sheriff’s department in the county where they reside.

Individuals arrested and confined for a sexual offense in Wyoming after July 1, 1999, and sentenced after January 1, 1985, must register before being released from custody.

If the person is arrested but not required to serve any jail time, they must register immediately after sentencing. If a person convicted of a registerable offense enters Wyoming, the offender must register with the county within three days of arrival in the state.

To register, the offender must be:

• Photographed,
• Fingerprinted, and
• Palmprinted.

The offender must also provide the following information to the Sheriff’s office:

• Name,
• Address,
• Date and place of birth,
• Social security number,
• Place and physical address of employment,
• Date and place of conviction,
• Crime for which they were convicted,
• The name and address of any school they are attending,
• License plate number and a description of the vehicle,
• A DNA sample,
• The age of each victim,
• Email address, and
• Phone numbers.

If the offender changes their address, they must notify the law enforcement agency in the new county within three days of moving. In addition, the offender must notify law enforcement if they plan to leave the country, and they must provide a travel itinerary.

WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO BE REGISTERED?

If someone registers on Wyoming’s sex offender registry, any member of the public can access their registered information, including the offender’s:

• Name,
• Physical address,
• Date and place of birth,
• Crime for which he was convicted,
• Photograph,
• Physical characteristics,
• Employer’s address, and
• School address.

For certain offenses, the law enforcement agency must provide notice of the registration to any neighbors who live within at least 750 feet of the offender’s residence. Schools, religious organizations, and youth groups within 750 feet must also receive notice.

WHAT HAPPENS IF SOMEONE DOESN’T REGISTER?

Failing to register as a Wyoming sex offender carries serious penalties, including large fines and jail time.

A person who knowingly fails to register as a sex offender faces punishment, including:

• Fines of up to $1,000 and
• Up to five years in prison.

A second offense includes:

• Fines up to $1,000 and
• Up to ten years in prison.

Failing to pay required fees is also punishable as a misdemeanor with penalties including a $750 fine and up to six months in county jail.

HOW CAN I GET OFF THE SEX OFFENDER REGISTRY?

If someone is convicted of a registerable sex offense, normally, the offender must register on Wyoming’s sex offender registry for the rest of their life.

However, under some circumstances, Wyoming law allows registered sex offenders to petition the court to remove their name from the sex offender registry.

For less serious sexual offenses, such as third-degree sexual abuse of a minor or possession of child pornography, an offender could remove their name from the registry if the offender:

• Has been registered for at least ten years, and
• Has maintained a clean record by avoiding arrest and completing all required probation and parole.

For more serious sexual offenses, such as sexual assault or first-degree sexual abuse of a minor, the offender can request to remove their name if the offender:

• Has been registered for at least 25 years and
• Has maintained a clean record for all 25 years.

The court will review the facts and decide whether to grant the sex offender’s petition.

HOW A CRIMINAL DEFENSE ATTORNEY CAN HELP

If you qualify to remove your name from the sex offender registry, you must go through a complicated petition process with the court.

Before you can file a petition, you must:

• Serve the petition to the court and the prosecuting attorney,
• Prove your registration for the required time period,
• Prove your clean record, and
• Defend your petition if the prosecutor files a response.

If the prosecutor files a response, the judge will hold a hearing to decide your case. These hearings require specialized knowledge of the law and familiarity with legal theory and argument.

If you lack legal experience, this can be a daunting and stressful experience. A qualified Wyoming defense attorney can help alleviate that stress and increase the likelihood that the judge will approve your petition.

CONTACT A QUALIFIED WYOMING CRIMINAL DEFENSE ATTORNEY TODAY

The attorneys at Cowboy Country Law fight aggressively for our client’s interests. We understand how painful and harmful sex offender registration can be. We will provide you strong legal representation and work to protect your interests.

Our experienced sex crimes staff will answer your questions and guide you every step of the way. For a free consultation, contact our offices or call at 307-333-7884 today to get started.

Drug offenses are some of the most common criminal cases in Wyoming. A conviction for a drug crime can result in a broad range of criminal and collateral consequences.

Many of these have a major impact on your life. Even if you are able to avoid the most serious consequences of a drug conviction, you may be wondering if the conviction may still have a lifelong impact on certain rights, including your right to own a gun.

Under Wyoming law, a drug possession or drug paraphernalia charge or conviction will not prevent you from owning a gun. However, other convictions may restrict your ability to own a gun.

Wyoming Gun Laws

Gun ownership is not only common in Wyoming—it’s a part of the state’s history. As a result, Wyoming is known as a gun-friendly state. Compared to many other states, Wyoming imposes few restrictions on a person’s ability to purchase, own, and use a firearm.

However, Wyoming’s gun laws are far less favorable for those who have certain convictions on their drug charge record.

To carry a concealed weapon, you must have a concealed carry permit. Failure to obtain a permit can result in misdemeanor charges carrying up to six months in jail and a fine of up to $750, or both. However, Wyoming is a “shall issue” state.

This means that when you apply for a concealed carry permit, the state must honor your request, assuming you qualify and there is no reason for denial. This makes Wyoming gun laws among the most favorable in the nation for prospective gun owners.

Can You Have a Gun if You Have a Drug Possession Charge?

Despite the state’s relatively lax gun laws, Wyoming prevents people who have certain convictions from purchasing or owning a gun. Under Wyoming Statutes section 6-8-102, anyone who has a conviction for a “violent felony” cannot own a gun.

Similarly, if you have a conviction for assaulting or attempting to assault a police officer you cannot legally own a gun. The punishment for using or knowingly possessing a gun in this situation is a jail sentence of up to three years and a fine of up to $5,000, or both.

In most situations, a drug possession charge is not considered a violent crime. Thus, a drug possession charge would not prevent you from owning a gun under Wyoming law.

However, there are situations in which a drug conviction may result in you being ineligible to own a gun under federal law.

Federal Gun Laws for Those With a Drug Possession Charge

When it comes to the interaction between state and federal law, federal law provides a “floor,” and states, for the most part, are able to provide additional protections to residents.

However, they cannot provide fewer protections. This is exactly the case in Wyoming because, under federal law, it is illegal for anyone “who is an unlawful user of or addicted to any controlled substance” to own a gun.

This means that under federal law, you may not be able to legally own a gun if you have a drug conviction or are currently a drug user. However, Wyoming laws do not contain the same restriction and only limit people with certain violent felony convictions from owning a gun.

The Bottom Line

While there is a federal law prohibiting drug users from owning or using a gun, this particular law is challenging to enforce. In part, this is because there is a difference between having a drug possession conviction and being an active user.

In other words, just having a drug possession charge on your record will not disqualify you. Instead, the government would need to show that you were an active drug user. The result is that, in practice, prosecutions of this type are rare.

That said, if you are on probation for a drug offense, the judge may restrict your right to own or use firearms as a condition of probation. Thus, while you would not be ineligible to own a gun forever, it could impact your gun ownership rights while you are on probation.

Are You Facing Wyoming Drug or Gun Charges?

Both gun and drug charges are taken very seriously in Wyoming. If you are charged with a Wyoming gun crime or drug offense, reach out to Cowboy Country Law. Our experienced team of lawyers has extensive experience protecting our clients’ rights, including their Second Amendment right to bear arms.

We understand the importance of gun ownership and do everything possible to preserve your rights, regardless of the allegations. To learn more, and to schedule a free consultation with a Wyoming criminal defense lawyer, call 307-333-7884 today. You can also reach us through our online form, and one of our attorneys will reach out to you shortly.