Property Crimes Defense in Wyoming

Wyoming Property Crime Defense Attorney

Property crime charges in Wyoming range from misdemeanors to serious felonies. Where your charge lands depends on the facts — and your defense.

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    Home » Criminal Defense » Property Crimes

    Property Crime Charges in Wyoming: What You Need to Know

    Property crime charges in Wyoming cover a wide range of conduct — from spray painting a wall to entering a building with criminal intent. What they have in common is that intent is almost always the central issue. Did you mean to do it? Did you have permission? Did you know the property wasn’t yours? These are the questions that drive property crime defenses, and they are questions an experienced attorney can work with.

    Types of Property Crime Charges in Wyoming

    Burglary under Wyo. Stat. § 6-3-301 occurs when a person enters or remains in a building without authorization and with intent to commit a crime inside. It is a felony regardless of whether the intended crime is actually committed — the intent is enough. Criminal trespass involves entering or remaining on property without permission. Destruction of property (vandalism) involves intentionally damaging or defacing another person’s property. Each of these charges has its own statutory elements, and each requires the prosecution to prove specific facts beyond a reasonable doubt.

    Penalties for Property Crimes in Wyoming

    Burglary in Wyoming is a felony carrying up to 10 years in state prison. Criminal trespass is generally a misdemeanor but can be elevated in certain circumstances. Destruction of property penalties depend on the value of the damage — minor vandalism can be a misdemeanor while significant damage can reach felony territory. In all property crime cases, courts may also order restitution, requiring the defendant to pay for damages even beyond any fines or jail time.

    How We Defend Property Crime Cases in Wyoming

    The prosecution must prove intent in most property crime cases. We challenge the evidence of intent — was there actually a criminal purpose when entering a building, or was there a misunderstanding about authorization? Was the damage accidental? We also look at how the investigation was conducted, whether evidence was obtained lawfully, and whether identification of our client as the perpetrator is actually reliable. In burglary cases in particular, the question of who was where and when is often contested, and we work to raise reasonable doubt on every element the prosecution must prove.

    Call Just Criminal Law for a free case review. Property crime cases have more defense options than many people expect.

    Related Charges We Also Defend

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    Burglary Entering with criminal intent is a felony — even if nothing was taken.
    Theft Offenses Theft and property crime charges frequently arise from the same incident.
    Destruction of Property Vandalism and property damage charges — misdemeanor to felony depending on value.
    Arson Intentional property damage by fire is treated as a serious felony in Wyoming.
    Fraud & Financial Crimes Financial crimes sometimes intersect with property crime allegations.

    Why Clients in Wyoming and South Dakota Choose Just Criminal Law

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    Our attorneys spent years working for the state before switching sides. We know exactly how prosecutors build cases and exactly where to find the holes.

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    We do not split our focus between practice areas. Every attorney, every resource, every minute is focused on one thing: your criminal defense.

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    We know the courts, the judges, and the prosecutors across Wyoming and western South Dakota. Local familiarity shapes strategy and strategy shapes outcomes.

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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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      CASE DISMISSED
      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 Property Crime Charges in Wyoming

    No. Wyoming’s burglary statute does not require breaking and entering in the traditional sense. Under Wyo. Stat. § 6-3-301, burglary occurs when a person enters or remains in a building, vehicle, or enclosed space without authorization and with intent to commit a crime inside. Walking through an unlocked door counts. Remaining in a place after your permission to be there has been revoked counts. The intent element is what makes it burglary, not the method of entry.

    Yes. Wyoming’s burglary charge is based on entry with criminal intent — the intended crime does not have to be completed. If you entered a building with the intent to steal, even if you left empty-handed, that is sufficient for a burglary charge. This surprises many people but is an important aspect of the statute that makes burglary charges both common and serious.

    The critical difference is intent. Criminal trespass is entering or remaining on property without permission — without necessarily having any intent to commit a crime while there. Burglary requires the additional element of intent to commit a crime inside. Burglary is a felony; criminal trespass is typically a misdemeanor. Prosecutors sometimes charge both and see what sticks, which is why having an attorney who understands the distinct elements of each charge matters.

    Destruction of property under Wyo. Stat. § 6-3-201 involves intentionally damaging, defacing, or destroying another person’s property. The charge level — misdemeanor or felony — depends on the dollar value of the damage. Minor graffiti or vandalism is typically a misdemeanor. Damage exceeding certain thresholds can result in felony charges. Courts also routinely order restitution on top of any criminal penalties, requiring defendants to pay for repairs or replacement.

    In some cases, yes. Wyoming allows expungement of certain criminal records after applicable waiting periods. Eligibility depends on the specific charge, whether it was a misdemeanor or felony, the sentence received, and your conduct since the conviction. Our team can evaluate your record and determine whether expungement is an option for you.

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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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    Request Your Free Property Crime Defense Consultation

    If you have been charged with property crime charges in Wyoming or South Dakota, the sooner you speak with an attorney, the more options you have. Call Just Criminal Law today for a free, confidential case review.

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