Some DUI laws in the United States are somewhat similar, but the state
of Wyoming's DUI laws are known as the toughest laws in the entire
country. Wyoming has anti-plea bargain laws that disallow any reduction
or dismissal of filed DUI charges without doing so in a court of law
due to lack of evidence.
In Wyoming driving under the influence charges are brought by the
violation of the per se law as set by Wyoming or the violation of the
state under the influence law. Wyoming's per se law states that driving
with a blood alcohol level of 0.08 percent or more is a criminal
offense. First time DUI offenses are usually not as severe as multiple
offenses and have lesser punishments.
The state of Wyoming defines driving under the influence as physically
driving a vehicle while under the impairment of alcohol or a
combination of drugs and alcohol together. Alcohol impairs judgment and
slows reaction time, which will increase the risk of accidents to the
driver, other passengers, and others on the road. Different forms of
sobriety tests will be administered by a police officer. Chemical tests
may follow, if necessary for documentation.
Blood Alcohol Content Levels
Wyoming has different percentages for how high a blood alcohol content
can be. The United States government states that no blood alcohol can
be above 0.08 percent, but each state may set other percentages. Any
driver in the state of Wyoming with a blood alcohol content over 0.08
percent will be charges with driving under the influence. Commercial
drivers are given a lower percentage of 0.04 percent for charges to
follow. Minor drivers are given the lowest level and can be charged
with driving under the influence if over the 0.02 percent level.
Prior DUI Offenses
All Wyoming DUI cases are weighed upon prior offenses. All cases where
there have been previous DUI arrests and charges will subsequently
cause harsher punishments upon conviction. Similar offenses also can be
counted as priors.
If a pending offense has yet to be convicted or dismissed and a new
charge is made, the previous charge will act as a prior, despite
pending conviction. Wyoming has a law that erases prior DUI offenses
after five years. This means that after five years a previous
conviction cannot increase the punishment of a current offense. These
laws are called look-back laws or washout laws.
Wyoming DUI Punishments
Each state has similar punishments for DUI offenses. The punishments
for a driving under the influence offense vary depending on the number
of previous offenses. Upon an arrest a police officer may retain an
individual's driver's license. First-time offenders will often receive
a fine along with restrictions to their driver's licenses and necessary
alcohol and drug education program attendance.
Community service or jail time can also be given, depending on the
circumstances of the incident. A second offense is treated the same as
multiple offenses in Wyoming. Multiple DUI offenders often receive jail
time and mandatory alcohol and drug education programs that are heavily
increased from first-time offenders. Multiple offenses can also be
punished by a car impounding, mandatory AA meeting attendance, or the
installation of a mandatory ignition interlock device.