How Wyoming DUI courts are organised
A DUI charge in Wyoming is prosecuted in the Circuit Court that serves the county or municipality where the stop happened, not where you live. The clerk's office in that courthouse controls your hearing dates, accepts motions and continuances, and takes payment of fines and court costs. Calendars, filing hours and remote-appearance rules differ from courthouse to courthouse, so confirm them with the clerk before your first date.
Wyoming tries misdemeanor DWUI in circuit court, the limited-jurisdiction trial court sitting in each county, while felony DWUI — a fourth or later offense within the lookback period — is tried in district court. Appeals from circuit court go to district court, and the Wyoming Supreme Court is the court of last resort.
The state judiciary publishes the authoritative directory of courthouses, judges and calendars at courts.state.wy.us. Use it to confirm the address and division for your case number; local listings age quickly.
Courthouse locations, hearing calendars, clerk contacts and self-help forms.
The separate licence action, which the criminal court does not decide.
What happens at each stage in Wyoming
A DUI case in Wyoming is heard in the Circuit Court, and it runs on two tracks at once: the criminal case and a separate licence action you must challenge within 20 days of arrest.
- 1Arrest, booking and the chemical test — Officers arrest for DUI under Wyo. Stat. Ann. § 31-5-233 and request a breath, blood or urine test under Wyoming's implied-consent section, Wyo. Stat. Ann. § 31-6-102. Refusing carries its own licence penalty, separate from the criminal charge.
- 2Licence action — request a hearing within 20 days — WYDOT distinguishes a suspension, which limits the privilege, from a revocation, which terminates the licence. You have 20 days from arrest to demand the administrative hearing with Wyoming Department of Transportation, Driver Services Program; miss it and the suspension takes effect automatically, whatever happens in court.
- 3Arraignment in the Circuit Court — The charge is read, a plea is entered and conditions of release are set in the Circuit Court. Wyoming tries misdemeanor DWUI in circuit court, the limited-jurisdiction trial court sitting in each county, while felony DWUI — a fourth or later offense within the lookback period — is tried in district court.
- 4Pretrial motions and discovery — Defence counsel obtains the police report, test records and calibration or maintenance logs, and may move to suppress the stop or the test result. The Wyoming Rules of Appellate Procedure govern filing and briefing on appeal.
- 5Diversion or treatment disposition — Treatment and diversion court programmes may be available to eligible DWUI defendants.
- 6Plea or trial, then sentencing — A first DUI conviction carries a fine of $200–$750, jail exposure up to 6 months, a licence suspension of 3 months. Prior offenses within 10 years push the case into the enhanced-penalty range. A first offense is a misdemeanor with possible jail and a licence suspension.
- 7Appeal — Appeals from courts of limited jurisdiction are governed by Wyo. Stat. § 5-2-119.
- 8Reinstatement — SR-22 proof of financial responsibility is required for reinstatement after certain withdrawals, under Wyo. Stat. § 31-9-401. Wyoming requires a SR-22 certificate of financial responsibility for 3 years before the licence is restored.
Filing and case handling in Wyoming
- Circuit courts sit in all 23 counties, organised along the same boundaries as the nine judicial districts.
- Appeals from courts of limited jurisdiction are governed by Wyo. Stat. § 5-2-119.
- The Wyoming Rules of Appellate Procedure govern filing and briefing on appeal.
- Treatment and diversion court programmes may be available to eligible DWUI defendants.
Whatever the local practice, take your citation or case number to every call — clerks index by case, not by name — and get the payable amount for fines and court costs in writing before you pay.
Wyoming ZIP codes covered
These Wyoming ZIP-code pages carry the local court, filing and licensing detail for the area, and each one links back to this resource page.
Counties and cities using these Wyoming resources
Counties
Other Wyoming official resources
Frequently asked questions
- Which court handles a first DUI charge in Wyoming?
- First-offense DUI cases in Wyoming are heard in the Circuit Court for the county where the stop happened. The court clerk's office there sets the arraignment date and accepts filings.
- Does the court case decide whether I keep my licence in Wyoming?
- No. The criminal case and the administrative licence action run separately. The licence action is handled by the WY driver-licensing agency, and the request for a hearing is due within 20 days of arrest.