Drug Crime Defense

Wyoming Drug Distribution Defense Attorney

In Wyoming, drug distribution charges can lead to up to twenty years in prison, which is almost three times as long as simple possession. They also frequently rely on informant testimony and undercover operations, both of which are challengeable in ways that simple possession cases are not.

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    Home » Criminal Defense » Drug Crimes » Drug Distribution

    How Distribution Differs from Possession in Wyoming

    Possession with intent to distribute and actual distribution of a controlled substance can get you up to twenty years in prison and fines of up to $25,000 for Schedule I and II substances, according to Wyo. Stat. § 35-7-1031. The prosecution doesn’t have to prove that a sale actually happened. Instead, they can use circumstantial evidence, like the amount of drugs, the packaging, the scales, the large amounts of cash, or communications that suggest sales activity.

    This means that the prosecution’s description of the evidence often determines whether the charge goes from possession to distribution. The prosecution can change the amount of drugs that the defendant says was for personal use to distribution-level based only on weight. We contest those descriptions by analyzing the actual evidence and the appearance of similar personal use quantities.

    Informants and Undercover Operations

    In drug distribution cases, police often use undercover operations and confidential informants. In criminal law, these are some of the most difficult pieces of evidence to challenge. Informants have built-in credibility issues because they usually want to get a shorter sentence for themselves. We look at every case involving informant testimony to see if the informant was reliable, if the right steps were taken to handle them, and if their information really did show probable cause.

    How We Defend Distribution Charges in Wyoming

    Distribution defense is all about: the quantity analysis (personal use vs. distribution), the credibility of the informant and following the rules, the legality of any surveillance or controlled buy operation, keeping evidence out of court that was obtained in violation of the Fourth Amendment, and the chain of custody. We take cases of distribution very seriously and get them ready for trial when the facts support it.

    Penalty Grid
    DistributionMaximum FineInformant IssuesFederal Risk
    Up to 20 yearsUp to $25,000ChallengeblePossible at volume

    Related Charges We Also Defend

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    Aggravated Assault Serious injury, a weapon, or strangulation elevates charges to felony territory.
    Battery Physical contact that causes injury — often charged alongside assault.
    Domestic Violence When assault involves a household member, additional charges and consequences follow.
    Strangulation Wyoming treats strangulation as a separate felony — even without visible injury.
    Violent Crimes See all violent crime charges we defend in Wyoming.
    Self-Defense We build and argue self-defense claims at every stage of your case.

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      Suppression Appeal — Wyoming Supreme Court

      District Court denied motion to suppress. Wyoming Supreme Court accepted certiorari on appeal.

      Barney v. State of Wyoming — Wyoming Supreme Court

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      Reckless Endangering / Domestic Battery / Child Endangering — Wyoming

      Client charged with reckless endangering, domestic battery, and child endangering. All charges dismissed.

      State v. Quezada-Lopez — Wyoming Circuit Court

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      CASE DISMISSED
      DUI / DWUI — Wyoming

      Client charged with DUI. State unable to lay foundation for the breath test. Case dismissed.

      State v. Von Olnhausen — Wyoming Circuit Court

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      CASE DISMISSED
      Felony Child Abuse — Wyoming

      Client charged with accessory after the fact and aggravated child abuse — a felony. State unable to meet its burden of proof at preliminary hearing. Felony count dismissed.

      State v. Bullinger — Wyoming District Court

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    Frequently asked questions about drug distribution charges in Wyoming

    Prosecutors use circumstantial evidence, such as the amount of drugs (more than what a normal person would use), the fact that they were packaged in small bags, the fact that they had digital scales, large amounts of cash, cell phone records showing sales activity, and the testimony of informants or undercover officers. We dispute each of these types of evidence and put forth different reasons for what happened.

    People who work for the police often use confidential informants to buy drugs from people they think are selling them. These operations are supposed to follow strict rules for keeping records, watching over things, and keeping the chain of custody. Not following those steps makes the informant less trustworthy and calls into question the integrity of the controlled buy evidence. We look at every drug case that comes from an informant to make sure it follows the rules.

    In Wyoming, “distribution” usually means selling or giving away drugs that are illegal. Trafficking usually means more drugs and harsher punishments, sometimes even mandatory minimum sentences. The amount of a substance that is needed to charge someone with trafficking depends on the substance. In every case, we look at the specific amount that is being claimed and the law that applies.

    Yes, sometimes. When the evidence of intent to distribute isn’t strong enough or the amount is consistent with personal use, we negotiate for a lower sentence. Whether a reduction is possible depends on the specific evidence, the amount, the substance, and how the prosecution handles things in that county. Before making any recommendations, we look at all the possible outcomes for each case.

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    Wyoming Criminal Defense — Communities We Serve

    We are based in Gillette, Wyoming, and serve clients across the state and into western South Dakota. Our team knows the local courts, prosecutors, and judges in every community we serve — and that local knowledge makes a real difference in criminal defense.

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