Laramie County deputies and Cheyenne police officers arrest drivers for driving under the influence every single week along Lincolnway and Interstate 80.
In Wyoming, a drunk driving charge is officially called a driving while under the influence offense, and prosecutors treat these cases with immense severity.
If you blew into a breath testing machine at the jailhouse or had a nurse draw your blood, you are facing a state prosecution that can strip away your driver’s license and land you in a jail cell.
To give yourself the absolute best chance at beating these charges, you can reach out to Cheyenne, WY criminal defense attorneys.
1. Hire a Cheyenne DUI Defense Lawyer
The state moves incredibly fast after an arrest, and walking into the Laramie County Circuit Court on your own is a major mistake.
You might think you can just talk to the judge at your initial appearance, explain that you only had two beers at the bar, and watch them drop the whole thing.
The state has professional prosecutors working hard to convict you, and you need a professional Cheyenne criminal defense lawyer to protect your rights.
- Analyzing the Evidence – Your attorney will demand the police report and the calibration records for the specific breath machine the officers used. If the deputy did not follow proper testing protocols, your lawyer can ask the court to throw out the chemical test scores completely.
- Checking the Stop – A defense attorney checks to see if the police had a legal reason to pull your vehicle over in the first place. If the initial traffic stop violated your constitutional rights, the entire case could fall apart.
2. Request Your WYDOT Administrative Hearing Immediately
Your driver’s license does not get suspended by the judge at your criminal trial, because the licensing side of a DUI is a completely separate civil matter.
When you were released from custody, the deputy handed you a piece of paper that acts as a temporary 30-day driving permit.
You have exactly 20 days from the date of your arrest to file a written request for a contested case hearing with the Wyoming Department of Transportation.
If you miss this strict 20-day deadline, your temporary permit will expire, and WYDOT will automatically suspend your driving privileges for a full 90 days.
Your lawyer can use this administrative hearing to question the arresting officer under oath and preview the state’s evidence before the actual criminal trial begins.
3. What Happens if You Refuse the Chemical Test?
Wyoming utilizes an implied consent law, which means that using public roads means you agree to take a breath or blood test if an officer suspects you are drunk.
If you refuse to blow into the machine at the station, the police can get a warrant to draw your blood anyway.
Refusing the test triggers an automatic administrative suspension of your driver’s license for six months on a first offense.
The state will also force you to install an ignition interlock device inside your car dashboard before you can get back on the road.
The prosecutor will use your refusal in front of the jury to argue that you knew you were too drunk to pass the test.
4. Track Your Exact Court Dates and Paperwork
Missing a single appearance down at the courthouse on Carey Avenue will result in an immediate warrant for your arrest.
You need to keep every single document the jailers handed you in a secure place, like your kitchen counter or a desk folder.
- The Arraignment – This is your very first appearance where the judge reads your formal charges and asks for your plea. Your attorney can often file paperwork to skip this hearing entirely so you do not have to miss a day of work.
- Bond Conditions – The court will order you to stay completely sober while your case moves forward. You cannot enter local bars, and you might have to check in for random alcohol testing at a local clinic.
It is tempting to hop on Facebook or text your buddies to explain what happened on the night you got pulled over.
Do not do it.
Prosecutors and local detectives search through public profiles looking for statements they can use against defendants in court.
A single message telling a friend that you felt fine to drive can be twisted by the state to prove you made a reckless choice.
Even a photo of you holding a drink at a backyard barbecue weeks after your arrest can convince a judge to revoke your bail.
Keep the details of your case strictly between you and your defense team.
Find Local Defense Help for Your Case
A DUI arrest in Cheyenne can completely derail your daily life.
You are looking at a permanent criminal record, sky-high insurance rates, and potential time in a county jail cell.
Do not try to guess your way through the local court rules or assume the prosecutor will cut you a break because you have a clean record.
Reach out to a local defense attorney immediately so they can look over the police files, map out a defense plan, and fight to keep your license active.
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