Wyoming DWUI Defense | Free 24/7 Help: 1-844-690-0555

DWUI Defense in Wyoming — what to do right now

Do three things right now. First, find the pink temporary-license paperwork the officer gave you at your arrest — it's also your notice that WYDOT intends to suspend your license, and the 20-day clock to request a hearing starts the day it was issued. Second, do not assume the criminal court date is your only deadline; the WYDOT license suspension is a completely separate civil track. Third, before you talk to anyone else, call 1-844-690-0555. Our free AI assistant is trained on Wyoming and federal law and can explain, in plain English, exactly what your two deadlines are and what to do about each. Available 24/7, no income test, no web form.

The law in Wyoming: DWUI Defense

Wyoming's DWUI law is found at Wyoming Statutes section 31-5-233. It is illegal to drive, or to be in actual physical control of a vehicle, with a blood or breath alcohol concentration of 0.08% or more — or to be under the influence of alcohol or a controlled substance to a degree that renders you incapable of safely driving, even below 0.08%. The limit drops to 0.04% for commercial drivers, and Wyoming has a separate youthful-driver offense at W.S. 31-5-234 for anyone under 21 with a concentration of 0.02% or more. A first, second, or third DWUI is a misdemeanor heard in the Circuit Court of the county where you were stopped (there's a Circuit Court in all 23 counties).

Separately from the criminal court, the Wyoming Department of Transportation moves to suspend your license under the implied-consent law, W.S. 31-6-102. By driving on Wyoming roads you've already consented to chemical testing if lawfully arrested for DWUI. If your test reads 0.08% or higher, WYDOT pursues an administrative per se suspension. If you refuse the test, the suspension is longer — six months for a first refusal and up to 18 months for a subsequent one — and refusal alone triggers it regardless of what happens in the criminal case. You have 20 days from the notice to demand a contested-case hearing; this is the deadline that blindsides people.

Wyoming counts prior DWUIs within a rolling 10-year window. A fourth or subsequent conviction within 10 years is no longer a misdemeanor — it's a felony under W.S. 31-5-233, carrying up to seven years in the Wyoming State Penitentiary and a fine of up to $10,000, and it moves out of Circuit Court and into the District Court for your judicial district (Wyoming has nine). Because there's no intermediate Court of Appeals in Wyoming, any appeal of a felony DWUI goes straight to the five-justice Wyoming Supreme Court in Cheyenne. Knowing where you sit on that 10-year count changes everything about your case — call 1-844-690-0555 and we'll walk you through it free.

Key Statutes

W.S. 31-5-233 — DWUI; 0.08% per se limit (0.04% commercial); first through fourth-offense penalties
W.S. 31-5-234 — Youthful driver under 21 with 0.02% or more; separate offense
W.S. 31-6-102 — Implied consent; test refusal and administrative suspension
W.S. 31-7-401 through 31-7-404 — Ignition interlock device requirements

Courts & Agencies

Circuit Court (all 23 counties) — misdemeanor DWUI charges
District Court (9 judicial districts) — felony 4th-offense DWUI
Wyoming Department of Transportation (WYDOT), Driver Services — license suspension and contested-case hearings
Wyoming Supreme Court, Cheyenne — the only appellate forum (no Court of Appeals)

Deadlines & Penalties

20 days from the notice to request a WYDOT hearing ($25 non-refundable fee)
Temporary license valid 30 days; suspension auto-starts on day 30 if no hearing requested
First DWUI: up to 6 months jail, $750 fine, 90-day license suspension
Refusal: 6-month (first) to 18-month (subsequent) suspension, separate from the charge

The 20-day license clock that runs whether you win or lose

Almost everyone arrested for DWUI in Wyoming fixates on the criminal court date printed on their citation. That's the trap. WYDOT runs an entirely separate civil suspension under implied consent, and the deadline to fight it is just 20 days from the date of your notice — the paperwork handed to you at the roadside that doubles as a temporary 30-day license. If you don't request a contested-case hearing in time, the suspension starts automatically on day 30, and it sticks even if the criminal charge is later dismissed or you're acquitted. People lose their license to a deadline they never knew was running. Don't let day 20 pass in the dark. Call 1-844-690-0555 now and we'll tell you exactly how many days you have left, free, 24/7.

Likely outcomes & penalties

Every Wyoming DWUI is different, but these are realistic current ranges under W.S. 31-5-233 and the implied-consent law. Use them to understand the stakes — then call for guidance specific to your facts.

First-offense DWUI

Up to 6 months in county jail and a fine up to $750, plus a 90-day license suspension. A probationary license may be available if you have no prior DWUI in the past 5 years. Many first offenders see a negotiated or reduced outcome with the right early steps.

Second offense (within 10 years)

Same 6-month maximum but with a 7-day mandatory minimum, fines from $200 to $750, a one-year license suspension, and a one-year ignition interlock requirement regardless of BAC.

Third offense (within 10 years)

A 30-day mandatory minimum up to 6 months, fines of $750 to $3,000, a multi-year license revocation, and a two-year ignition interlock requirement.

Fourth+ offense (felony)

A fourth or subsequent DWUI within 10 years is a felony: up to 7 years in the Wyoming State Penitentiary and up to a $10,000 fine, prosecuted in District Court, with lifetime interlock eligibility.

Mistakes to avoid

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Treating the criminal court date as your only deadline and letting the silent 20-day WYDOT hearing window expire — losing your license even if the charge is later dropped.

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Assuming a chemical-test refusal protects you — in Wyoming, refusal triggers its own 6-to-18-month suspension under W.S. 31-6-102, on top of the criminal case.

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Forgetting that an aggravated reading of 0.15% or more forces a six-month ignition interlock even on a first conviction.

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Not realizing Wyoming counts priors over a rolling 10-year window — an old DWUI you've half-forgotten can push offense number four into felony territory.

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Pleading or talking to the officer or prosecutor before you understand both tracks, instead of calling 1-844-690-0555 first to learn your rights for free.

How it works

Call 1-844-690-0555 — free, 24/7. One free call, any hour, no income test and no web form. Tell us what happened at the stop and what paperwork you were handed. This is legal information, not legal advice, and it creates no attorney-client relationship.

Talk to an AI assistant trained on Wyoming law. Our assistant is trained on Wyoming statutes — W.S. 31-5-233, the implied-consent law, the interlock rules — and federal law. It explains your two deadlines, what the WYDOT hearing covers, and your options in plain English, in your language including Spanish where relevant.

Get matched with a Wyoming DWUI attorney if you want one. If your situation calls for a lawyer, we can help you book a paid consultation with a Wyoming-licensed DWUI defense attorney. That's a separate paid step you choose — the call itself is always free.

Free & low-cost DWUI Defense help in Wyoming

Legal Hotline is not a law firm and not a public defender, and these organizations are independent of us. For a Wyoming DWUI, these are the real, currently operating resources worth knowing — from the official WYDOT process to the state bar's referral programs.

WYDOT Driver Services — Driving Privilege Withdrawal

The state agency that suspends your license and holds the contested-case hearing. Its official Driving Privilege Withdrawal guidance explains the administrative per se process, the 20-day hearing-request deadline, and the $25 fee. This is the office your license fight runs through.

Wyoming State Bar Lawyer Referral Service

The official referral service of the state bar. There's no charge to receive a referral to a Wyoming-licensed attorney; some offer a free initial consultation. Useful for finding a DWUI defense lawyer. Coordinator: (307) 432-2107.

Wyoming State Bar Modest Means Program

Reduced-fee referrals for moderate-income people who earn too much for free legal aid but can't afford standard rates. Participating attorneys cap fees at $100/hour and a $1,000 retainer — helpful if you need ongoing DWUI representation. Coordinator: (307) 432-2107.

Equal Justice Wyoming / Judicial Branch Self-Help

The Wyoming Supreme Court's free legal-information program: plain-language guides, court forms, and a Self-Help Center in the Hathaway Building, 2300 Capitol Ave., Cheyenne. Call (307) 777-8383 to understand how the courts work.

Wyoming Free Legal Answers (ABA)

A free virtual clinic where qualifying users post civil legal questions online and Wyoming-licensed pro bono attorneys answer them at no cost — useful for the civil license-suspension side of a DWUI.

Wyoming Statutes (Official)

The official text of the Wyoming Statutes from the Legislature, where you can read W.S. 31-5-233, 31-5-234, and 31-6-102 for yourself rather than relying on a summary.

FAQ — DWUI Defense in Wyoming

What does DWUI actually stand for in Wyoming?

DWUI means 'driving while under the influence.' It's Wyoming's term for what most states call DUI or DWI, and it's defined in W.S. 31-5-233. Whether your charge is breath-, blood-, or impairment-based, the same statute governs. For a plain-English breakdown of your specific charge, call 1-844-690-0555 free, 24/7.

How long do I really have to save my license after a DWUI arrest?

Just 20 days from the date of your WYDOT notice to request a contested-case hearing. Your temporary license lasts 30 days, but if you don't request the hearing by day 20, the suspension starts automatically on day 30 — even if you're never convicted of the criminal charge. Call 1-844-690-0555 now and we'll confirm exactly how many days you have left.

Is the WYDOT license suspension separate from my criminal case?

Yes — completely separate. The criminal DWUI charge under W.S. 31-5-233 is heard in Circuit Court, while the license suspension is a civil action handled by the Wyoming Department of Transportation under the implied-consent law. You can win one and lose the other. Call 1-844-690-0555 to understand both tracks. This is legal information, not legal advice.

What happens if I refused the breath or blood test?

Under Wyoming's implied-consent law, W.S. 31-6-102, refusing the chemical test triggers its own license suspension — six months for a first refusal and up to 18 months for a subsequent one — separate from any DWUI conviction. Refusal does not make the case go away. To understand how refusal affects your situation, call 1-844-690-0555 free, 24/7.

What are the penalties for a first DWUI in Wyoming?

A first DWUI is a misdemeanor with up to six months in county jail, a fine up to $750, and a 90-day license suspension. If your reading was 0.15% or higher, a six-month ignition interlock is also required. Many first offenders have options to reduce the impact — call 1-844-690-0555 to learn yours for free.

When does a Wyoming DWUI become a felony?

A fourth or subsequent DWUI within a rolling 10-year period is a felony under W.S. 31-5-233, carrying up to seven years in the Wyoming State Penitentiary and up to a $10,000 fine, prosecuted in District Court. Old convictions you've forgotten can count. Call 1-844-690-0555 to find out where you stand on that 10-year count.

Can I still drive during my suspension?

Possibly. If you have no prior DWUI in the five years before your arrest, you may be able to request a probationary license from WYDOT that allows limited driving. The process and any conditions depend on your record. Call 1-844-690-0555 and we'll explain whether a probationary license may be available to you, free.

Do I have to get an ignition interlock device?

It depends. Under W.S. 31-7-401 to 31-7-404, an interlock is required for six months on a first conviction with a reading of 0.15% or higher, one year on a second offense, and two years on a third — regardless of BAC on the repeat offenses. Call 1-844-690-0555 to learn what applies in your case.

What's the BAC limit if I'm under 21 or driving commercially?

For drivers under 21, Wyoming has a separate youthful-driver offense at W.S. 31-5-234 with a 0.02% limit. For commercial drivers, the limit is 0.04% under W.S. 31-5-233. Both are below the standard 0.08%. If a lower limit applies to you, call 1-844-690-0555 for guidance specific to your situation.

Where will my DWUI case be heard?

A first, second, or third DWUI misdemeanor is heard in the Circuit Court of the county where you were stopped — there's one in all 23 counties, from Cheyenne to Jackson. A fourth-offense felony goes to the District Court for your judicial district. Call 1-844-690-0555 and we'll explain what to expect in your court.

Is Legal Hotline a law firm or a public defender?

No. Legal Hotline is not a law firm and not a public defender. We provide free legal information — not legal advice — and the call creates no attorney-client relationship. If you want a lawyer, we can help you arrange a paid consultation with a Wyoming-licensed DWUI attorney. Start with the free call: 1-844-690-0555, 24/7.

Are you a Wyoming DWUI defense attorney?

We connect frightened Wyoming drivers with licensed local DWUI defense attorneys every day — people facing the 20-day WYDOT clock, aggravated readings, and felony fourth-offense exposure. If you're a Wyoming-licensed attorney who handles DWUI and implied-consent cases and want to receive matched, ready-to-talk clients across Cheyenne, Casper, Gillette, Laramie and beyond, join our referral network. Reach us through 1-844-690-0555 to learn how it works.

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Reviewed by the Legal Hotline Editorial Team.

General legal information, not legal advice. We research every page from primary sources — legislation, the courts, and government legal-aid bodies — and check it for accuracy. Spotted something out of date? Tell us at admin@platfirm.ai.

Arrested for DWUI in Wyoming? Your License Clock Is Already Running