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Wyoming, the nation’s least-populous state, dispenses justice and equity within its borders through a three-tiered court system. Circuit courts form the base of the system, district courts are the middle layer, and a supreme court presides from the top.

Wyoming Supreme Court

The Wyoming Supreme Court consists of a chief justice, presently Barton R. Voigt, and four associate justices. Each is appointed by the governor to serve an eight-year term. The chief justice is selected from among the justices themselves, and serves a four-year term in the role. 

The court serves an appellate role, hearing cases on appeal from lower courts by judging them on the prior record – along with oral arguments and written briefs – rather than by accepting new evidence, interviewing witnesses and holding a new trial.

The justices also are responsible for the administration and well-being of the court system and the law in Wyoming. The Supreme Court policies the practice of law – both by judges and by licensed attorneys – within the state. Complaints about lawyers should be directed to the Wyoming Bar Association. Complaints about judges, court officials or other staff should be directed to Carol Collins, executive director of the Commission on Judicial Conduct and Ethics.

A list of responses to frequently asked questions is available from the court’s Web site. An archive of the court’s opinions is also available online. 

Wyoming District Courts

Wyoming’s District Court system provides the state’s trial courts of general jurisdiction. A District Court venue exists in all 23 Wyoming counties, and the courts are organized into nine judicial districts. Felony criminal cases, major civil cases, juvenile matters and probation issues are all settled in District Court.

District Court judges – of which there are 21 -- can hear appeals from lower courts. Their jurisdiction is unlimited except for small claims cases and misdemeanors, which instead are handled in Circuit Court. 

District judges are appointed by the governor to serve six-year terms. They must be a licensed attorney at least 28 years of age; a United States citizen; and, a resident of Wyoming for at least the past two years.

A complete directory of Wyoming’s district courts is available online. 

Wyoming Circuit Courts 

The circuit courts in Wyoming are the state’s courts of limited jurisdiction. There is a Circuit Court in each of the state’s 23 counties. Each court has the power to hear all misdemeanor criminal cases and more minor civil litigation. Judges work as full-time employees and must be licensed attorneys.

The court’s civil jurisdiction covers cases in which the damages sought do not exceed $7,000. Other cases heard in Circuit Court include domestic violence matters and criminal misdemeanors. Circuit courts also may have the jurisdiction of a municipal court over ordinance violations if the local municipality requests such assistance with dispensing justice and if the Supreme Court consents.

Circuit courts also set bail for persons accused of a crime, and conduct preliminary hearings in felony crimes.

The geographic boundaries of the circuit courts are identical to the nine judicial districts for the District Court system. The judges are appointed by the governor to serve four-year terms. In counties that lack a resident circuit judge, full-time magistrates are appointed. These include Big Horn, Johnson, Niobrara, Platte, Washakie and Weston counties.

Some Circuit Court magistrates are considered to be part-time employees and are not required to be trained in law, but if they are learned in the law, they may conduct a private law practice, as well. A lay magistrate’s authority is limited by statute, but law-trained magistrates may perform all the duties of a full-fledged circuit judge. Lay magistrates are primarily located in the more remote areas of this sparsely populated state.

A Wyoming Circuit Court directory is available online.

United States District Court - District of Wyoming

United States Bankruptcy Court - District of Wyoming

Wyoming Supreme Court Decisions - Download PDF versions of Wyoming Supreme Court decisions.

Wyoming Law Library - Blog for opinion summaries, search statutes online and request resources.

Wyoming Self-Help Center - Access divorce and child support self-help packets as well as certified substance abuse evaluations.

Wyoming State Bar - Search the "Need to Hire a Lawyer?" database for lawyers who are members of the Bar.

Wyoming Circuit Courts - Online directory of the Circuit Courts located in the state.

Wyoming District Courts - Online link directory of the District Courts of Wyoming.

Wyoming Quick Case - Search documents relating to Wyoming cases and laws.