Court Info

The District and Circuit Courts in Wyoming are state courts that handle cases involving claims under state or federal laws or regulations.

The District Courts are trial courts of general jurisdiction. A court of general jurisdiction is one that has the authority to hear all kinds of cases: criminal, civil, family, probate, and so on. The types of cases in Wyoming’s District Courts are unlimited, except for smaller cases like civil claims under $50,000, small claims, and misdemeanors, which go to the Circuit Courts.

There are 23 district courts, one in each county, divided into 9 judicial districts. Click here for the District Court Directory.

What types of cases are handled in the District Courts?

Family
  • Child custody
  • Child support
  • Divorce
  • Paternity
Civil
  • Cases where the amount is over $50,000
  • Cases involving real property
  • Claims against the government
  • Injunctions
  • Name changes
Probate
  • Conservatorships
  • Estates
  • Guardianships
  • Wills
Criminal
  • Felony criminal charges where the punishment is greater than one year of incarceration
Juvenile (All cases are confidential)
  • Abuse
  • Child in need of supervision (CHINS)
  • Neglect
  • Delinquency
Adoption (All cases are confidential)
  • Adoption
  • Confidential Adoption Intermediaries. These cases allow birth siblings and/or birth parents to search for children who were adopted, or adopted children to search for their birth siblings and/or parents.
Appeals from:
  • Circuit Courts
  • Municipal Courts
  • Agency decisions (Workers Compensation, License boards, etc.)
The Circuit Courts are trial courts of limited jurisdiction. A court of limited jurisdiction is one that has the authority to hear only certain kinds of cases. The types of cases in Wyoming’s Circuit Courts are limited to smaller cases like civil claims under $50,000, small claims, and misdemeanors.

The boundaries for the circuit courts are the same as for the district courts. There are 23 circuit courts, divided into 9 judicial districts. Click here for the Circuit Court Directory.

What types of cases are handled in the Circuit Courts?

Civil Cases
  • Protection Orders
  • Small Claims Cases up to $6,000 (attorneys are not necessary)
  • Forcible Entry and Detainer (Eviction)
  • Claims up to the $50,000 (attorneys are generally necessary). Claims over $50,000 must be filed in District Court.
Misdemeanor Cases
  • Low misdemeanors, punishable by a maximum of six months in jail and/or a fine of $750.
  • Felonies and High Misdemeanors through the preliminary hearing. Cases are then sent to District Court for trial.
Citations
  • Citations issued by: Wyoming Highway Patrol, Wyoming Game & Fish Department, county sheriff`s offices, and sometimes city police departments.
DWUI cases
  • Driving While Under the Influence.
Information about Juvenile Court (abuse and neglect, delinquency proceedings), including publications for parents and children can be found here.

Information about the U.S. Bankruptcy Court in Wyoming can be found here.

Information about the U.S. District Court in Wyoming can be found here.

Information about the Wind River Tribal Court can be found here.

Municipal courts are trial courts that deal exclusively with cases involving city ordinance violations. Information about Municipal Courts can be found here, on your local city website, or by contacting your local city offices.