Wyoming Criminal Records

A Wyoming criminal record is an official document that provides a summary of a person's interactions with the criminal justice system within the state. It typically includes details about arrests, criminal charges, court proceedings, convictions, sentences, and incarceration history. The record serves as a formal history of an individual's criminal activity as recognized by law enforcement and the courts in Wyoming.

Recent crime data for Wyoming indicates that the state records lower violent and property crime rates than national averages. The violent crime rate in the state is estimated at 191 incidents per 100,000 residents, while the property crime rate is approximated at 1,470 in the same population size.

Per the Wyoming Criminal History Record Act, the Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI) within the Office of the Attorney General is designated as the central repository for criminal history record information in the state. Law enforcement agencies across Wyoming report arrest and conviction data to DCI, which then stores and updates these records.

Are Criminal Records Public in Wyoming?

Basic criminal records are generally considered public in Wyoming following the primary laws governing access to public records in the state, the Wyoming Public Records Act. However, complete criminal history records are not public as access to such records is restricted to certain entities, including:

• The person named on the record
• Criminal justice agencies
• Government agencies authorized by federal law or executive order
• Licensing bodies are conducting background checks on applicants
• Law enforcement agencies, including fire departments and ambulance services
• The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)

How To Look Up Criminal Records in Wyoming?

Criminal history records in the state may only be obtained via fingerprint checks, as the state does not offer name-based checks. You may get fingerprinted on the standard FBI 8 x 8 BLUE applicant fingerprint card at a local law enforcement agency or at the DCI office in Cheyenne. Note that you may be required to provide a valid government-issued photo ID such as a driver's license or passport.

After completing the fingerprint card, submit it along with the appropriate fee (in the form of a certified check or money order made out to the Office of the Attorney General to the DCI office at 208 South College Drive, Cheyenne. The Division of Criminal Investigation charges $5 for fingerprinting services while state background checks cost $15. The DCI takes appointments for fingerprinting services at (307) 777-7181.

Note that an FBI background check costs $24 and is only available via agencies with authorization under Wyoming State Statutes. The processing time for criminal record requests typically takes two weeks. However, if the volume of requests before the DCI is large, the processing time may extend up to six weeks.

How To Search Wyoming Arrest Records?

Wyoming arrest records are official documents that detail an individual's apprehension by law enforcement in the state. These records are typically created when a person is taken into custody based on suspicion of involvement in criminal activity, either through a warrant or on-site arrest.

A Wyoming arrest record may contain the following details:

• Personal information such as the full name of the subject of the record, date of birth, physical description, and aliases
• Date and time of arrest
• Location of the arrest
• The name of the arresting agency
• The description of the offense or suspected crime
• The charges filed against the subject of the record, if any
• Booking information such as mugshot, fingerprint classification, and assigned inmate or booking number
• Bail or bond amounts, if applicable
• Case Status: Whether the charges are pending, dismissed, or resulted in a conviction

One of the primary ways to access arrest information in Wyoming is through the local law enforcement agency that carried out the arrest. This agency may be a city police department or a county sheriff's office. Some of these agencies accept in-person or written requests and may charge a small fee. However, some county sheriff's offices also publish recent bookings or inmate rosters on their official websites, providing arrest record information.

Alternatively, you may contact the county detention center or jail where the individual was held. These facilities often maintain their own booking logs, which may include the name of the arrested individual, the date of arrest, and the charges. You may check the website of the detention center or call their center to obtain the required arrest information.

Additionally, if an arrest led to formal charges, details of the arrest may be found in criminal court records. These may be accessed at the clerk's office of the circuit or district court where the case was filed.

How To Search Wyoming Warrants?

A warrant is a formal written instruction issued by a judge that gives law enforcement officers the legal backing to take specific actions. These actions may involve taking someone into custody, searching a location, or mandating the appearance of an individual in court. This written instruction is based on information provided under oath, usually by police officers or prosecutors, and must be approved by a court.

The following types of warrants may be issued in Wyoming:

• Arrest Warrants: These are issued when a judge believes there is enough reason to formally bring someone into custody based on alleged criminal behavior.
• Bench Warrants: Bench warrants are issued by a judge when a person fails to appear in court as scheduled or violates a court order.
• Search Warrants: These warrants allow law enforcement officers to enter a specific place, such as a home, car, or office, to look for and collect evidence related to a criminal investigation.
• Extradition Warrants: An extradition warrant may be issued if a person wanted in another state is located in Wyoming.

You may search Wyoming warrants by contacting the sheriff's office or police department in the county or city where the warrant is suspected to have been issued. Some law enforcement agencies may provide online access to active warrant lists on their websites. If online access is not available, you may be able to submit a request in person or via mail. Alternatively, if the warrant is linked to a court case, the clerk of court in the county where the case is filed may have records indicating whether a warrant has been issued. You may visit or call the office of the clerk to inquire about the warrant information you need.

Can I Obtain a Wyoming Criminal History Record of Another Person?

You may obtain another person's criminal history record if you have their written consent, including a fingerprint card completed by the subject of the record. Note that the fee for a state-only criminal history check is $15. If an FBI background check is required, the total fee is $39. Payments must be made via money order, cashier's check, certified check, or business check payable to "The Office of the Attorney General".

Submit the completed fingerprint card and the applicable fee to the DCI at 208 South College Drive, Cheyenne. Requests are typically processed within two weeks. However, it may extend to six weeks depending on the volume of requests with the DCI.

How To Expunge or Seal Wyoming Criminal Records

Expungement in Wyoming is a legal process that allows individuals to seal their criminal records from public view. Note that while expunged records are not visible to the general public, they remain accessible to law enforcement and certain government agencies. After expungement, individuals may legally state that the expunged incident did not occur, except in specific circumstances where disclosure is required by law.

Expungement may be allowed in Wyoming in the following circumstances:

• Arrests Without Conviction: Individuals arrested but not convicted may petition for expungement if:
• At least 180 days have passed since the arrest or dismissal of charges.
• No formal charges are pending.
• There were no convictions related to the arrest
• Misdemeanor Convictions: To expunge a misdemeanor conviction:
• Wait at least 5 years after completing the sentence for non-status offenses, or 1 year for status offenses.
• The offense must not have involved the use or attempted use of a firearm.
• Health care providers convicted of sexual battery against a patient are ineligible.
• Felony Convictions: For certain felony convictions:
• At least 10 years must have passed since completing the sentence, including probation.
• All court-ordered programs and restitution must be completed.
• The individual must not have any other felony convictions.
• The offense must not have involved the use of a firearm

Note that certain felonies, such as violent crimes, sexual offenses, and offenses involving child abuse, are not eligible for expungement.

To obtain expungement in Wyoming, you may follow these steps:

• Obtain Records: Gather all relevant documents, including arrest records, court dispositions, and sentencing information.
• Prepare Petition: Draft a petition for expungement, detailing the offense, dates, and reasons for seeking expungement.
• File Petition: Submit the petition to the court where the case was originally heard, along with the applicable filing fee.
• Pay the Applicable Fee: It costs $300 to file a petition for the expungement of a felony, $100 for a misdemeanor, while no filing fee applies for arrests without conviction.
• Serve Notice: Provide copies of the petition to the prosecuting attorney and the Wyoming Division of Criminal Investigation.
• Await Response: The prosecuting attorney has 30 days to file any objections.
• Court Hearing: If objections are raised, a hearing will be scheduled. If no objections are filed, the court may grant the expungement without a hearing.
• Order of Expungement: If approved, the court will issue an order to expunge the records, which will be sent to relevant agencies for processing.

What Are the Limitations to the Use of Criminal Records for Employment, Licensing, and Housing in Wyoming?

Unlike in some jurisdictions, Wyoming does not have a comprehensive state law that restricts employers from considering an applicant's criminal history during the hiring process. However, according to the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), employers' use of criminal records in hiring decisions may be considered discriminatory if it is not job-related and consistent with business necessity. Also, under the federal Fair Credit Reporting Act, employers must obtain written consent from applicants before conducting a background check and must provide specific notices if they intend to take adverse action based on the information obtained.

The state has also taken steps to limit the impact of criminal convictions on occupational licensing decisions. Under Wyoming Statute § 33-1-304, when issuing licenses, licensing entities are advised not to consider prior convictions that do not directly relate to the profession or occupation in question. Convictions older than 20 years are also not to be considered, except if the individual is still under sentence or the conviction is directly related to the duties of the profession.

Per housing, Wyoming does not have specific state laws that restrict landlords from considering an applicant's criminal history when making housing decisions. However, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) has issued guidance stating that blanket bans on renting to individuals with criminal records may violate the Federal Housing Act if they disproportionately affect certain protected classes and are not necessary to achieve a substantial, legitimate, nondiscriminatory interest.

Can I Access Wyoming Criminal Records for Free Online?

Under the Wyoming Criminal History Record Act, full criminal history records are not considered public records. Access is restricted to specific entities, including the individual named in the record, criminal justice agencies, and certain authorized organizations. Therefore, comprehensive criminal history reports are not freely accessible to the general public online.

However, you may be able to access some basic criminal history information via the online portal provided by the Wyoming Judicial Branch - Wyoming Appellate E-filing System. In addition, you may use services offered by third-party websites that aggregate public records from various sources to look up Wyoming criminal records. By using a reputable third-party service such as WyomingPublicRecords.us, you may be able to search basic Wyoming criminal records online for free.