What are Wyoming Traffic Court Records?

Wyoming traffic court records contain cases adjudicated under the state's traffic laws, statutes, and ordinances. They also include the legal documents and case files created due to these proceedings.

Are Wyoming Traffic Court Records Public Records?

Wyoming traffic court records are classified as public records, as members of the public can submit requests to view them.

Which Wyoming Courts Have Jurisdiction Over Traffic Violation Matters?

The court with jurisdiction over a Wyoming traffic ticket depends on the agency that issued it. Suppose the Municipal/City Police issued the ticket. In that case, the Municipal Court has jurisdiction, and if the ticket was issued by the Sheriff's Department or Wyoming Highway Patrol, the Circuit Court has jurisdiction.

Wyoming Traffic Ticket Lookup

The Wyoming Judicial Branch provides a case management system known as Wyoming Public Access to Court Electronic Records (PACER) and, in some counties, dedicated online portals for traffic ticket inquiries. Where online access is unavailable, ticket holders must verify information directly with the court clerk. Details typically accessible include the citation number, date of the alleged offense, court location, fines owed, and whether a court appearance is mandatory.

Depending on the county, payments can often be made online, by mail, or in person. If a ticket is ignored, the court may impose additional penalties, including late fees, driver's license suspension, or the issuance of a bench warrant. For statewide inquiries, the Wyoming Department of Transportation (WYDOT), Driver Services Program, may also provide information on tickets affecting driving privileges.

Getting a Traffic Ticket in Wyoming

A Wyoming traffic ticket or Complaint is a legal document issued for the citation of traffic violations by a law enforcement officer in Wyoming. It can be issued by an officer of a Municipal Police Department, Sheriff's Department, or State Highway Patrol. It represents an attestation of the officer about the alleged incident. The officer shall fill it out and may include information about the defendant and the vehicle involved in the incident. The ticket may contain the defendant's full name, current address, and relevant physical characteristics such as height, weight, sex, and race. It also details the defendant's driver's license and the vehicle involved.

The officer may indicate the location of the incident, including the date and time. The offense alleged to have been committed, including serious charges such as felony overspeeding in Wyoming, and the corresponding statute section and code, may also be included in the ticket. The total fine amount due is usually indicated on the ticket. The court with jurisdiction over the case may be indicated. The ticket may also indicate if the offender is expected to make a court appearance or if the offender can pay a bond instead of a court appearance. If a bond can be paid, the amount may be indicated. The officer may include name, badge number, and agency on the ticket. Instructions for responding to the ticket may be included on the reverse of the ticket.

In Wyoming, most cities and towns have municipal traffic violation codes, so fines may vary from municipal court to municipal court, but are uniform for counties and by violation. Wyoming traffic tickets may be responded to on or before the date indicated on the ticket. Wyoming traffic violations and infractions are typically infractions or misdemeanors, depending on the severity of the offense. Most moving violations are considered to be misdemeanors.

Wyoming does not employ a points-based system for driver records. Convictions for moving violations are reported to the Wyoming Department of Transport (DoT) and recorded against a driver. If a driver receives four moving violations within 12 months, the driver's license may be suspended for 90 days. Each subsequent violation carries an additional 90 days.

Traffic violations are classified as moving or non-moving violations. Moving violations are offenses committed by a vehicle in motion, such as reckless driving or DWIs. These are serious traffic offenses; convictions are reported and may appear on a driver's record. Non-moving violations are offenses committed when vehicles are not in motion, such as parking violations or illegal modifications to a car. These are lesser offenses that may not be reported or appear on a driver's record.

What to Do When You Get a Traffic Ticket in Wyoming?

Upon receiving a Wyoming traffic ticket, a response can be made to the ticket on or before the date indicated on the ticket, or the defendant risks added penalties, including an arrest warrant being issued. The agency that issued the ticket dictates which court the response may be made to; tickets issued by municipal/city police are heard in Municipal Court, while tickets issued by the Sheriff's Department or Wyoming Highway Patrol are heard in Circuit Court. The appropriate court may be indicated on the ticket. When responding, the defendant can choose to:

• Pay the traffic ticket
• Contest the Ticket

Choosing to pay the ticket is a Guilty plea and may be recorded as a conviction by the court. Depending on the court that hears the case, tickets can be paid.

• Online: If the ticket requires a response to a Circuit Court, it can be paid with the state's citation payment system. If a municipal court requires a response, the defendant may need to check the municipal website for online payment options.
• By Mail: Circuit Court payments can be mailed to the Circuit Court indicated on the ticket, along with a completed copy of the ticket and the total fine amount. Municipal Court payments can be mailed to the Municipal Court indicated on the ticket.
• In-Person: In-person payments can be made by visiting the Court (Circuit or Municipal) indicated on the ticket during office hours.

Payments may be made on or before the court date indicated on the ticket to avoid additional repercussions.

Contesting a Traffic Ticket in Wyoming

Choosing to contest the ticket is an exercise of the defendant's right to a trial. The defendant must enter a Not Guilty plea with the appropriate court. The plea should be entered on or before the court date indicated on the ticket. The plea can be entered by mailing the completed citation copy to the court, appearing on the date, or entering the plea in person. After the plea has been received and accepted, a date may be assigned for the pre-trial conference- at the court's discretion and not usually assigned for lesser offenses- or trial.

Wyoming Driving Record Check

The Wyoming Department of Transportation (WYDOT), Driver Services Program, maintains official driving records. These records document licensing history, convictions, accidents, suspensions, revocations, and points assessments. Certified records are issued for employment, insurance, and legal use.

The fee for a Wyoming driving record is $5.00. Requests may be submitted by mail using the Wyoming Form DR-101, Driver Record Request., in person at a Driver Services office, or through the WYDOT Records Section. Payment must be made by check or money order for mailed applications.

Mail requests should be sent to:

Wyoming Department of Transportation
Driver Services – Driving Records
5300 Bishop Boulevard
Cheyenne, WY 82009-3340

Obtaining Another Person's Driving Record

Wyoming requires either the written authorization of the driver or proof of a permissible statutory purpose before releasing another person's record. The Driver Record Request Form DR-101 must be completed, and disclosure is limited to insurers, attorneys, employers, government agencies, or other parties authorized by law. Without such justification, the record cannot be released.

Free DMV Driving Records in Wyoming

Wyoming does not issue certified driver records without charge. The $5 fee applies to all official abstracts, whether ordered by mail, in person, or through the Driver Services program. Only certified records issued by WYDOT are recognized as official; no waiver or complimentary issuance is permitted under state law.

What to Expect in a Wyoming Traffic Court

If a pre-trial conference is scheduled, the defendant may have the opportunity to meet with a prosecutor to work out a plea agreement, which usually necessitates the defendant pleading guilty to a lesser charge. The case proceeds to trial if the defendant cannot reach a plea agreement with the prosecutor. At the trial, the judge may hear arguments from both sides, review any evidence presented, and listen to witnesses. After the trial, the judge may render a verdict. If the defendant is found guilty, the court may impose the sentence, and the defendant becomes liable for the fines and penalties awarded. A report of the conviction may be sent to the DoT and noted on the driver's record. Based on the nature of the offense, this could lead to a license suspension. If the verdict is Not Guilty, the case is dismissed and the defendant is freed from the charges.

If the offense requires a court appearance, the defendant should appear on the scheduled day regardless of the plea to be entered. Failure to attend any scheduled court date could result in an arrest warrant being issued, additional fines, or a license suspension. Be sure to reschedule any inconvenient date with the court.

How Do I Find Wyoming Traffic Court Records?

Wyoming traffic court records are available in the courts where the records are located and can be accessed by submitting a request to the appropriate Clerk of the Court. If the case was heard in Circuit Court, then the request may be forwarded to the Clerk of the Circuit Court (where the case was heard), and if the case was heard in Municipal Court, the request may be submitted to the Clerk of the Municipal Court. If the requester requires the court to search for the records and send them, then there may be an applicable fee. No fee is required if the requester visits the court and searches for the records unless copies are needed.

Additionally, publicly available records are accessible from some third-party websites. These websites offer the benefit of not being limited by geographical record availability and can often serve as a starting point when researching specific or multiple records. To find a record using the search engines on these sites, interested parties may be required to provide:

• The name of someone involved, provided it is not a juvenile
• The assumed location of the record in question, such as a city, county, or state name

Third-party sites are not government-sponsored websites; record availability may differ from official channels.

What Information is Required to Obtain Wyoming Traffic Court Records?

The name on the record and/or the case or citation number may be required to obtain Wyoming traffic records. The party requesting the record might need to provide valid and state-approved identification before taking possession of the documents. If copies are required, there may be applicable fees.

Can Wyoming Traffic Records be Sealed or Expunged?

In Wyoming, a person can petition to expunge a first-time misdemeanor conviction if the sentencing terms and requirements have been fulfilled and 5 years have passed since the completion of the sentence. Only non-violent felonies in which the judge granted a deferred sentence can be petitioned for expungement. DUI convictions can be petitioned for expungement only if the judge granted a deferred judgment.

How Does One End up in a Wyoming Traffic court?

When issued a Wyoming traffic citation, one ends up in Wyoming traffic court, and the ticket is marked "Must Appear", indicating a mandatory court appearance. One can also end up in traffic court if the ticket does not require a mandatory court appearance, but the person wishes to plead Not Guilty to the charges.

How to Prepare for Traffic Court in Wyoming

Traffic court in Wyoming operates within the state's circuit court system, governed by Title 31 of the Wyoming Statutes. One unique aspect of preparing for traffic court in Wyoming is the availability of a driver improvement program for individuals with multiple traffic violations. This program allows eligible individuals to complete a defensive driving course in exchange for reducing the number of points on their driving record. Understanding the eligibility criteria and process for participating in the driver improvement program can be important for defendants seeking to maintain a clean driving record in Wyoming.