Wyoming's Vehicular Homicide Laws and Penalties

A motorist who kills another person while driving negligently or under the influence of drugs or alcohol will likely face vehicular homicide charges.

In Wyoming, causing the death of another person while behind the wheel can lead to serious criminal charges. This article covers Wyoming's "homicide-by-vehicle" (vehicular homicide) laws and the penalties you'll face for a conviction.

How Does Wyoming Define "Homicide-by-Vehicle" (Vehicular Homicide)?

In Wyoming, a motorist who causes the death of another person while driving in a criminally negligent manner can be charged with "homicide by vehicle." Wyoming also has a more serious charge called "aggravated homicide by vehicle" that applies to drivers who kill another person while driving recklessly or in violation of the state's DUI (driving under the influence) or BWI (boating while intoxicated) laws.

How Wyoming Law Defines Criminal Negligence

For purposes of Wyoming's homicide by vehicle law, a motorist acts negligently by unknowingly doing something that poses a "substantial and unjustifiable risk" to others. The risk—in regard to nature and degree—must amount to a gross deviation from the standard of care that a reasonable person would use under like circumstances.

How Wyoming Law Defines Recklessness

As with negligence, recklessness involves acting in a way that poses a substantial and unjustifiable risk to others. However—unlike with negligence—recklessness requires proof that the person was aware of but disregarded such a risk.

Convictions for Vehicular Homicide Require Proof of Causation in Wyoming

A driver can be convicted of homicide by vehicular only if there's proof that the driver was a legal cause of the death. It's not enough to merely show the defendant drove negligently, recklessly, or while under the influence and someone died—there needs to be a direct link between the defendant's driving and the death.

How Wyoming Law Defines "Under the Influence"

For purposes of Wyoming's vehicular homicide law, "under the influence" means the motorist:

In other words, "under the influence" means having an excessive BAC or being actually impaired.

Wyoming's Homicide-by-Vehicle (Vehicular Homicide) Penalties

The consequences of a homicide by vehicle conviction depend on the circumstances. However, the possible penalties are:

  • Standard homicide by vehicle. Generally, homicide by vehicle is a misdemeanor and carries up to a year in jail and/or a maximum of $2,000 in fines.
  • Aggravated homicide by vehicle. Aggravated homicide by vehicle is a felony in Wyoming. Convicted motorists face up to 20 years in prison.

All homicide by vehicle convictions result in a one-year license revocation.

Talk to a Wyoming Criminal Defense Attorney

Homicide by vehicle is a serious crime that can result in a long prison sentence. If you've been arrested for homicide by vehicle—or any other crime—get in contact with a criminal defense attorney right away. The facts of every case are different. An experienced defense attorney can explain how the law applies to the facts of your case and help you decide on the best plan of action.

Defend your rights. We've helped 95 clients find attorneys today.
First Name is required
Continue
First Name is required
Continue
DEFEND YOUR RIGHTS
Talk to a Defense attorney
We've helped 95 clients find attorneys today.
There was a problem with the submission. Please refresh the page and try again
Full Name is required
Email is required
Please enter a valid Email
Phone Number is required
Please enter a valid Phone Number
Zip Code is required
Please add a valid Zip Code
Please enter a valid Case Description
Description is required

How It Works

  1. Briefly tell us about your case
  2. Provide your contact information
  3. Choose attorneys to contact you