Misdemeanor Defense Attorney in Gillette, Wyoming

Charged With a Misdemeanor in Campbell County? Here Is What You Are Facing

Under W.S. 6-10-101, a misdemeanor is any crime punishable by up to one year in jail. These cases are tried in the circuit court, not the district court. Penalties fall into two tiers:

The tier matters because it determines your exposure, your bond, and how the prosecutor values the case. Previous convictions can increase the stakes further, and a first misdemeanor is not treated the same as a third one.

Common Misdemeanor Charges in Gillette and Campbell County

• DWUI (W.S. 31-5-233) – A first offense carries up to 6 months in jail, $750 fine and a 90-day suspension of license. A second offense within 10 years adds a minimum of 7 days in jail and a third offense adds a mandatory minimum of 30 days, with no probation until served. A fourth offense within that same time period is a felony.
• Assault and battery (W.S. 6-2-501): Unwanted physical contact or causing injury. Bar disputes and family arguments are common starting points.
• Domestic battery and domestic assault (W.S. 6-2-510, 6-2-511): A conviction triggers a permanent federal firearms ban under 18 U.S.C. § 922(g)(9). For workers who hunt or carry guns for work, this is a life-changing consequence from a misdemeanor.
• Theft and shoplifting under $1,000 (W.S. 6-3-402): Under $1,000 is a misdemeanor. If the value is $1,000 or more, it becomes a felony.
• Other common charges: reckless driving (W.S. 31-5-229), disorderly conduct (W.S. 6-6-102) and minor possession (W.S. 12-6- 101). Each has its own penalties and we will walk you through the exact exposure on your first call.

How Campbell County Circuit Court Handles Misdemeanor Cases

Which Court Has Your Case

• Campbell County Circuit Court
• Gillette Municipal Court

Check your citations first. Showing up in the wrong court or missing a deadline can create a second problem on top of the first one.

The Typical Timeline

• Arrest or citation
• Initial appearance and bond
• At this stage, the judge will read the charges against you and you will be given the opportunity to enter a plea. It is important to note that you have the right to an attorney, and their presence can influence the bail and release conditions
• Approximately 30 days later, there will be a scheduling conference
• Pretrial negotiations and motions
• If the case does not settle before trial, a trial will take place
• Sentencing

The 180-Day Speedy Trial Rule

Wyoming’s speedy trial rule starts a 180-day clock from arraignment. This deadline determines how fast the state must build its case, and we follow it from day one.

The Mistake Most People Make: A Misdemeanor Is Not Minor

Wyoming does not have a “ban-the-box” law, and criminal convictions for misdemeanors are public record. Here’s what that means for Gillette:

• Background Checks: Coal operators and oilfield service companies conduct extensive background checks. A criminal conviction can prevent you from getting a job in the mining or oilfield industries before you even start.
• Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) Consequences: A DWI conviction triggers mandatory disqualification from obtaining a CDL, even if it was not in a commercial vehicle.
• Gun Ownership: A domestic violence conviction ends your right to own firearms under federal law, and no court in Wyoming can waive this restriction.
• More Consequences: Wyoming law has more than 50 other consequences that can be triggered by a criminal conviction.

Can a Wyoming Misdemeanor Be Expunged?

Sometimes, but the rules are strict. That is why it is better to fight the charge now than to wait.

• Conviction: One misdemeanor conviction can be expunged after five years, including probation. This privilege is available only once in a lifetime and does not apply to firearm-related offenses. The clock starts when the entire sentence, including probation, has been completed.
• Arrest Without Conviction: You can file a petition after 180 days have passed.
• However, the court must find that you are not a significant danger to yourself or others. Therefore, a petition is not automatic.