Accessory after the fact-amendments.

Plain English Breakdown

The bill's exact impact on penalties was not fully detailed in the provided official source material, but it clearly differentiates between violent and non-violent felonies and considers relationships to the principal offender.

Changes to Penalties for Helping Someone After They Commit a Crime

The bill proposes changes to the penalties for being an accessory after the fact by differentiating punishments based on whether the crime is violent and if the helper is related to or younger than 18 years old.

What This Bill Does

• Amends the penalty for helping someone who committed a non-violent felony, unless you are related to them or they are under 18 years old.
• Keeps the same penalties if the crime was violent.
• Reduces the penalty if you help your relative after they commit a non-violent felony.

Who It Names or Affects

• People who assist others after they have committed crimes in Wyoming, especially those involved in non-violent felonies.

Terms To Know

Accessory after the fact

Someone who helps a person who has already committed a crime, like hiding them or destroying evidence.

Felony

A serious crime that can lead to more than one year in prison.

Limits and Unknowns

• The bill did not pass and was not considered for introduction.
• It would have taken effect on July 1, 2025, but since it did not pass, this date is no longer relevant.

Current Bill Text

25LSO-0605
2025
STATE OF WYOMING
25LSO-0605
Numbered
2.0

HOUSE BILL NO. HB0261

Accessory after the fact-amendments.

Sponsored by: Representative(s) Washut, Clouston, Filer, Geringer and Lawley and Senator(s) Boner, Dockstader, Kolb, Landen and Schuler

A BILL

for

AN ACT relating to crimes and offenses; amending the penalties for the crime of accessory after the fact; and providing for an effective date.

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

Section 1
.

W.S. 6
‑
5
‑
202(b)(i), (ii)(A) and (C) is amended to read:

6
‑
5
‑
202.

Accessory after the fact; penalties.

(b)

An accessory after the fact commits:

(i)

A felony punishable by imprisonment for not more than three (3) years, a fine of not more than three thousand dollars ($3,000.00), or both, if
:

(A)

T
he crime is a felony
that is not a violent felony
and the person acting as an accessory is not a relative of the person committing the crime;
or

(B)

The crime is a violent felony.

(ii)

A misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment for not more than six (6) months, a fine of not more than seven hundred fifty dollars ($750.00), or both, if:

(A)

The crime is a felony
that is not a violent felony
and the person acting as an accessory is a relative of the person committing the crime;

(C)

The crime is a felony that is not a violent felony and t
he principal is a minor.

Section 2
.

This act is effective July 1, 2025
.

(END)

1
HB0261