HB0051 Municipal courts-maximum penalties. | Wyoming Bill

Plain English Breakdown

Checked against official source text during the last sync.

Increasing Penalties for Municipal Court Violations

The bill increases the maximum fines and imprisonment terms that municipal courts can impose for ordinance violations.

What This Bill Does

Raises the maximum fine from $750 to $1,000 for each violation of city ordinances.

Increases the maximum term of imprisonment from six months to one year for each offense under city ordinances.

Updates three sections of Wyoming law (W.S. 5-6-201(a), W.S. 5-6-210(a), and W.S. 5-6-301(a)) to reflect the new penalties.

Who It Names or Affects

People who violate city ordinances in Wyoming.

Municipal courts in Wyoming that handle ordinance violations.

Terms To Know

Ordinance

A rule or law made by a local government, like a city council, to manage the community.

Municipal court

A court that handles cases involving violations of local laws and ordinances in cities or towns.

Limits and Unknowns

The bill did not pass during its session.

It would have taken effect on July 1, 2025, if passed.

Bill History

2025-01-22 House

H COW:Failed 21-38-3-0-0

2025-01-20 House

H Placed on General File

2025-01-20 House

H01 - Judiciary:Recommend Do Pass 6-3-0-0-0

2025-01-17 House

H Introduced and Referred to H01 - Judiciary

2025-01-02 House

H Received for Introduction

2024-12-17 LSO

Bill Number Assigned

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text

25LSO-0218
2025
STATE OF WYOMING
25LSO-0218
Numbered
2.0

HOUSE BILL NO. HB0051

Municipal courts-maximum penalties.

Sponsored by: Joint Judiciary Interim Committee

A BILL

for

AN ACT relating to courts; increasing the maximum fines and terms of imprisonment that municipal courts may impose; and providing for an effective date.

Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Wyoming:

Section 1
.

W.S. 5
‑
6
‑
201(a), 5
‑
6
‑
210(a) and 5
‑
6
‑
301(a) are amended to read:

5
‑
6
‑
201.

Jurisdiction of municipal judge; change of venue prohibited; exception for certain civil penalties.

(a)

Except as provided by subsection (b) of this section, a municipal judge has exclusive jurisdiction over all violations of ordinances of the city. The municipal judge shall hear and determine violations of ordinances and may impose fines not exceeding
seven hundred fifty dollars ($750.00)
one thousand dollars ($1,000.00)
, or imprisonment not exceeding
six (6) months
one (1) year
, or both, to which may be added costs. No change of venue shall be granted in any case arising under the ordinances of the city.

5
‑
6
‑
210.

Punishment regulated by ordinance; maximum fine and imprisonment.

(a)

Any person convicted by a municipal judge of any offense under any ordinance of the city shall be punished by fine or imprisonment or both as provided by ordinance. Except as provided in subsection (b) of this section, no fine shall exceed
seven hundred fifty dollars ($750.00)
one thousand dollars ($1,000.00)
for any one (1) offense recoverable with costs, and no imprisonment shall exceed
six (6) months
one (1) year
.

5
‑
6
‑
301.

Punishment of persons convicted before judge; maximum penalty permitted; power to punish for contempt.

(a)

A person convicted before a municipal judge shall be fined and imprisoned as provided by ordinance. Except as provided by W.S. 15
‑
1
‑
103(a)(xli) or subsection (c) of this section, no fine shall exceed
seven hundred fifty dollars ($750.00)
one thousand dollars ($1,000.00)
, and no imprisonment shall exceed
six (6) months
one (1) year
.

Section 2
.

This act is effective July 1, 2025
.

(END)

1
HB0051