Home Blood Alcohol Content Harmful Effects Machine Testing Helpful Links Advertise
 
  

Wyoming

31-5-233. Driving or having control of vehicle while under influence of intoxicating liquor or controlled substances; penalties.

(a) As used in this section:

(i) "Alcohol concentration" means:

(A) The number of grams of alcohol per one hundred (100) milliliters of blood;

(B) The number of grams of alcohol per two hundred ten (210) liters of breath; or

(C) The number of grams of alcohol per seventy-five (75) milliliters of urine.

(ii) "Controlled substance" includes:

(A) Any drug or substance defined by W.S. 35-7-1002(a)(iv);

(B) Any glue, aerosol or other toxic vapor which when intentionally inhaled or sniffed results in impairment of an individual's ability to drive safely.

(iii) "Conviction" means as defined in W.S. 31-7-102(a)(xi);

(iv) "Driver's license" means as defined in W.S. 31-7-102(a)(xxv) and includes nonresident operating privileges as defined in W.S. 31-7-102(a)(xxx);

(v) "Other law prohibiting driving while under the influence" means a statute of another state, the United States or a territory or district of the United States or an ordinance of a governmental entity of this or another state or of an Indian tribe which prohibits driving while under the influence of intoxicating liquor, alcohol, controlled substances or drugs;

(vi) "Child passenger" means a person traveling in a vehicle who is under sixteen (16) years of age.

(b) No person shall drive or have actual physical control of any vehicle within this state if the person:

(i) Has an alcohol concentration of eight one-hundredths of one percent (0.08%) or more; or

(ii) To a degree which renders him incapable of safely driving:

(A) Is under the influence of alcohol;

(B) Is under the influence of a controlled substance; or

(C) Is under the influence of a combination of any of the elements named in subparagraphs (A) and (B) of this paragraph.

(c) Upon the trial of any criminal action or proceeding arising out of acts alleged to have been committed by any person while driving or being in actual physical control of a vehicle while under the influence of alcohol, the amount of alcohol in the person's blood at the time alleged as shown by chemical analysis of the person's blood, urine, breath, or other bodily substance shall give rise to the following presumptions:

(i) If there was at that time an alcohol concentration of five one-hundredths of one percent (0.05%) or less, it shall be presumed that the person was not under the influence of alcohol;

(ii) If there was at that time an alcohol concentration of more than five one-hundredths of one percent (0.05%) and less than eight one-hundredths of one percent (0.08%), that fact shall not give rise to any presumption that the person was or was not under the influence of alcohol, but it may be considered with other competent evidence in determining whether the person was under the influence of alcohol to a degree which renders him incapable of safely driving a motor vehicle.

(d) Subsection (c) of this section shall not be construed as limiting the introduction of any other competent evidence bearing upon the question of whether the person was under the influence of alcohol, including tests obtained more than three (3) hours after the alleged violation. The fact that any person charged with a violation of subsection (b) of this section is or has been entitled to use the controlled substance under the laws of this state shall not constitute a defense against any charge under subsection (b) of this section.

(e) Except as otherwise provided, a person convicted of violating this section shall be ordered to or shall receive a substance abuse assessment conducted by a substance abuse provider certified by the department of health pursuant to W.S. 9-2-2701(c) at or before sentencing. The cost of the substance abuse assessment shall be assessed to and paid by the offender. Except as otherwise provided in this subsection or subsection (h) or (m) of this section, a person convicted of violating this section is guilty of 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. On a second conviction within five (5) years after a conviction for a violation of this section or other law prohibiting driving while under the influence, he shall be punished by imprisonment for not less than seven (7) days nor more than six (6) months, he shall be ordered to or shall receive a substance abuse assessment conducted by a substance abuse provider certified by the department of health pursuant to W.S. 9-2-2701(c) before sentencing and shall not be eligible for probation or suspension of sentence or release on any other basis until he has served at least seven (7) days in jail. In addition, the person may be fined not less than two hundred dollars ($200.00) nor more than seven hundred fifty dollars ($750.00). On a third conviction within five (5) years after a conviction for a violation of this section or other law prohibiting driving while under the influence, he shall be punished by imprisonment for not less than thirty (30) days nor more than six (6) months, shall receive a substance abuse assessment pursuant to W.S. 7-13-1302 and shall not be eligible for probation or suspension of sentence or release on any other basis until he has served at least thirty (30) days in jail except that the court shall consider the substance abuse assessment and may order the person to undergo outpatient alcohol or substance abuse treatment during any mandatory period of incarceration. The minimum period of imprisonment for a third violation shall be mandatory, but the court, having considered the substance abuse assessment and the availability of public and private resources, may suspend up to fifteen (15) days of the mandatory period of imprisonment if, subsequent to the date of the current violation, the offender completes an inpatient treatment program approved by the court. In addition, the person may be fined not less than seven hundred fifty dollars ($750.00) nor more than three thousand dollars ($3,000.00). The judge may suspend part or all of the discretionary portion of an imprisonment sentence under this subsection and place the defendant on probation on condition that the defendant pursues and completes an alcohol education or treatment program as prescribed by the judge. Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the term of probation imposed by a judge under this section may exceed the maximum term of imprisonment established for the offense under this subsection provided the term of probation together with any extension thereof, shall not exceed three (3) years for up to and including a third conviction. On a fourth or subsequent conviction within five (5) years for a violation of this section or other law prohibiting driving while under the influence, he shall be guilty of a felony and fined not more than ten thousand dollars ($10,000.00), punished by imprisonment for not more than two (2) years, or both.

(f) Any person convicted under this section or a municipal ordinance which substantially conforms to the provisions of this section shall, in addition to the penalty imposed, have his driver's license suspended or revoked pursuant to W.S. 31-7-127 or 31-7-128. The court shall forward to the department a copy of the record pertaining to disposition of the arrest or citation.

(g) The court may, upon pronouncement of any jail sentence under subsection (e) of this section, provide in the sentence that the defendant may be permitted, if he is employed or enrolled in school and can continue his employment or education, to continue such employment or education for not more than the time necessary as certified by his employer or school administrator, and the remaining day, days or parts of days shall be spent in jail until the sentence is served. He shall be allowed out of jail only long enough to complete his actual hours of employment or education and a reasonable time to travel to and from his place of employment or school. Unless the defendant is indigent, the court shall require him as a condition of special treatment under this subsection to pay a reasonable amount for room and board as determined by the sheriff.

(h) As used in this subsection, "serious bodily injury" means bodily injury which creates a reasonable likelihood of death or which causes miscarriage or serious permanent disfigurement or protracted loss or impairment of any bodily member or organ. Whoever causes serious bodily injury to another person resulting from the violation of this section shall be punished upon conviction as follows:

(i) If not subject to the penalty under paragraph (ii) of this subsection, by a fine of not less than two thousand dollars ($2,000.00) nor more than five thousand dollars ($5,000.00), imprisonment for not more than ten (10) years, or both;

(ii) If previously convicted and sentenced under this subsection, or any other law substantially conforming to the provisions of this subsection, by imprisonment for not more than twenty (20) years; and

(iii) Any person convicted under this subsection shall have his driver's license revoked as provided in W.S. 31-7-127.

(j) Any person charged under this section or a municipal ordinance which substantially conforms to the provisions of this section shall be prosecuted under this section or the ordinance and not under a reduced charge or dismissed unless the prosecuting attorney in open court moves or files a statement to reduce the charge or dismiss, with supporting facts, stating that there is insufficient evidence to sustain the charge.

(k) Chemical analysis of a person's blood, breath or urine to determine alcohol concentration or controlled substance content shall be performed in accordance with W.S. 31-6-105(a).

(m) Any person eighteen (18) years of age or older who has a child passenger in the vehicle during a violation of this section shall be punished upon conviction as follows:

(i) For a first conviction under this subsection, by imprisonment for not more than one (1) year;

 (ii) If previously convicted and sentenced under this subsection, or any other law substantially conforming to the provisions of this subsection, by imprisonment for not more than five (5) years.

31-5-234. Unlawful operation of vehicle by youthful driver with detectable alcohol concentration; penalty.

(a) As used in this section:

(i) "Alcohol concentration" means:

(A) The number of grams of alcohol per one hundred (100) milliliters of blood;

(B) The number of grams of alcohol per two hundred ten (210) liters of breath; or

(C) The number of grams of alcohol per seventy-five (75) milliliters of urine.

(ii) "Driver's license" means as defined by W.S. 31-7-102(a)(xxv) and includes nonresident operating privileges as defined by W.S. 31-7-102(a)(xxx);

(iii) "Peace officer" means as defined by W.S. 7-2-101(a)(iv)(A), (B) and (G);

(iv) "Conviction" means as defined by W.S. 31-7-102(a)(xi).

(b) A person younger than twenty-one (21) years of age shall not operate or be in actual physical control of a vehicle in this state with an alcohol concentration of two one-hundredths of one percent (0.02%) or more.

(c) Repealed by Laws 2002, Ch. 93, 2.

(d) When a peace officer has probable cause to believe that a person may be violating or has violated subsection (b) of this section, the peace officer may request that the person submit to a chemical test or tests to be administered in compliance with W.S. 31-6-108. Prosecution for a violation of this section is a bar to prosecution under W.S. 12-6-101(b) or any similar municipal ordinance.

(e) A person convicted of violating this section shall be guilty of a misdemeanor punishable by a fine of not more than seven hundred fifty dollars ($750.00). A person convicted of violating this section a second time within one (1) year of the first conviction is guilty of a misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment for not more than one (1) month, a fine of not more than seven hundred fifty dollars ($750.00), or both. A person convicted of a third or subsequent conviction under this section within two (2) years shall be guilty of 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. The court may order the person to undergo a substance abuse assessment and complete any recommended treatment for any conviction under this section as a condition of probation. Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the term of probation imposed by a judge under this section may exceed the maximum term of imprisonment established for the offense under this subsection provided the term of probation together with any extension thereof, shall in no case exceed three (3) years.

(f) A person convicted under this section or a municipal ordinance which substantially conforms to the provisions of this section shall, in addition to the penalty imposed in subsection (e) of this section, have his driver's license denied or suspended pursuant to W.S. 31-7-128(h). The court shall forward a copy of the conviction to the department.

(g) The court may, upon pronouncement of any jail sentence under subsection (e) of this section, provide in the sentence that the defendant may be permitted, if he is employed or enrolled in school and can continue his employment or education, to continue such employment or education for not more than the time necessary as certified by his employer or school administrator, and the remaining day, days or parts of days shall be spent in jail until the sentence is served. He shall be allowed out of jail only long enough to complete his actual hours of employment or education and a reasonable time to travel to and from his place of employment or school. Unless the defendant is indigent, the court shall require him as a condition of special treatment under this subsection to pay a reasonable amount for room and board as determined by the sheriff.

(h) Chemical analysis of a person's blood, breath or urine to determine alcohol concentration or controlled substance content shall be performed in accordance with W.S. 31-6-105(a).

31-5-235. Consumption and possession of alcoholic beverages in opened containers by operator of vehicle prohibited; definitions; penalty.

(a) As used in this section;

(i) "Alcoholic beverage" means alcoholic liquor or malt beverage as defined in W.S. 12-1-101(a)(i), (vii) and (x);

(ii) "Recreational vehicle" means a self-propelled motor vehicle designed primarily with living quarters for recreational, camping, vacation or travel use but excludes any vehicle that does not have plumbing and an electrical system that operates above twelve (12) volts.

(b) No person shall consume, transport or possess any alcoholic beverage in a motor vehicle while the motor vehicle is in motion on a public street or public highway unless the beverage is:

(i) In the original unopened package or container, the seal of which has not been broken and from which the original cap, cork or other means of closure has not been removed. Notwithstanding this section, a resealed bottle of wine may be transported as provided in W.S. 12-4-410(e);

(ii) In the trunk or any other outside compartment of the vehicle that is not readily accessible to any person in the vehicle while the vehicle is in motion;

(iii) In the unoccupied back of a pickup truck out of reach of the driver even though access is available through a window;

(iv) In an unoccupied rear compartment of a vehicle not equipped with a trunk or other outside compartment and the rear compartment is not readily accessible to the driver and not normally occupied by passengers while the vehicle is in motion; or

(v) Secured in a cabinet or compartment of a recreational vehicle, and the cabinet or compartment is not readily accessible to the driver while the recreational vehicle is in motion. The alcoholic beverage shall remain secured and shall not be accessed by the driver or any passenger at any time the vehicle is in motion.

(c) Any person violating the provisions of this section shall:

(i) For a first conviction or a subsequent conviction not occurring within one (1) year after the first conviction, be punished by a fine of not more than two hundred dollars ($200.00);

(ii) For a second conviction within one (1) year after the first conviction, be punished by a fine of not more than three hundred dollars ($300.00) or by imprisonment for not more than thirty (30) days, or both;

(iii) For a third or subsequent conviction within one (1) year after the first conviction, be punished by a fine of not more than five hundred dollars ($500.00) or by imprisonment for not more than six (6) months, or both.

(d) This section shall not apply to any passenger in the passenger area of a motor vehicle designed, maintained or used primarily for the transportation of passengers for compensation. The driver of any vehicle under this subsection is prohibited from consuming or having an alcoholic beverage within the driver's zone of control.

(e) This section shall not apply within the boundaries of any incorporated municipality that has adopted an ordinance prohibiting transportation or possession of any open container of an alcoholic beverage in a vehicle on a public street or public highway.

 

 

More Information:

 

Request a Lawyer

  Wyoming DMV


 

DWI Notes for Wyoming (WY)

Driving while intoxicated known as DWI, DUI (driving under the influence) or OUI (operating under the influence) is a serious offense in Wyoming. Losing your license to operate a vehicle in WY is just one of the penalties. It is in your best interest to hire an experienced criminal defense attorney to handle your case. A lawyer who specializes in drunken driving cases will be able to defend your constitutional rights. The field sobriety tests, the breathalyzer or Alcotest blood alcohol content (BAC) readings may be flawed and could result in a not guilty verdict in court. Only an experienced DWI lawyer will know how these tests should be administered and whether they were performed according to the guidelines provided by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).

Standardized Field Sobriety Testing

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has created a set of Standardized Field Sobriety Test (SFST). These three tests have to be administered and evaluated in a standardized manner to obtain accurate indicators of impairment. Most police officers fail to administer these tests correctly. Your DWI attorney may be able to challenge the validity of the stop and arrest by reading the report submitted by the police officer or trooper or by the testimony provided in court.

The Standardized Field Sobriety Tests were developed from research sponsored by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). NHTSA then developed a training regimen for law enforcement officers to provide a consistent way of evaluating the results from DWI suspects. Although police officers use a variety of tests when they pull someone over for suspected driving under the influence of alcohol, the three that are NHTSA accepted are:

  • Horizontal Gaze Nystagmus
  • Walk and Turn
  • One Leg Stand

Other tests, like counting backwards or saying the alphabet from one letter to another have not been proven to be reliable indicators of being intoxicated or under the influence. Keep in mind that even the reliable tests must be administered correctly for them to be valid indicators of DWI.
Horizontal Gaze Nystagmus (HGN) Testing

The horizontal gaze nystagmus test checks if you have involuntary twitching of the eyeball. This occurs naturally as the eyes gaze at a right angle towards the side. When someone is under the influence of alcohol, nystagmus (twitching of the eyeballs) occurs at lesser angles. During this test, the officer will have the subject follow a pen or light with his eyes. The officer must observe the subject eyes. The three indicators that the officer looks for in each eye are:

  • If the subject is smoothly following of the moving object with his/her eyes
  • If the eye begins to jerk distinctly at the maximum range (right angle)
  • If the angle of jerking begins within 45 degrees of center

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has determined that if between both eyes, four or more indicators are present the subject is probably under the influence. This test is therefore allowed for the purpose of making a DWI/DUI arrest and requiring a breath test at the police station.


Walk & Turn and One Leg Stand Tests

The other two tests that the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration believes are accurate predictors of DWI are the so called, “divided attention” tests. These tests can supposedly be done by most sober people. Although many police officers will tell you that they hear people say, “I can’t do that when I’m sober.” (By the way, this is not the wisest thing to say if you are a DWI suspect.) According to NHTSA, suspects cannot usually follow instructions and perform physical tests when they are impaired.

Walk & Turn

In the Walk & Turn test, the police officer will ask the DWI suspect to take nine steps placing the heel to the toe in a straight line. Someone suspected of DWI should follow instructions carefully for this test. The seven indicators of failure in the walk and turn are:

  • Failure to maintain balance while listening to instructions
  • Starting before the instructions are completely stated
  • Stopping while walking to regain balance
  • Lack of heel to toe touching
  • Using arms to regain or maintain balance
  • Loss of balance while turning
  • Taking an incorrect number of steps

NHTSA research indicates that the majority of DUI suspects who fail two or more of the above items are operating under the influence. You will be arrested and charged with DUI/DWI and required to provide a breath sample.

One Leg Stand

The one leg stand test requires the DWI suspect to stand with one foot approximately six inches off the ground and count aloud starting with one thousand and increasing by one (one thousand-one, one thousand-two, one thousand three, etc…) until told to lower the foot by the police officer. The officer is required to time the subject for 30 seconds. The four indicators of DWI impairment are:

  • Swaying while balancing
  • Using arms to balance
  • Hopping to maintain balance
  • Placing the foot down

NHTSA research indicates that the majority of DWI suspects who exhibit two or more of these indicators are under the influence.

Probable Cause

The field tests that are administered on the side of the road are used by police officers to establish probable cause for the arrest. Your DWI attorney may be able to challenge these tests as well as the reason you were stopped in the first place. In order for these tests to yield valid results they have to be administered in the proscribed manner and must be evaluated based on a total number of indicators. The more indicators are present, the more likely that the person is operating under the influence.

Because most people charged with DWI do not understand what these tests are looking for or how they should be administered, it is extremely important that a lawyer that specializes in DWI defense be used to examine all the evidence and provide a recommendation on how to proceed.

Designed and Hosted by Alonso Consulting, Inc.

   

 

 
 
DUI Books at Amazon

Copyright © 2007-2008 Alonso Consulting, Inc. – All Rights Reserved.
Duplication of the content, design or navigation of this site is forbidden and is the exclusive property of the copyright holder.

Listings in this site are either free or paid attorney advertisements. They have not been tested or endorsed by any organization including the publisher of this site. Do not send any incriminating or confidential information to this site, since there is no attorney-client privilege.