Wyoming sorts crimes by their top possible punishment. If the law allows over one year behind bars in a state prison, the charge is a felony. Shorter maximums mean a misdemeanor (W.S. 6-10-101).

• Circuit Court: traffic, misdemeanors and the opening hearings of every felony.
• District Court: felony trials after bind-over, appeals, jury trials and juvenile matters.
• Pinedale Municipal Court: violations of town ordinances.

Both state courts belong to the 9th Judicial District, which takes in Fremont and Teton counties as well.

• Circuit Court of the 9th Judicial District: Sublette County Justice Building, 40 South Fremont, Pinedale, WY 82941, 307-367-2556. Mail to PO Box 1796. Hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday.
• Clerk of District Court: 21 S Tyler Ave., Pinedale, WY 82941, 307-367-4376. If you send something by post, use PO Box 764. Same weekday hours.

The District Court clerk keeps the records for every case filed there and sets up jury trials and appeals. It doesn't take traffic tickets or misdemeanors, so those questions go to the Circuit Court. Staff at either office can explain forms and deadlines but can't give legal advice.

Pinedale Municipal Court meets at Town Hall, 205 Entertainment Lane, Pinedale, WY 82941, on the second and fourth Tuesdays of the month at 10 a.m. Town Hall is open on weekdays from 8 to 5, and the court line is 307-367-4136. Letters go to PO Box 1386.

There is no town police department in the county. Sheriff's deputies patrol all three towns, along with the ranch country in between. For town business in Marbleton, call 307-276-3815. In Big Piney, the town office is 307-276-3554. The Sheriff's south county office in Marbleton answers at 307-276-5448.

Every criminal case starts with a short hearing in front of the circuit judge. At that hearing, the judge:

• Reads the charges and the most time each one can carry
• Tells the person they may remain silent and may have an attorney
• Sets bail and lists any release conditions (W.R.Cr.P. 5)
• Takes a plea on a misdemeanor, or sets a date for a felony preliminary hearing

Someone arrested without a warrant must have a judge review probable cause within 72 hours, or they go free. Hearings are usually open to family. The Circuit Court clerk at 307-367-2556 can tell you the date and time.

1. Arraignment. The person pleads guilty, not guilty or no contest. The judge has to approve a no contest plea (W.R.Cr.P. 11).
2. Pretrial. The lawyers trade evidence and often talk about a deal.
3. Trial or resolution. If there's no deal or dismissal, trial has to start inside 180 days from the arraignment, though the defense can agree to more time (W.R.Cr.P. 48(b)).

Here are some maximum penalties:

• Most misdemeanors: as long as six months in jail, plus a $750 maximum fine (W.S. 6-10-103)
• Simple battery: the same six months and $750 (W.S. 6-2-501)
• Domestic battery: six months and $750 for a first conviction; a repeat within five years raises the cap to a year, with a fine as high as $1,000 (W.S. 6-2-511)
• Theft of property worth less than $1,000: a year and $1,500 (W.S. 6-3-402)

1. Circuit Court appearance. The charges, rights and bail are covered.
2. Preliminary hearing. The circuit judge decides if there's probable cause. Someone in custody gets this hearing inside 10 days, and someone on bond inside 20. The defense may give up this hearing (W.R.Cr.P. 5.1).
3. Bind-over. If there's enough evidence, the case moves to District Court.
4. District Court arraignment. The person enters a plea to the felony.
5. Trial. A jury of twelve must agree on the verdict. The 180-day clock runs from arraignment (W.R.Cr.P. 48(b)).
6. Sentencing. The judge gives the sentence in open court with the defendant there.

• Aggravated assault and battery: a prison term as long as a decade. Certain versions carry 5 to 25 years (W.S. 6-2-502).
• Aggravated burglary, which involves a weapon or someone getting hurt: 5 to 25 years in prison, with fines that can climb to $50,000 (W.S. 6-3-301(c)).
• A third domestic battery in 10 years: treated as a felony with a possible 10-year sentence.

Only a capital charge backed by strong evidence can rule out bail. Teens 14 and older can face adult court for violent felonies. With charges this serious, getting a lawyer fast really matters.

Charges here are brought by Sublette County's County and Prosecuting Attorney, 43 East Pine Street, Pinedale, WY 82941, 307-367-2300. Its staff can't give legal advice to the public.

Anyone who can't pay for a lawyer should request one from the judge during that first appearance. Eligibility is based on income (W.S. 7-6-106). Public defenders for this area work out of Jackson. Their office sits on the second floor at 80 E. Pearl Ave, Jackson, WY 83001, 307-733-1067. For a private attorney, the Wyoming State Bar runs a referral line at 307-632-9061.

Calling the clerk is the most reliable way. Before you call, have the defendant's complete name and birth date in front of you.

• Misdemeanors and new felonies: Circuit Court, 307-367-2556, or email ccpin@courts.state.wy.us.
• Felonies after bind-over and jury trials: District Court clerk, 307-367-4376.
• Pinedale ordinance tickets: Town Hall, 307-367-4136.

When an appeal reaches the state's highest court, you can track it on Wyoming's case search.

The Sheriff's Warrant Team tracks down people with warrants from the county's courts. You can reach the team at 307-367-5237 on weekdays from 8 to 5, and the county posts an Active Warrants List with names, bail and charges. Wyoming doesn't offer one statewide warrant lookup, so court clerks will also search a name when you call. A warrant is best handled by turning yourself in with a lawyer. Some people instead ask for their hearing to be rescheduled. The Circuit Court clerk's office is at 40 South Fremont, Pinedale, WY 82941, 307-367-2556.

The U.S. District Court for the District of Wyoming hears federal crimes. Its main clerk is at 2120 Capitol Avenue, Room 2131, Cheyenne, WY 82001, 307-433-2120. The court also keeps a clerk's office in Casper at 111 South Wolcott, Room 121, Casper, WY 82601, 307-232-2620.

Before trial, a federal magistrate listens to both sides and rules on whether the person can safely go home (18 U.S.C. 3142). Because the U.S. Marshals rent beds in the local jail, a person facing federal charges could be kept right here. After sentencing, check the BOP inmate locator.

An immigration hold may keep a person locked up even after the state case allows release:

• The Department of Homeland Security issues Form I-247A to the jail.
• The jail may hold them up to 48 hours after they would otherwise be released (8 CFR 287.7(d)).
• After that, immigration officers pick the person up.
• Look them up afterward on the ICE Online Detainee Locator.

Sublette County is handled by the Denver Field Office, 12445 E. Caley Avenue, Centennial, CO 80111, 720-873-2899. If the defendant isn't a U.S. citizen, an immigration attorney should review any plea offer first, because a conviction can affect their status.

Short jail terms are usually served at the detention center on Tyler. Prison sentences go to the Wyoming Department of Corrections. Probation officers work from the Justice Building at 40 S. Fremont Ave.

The county also has a Treatment Court, running since May 2003, for people with repeat alcohol or drug cases. It lasts at least a year, moves through four phases and comes with close supervision plus drug and alcohol testing. Call 307-367-5103 to learn more. For people in state prison, use the WDOC locator or read about each site in our Wyoming prisons section.

The County Attorney's Juvenile Division handles all law violations by people under 18. Juvenile hearings are confidential and closed to the public.

Under W.S. 14-6-203, age shapes which court can hear a felony:

• 12 and younger: juvenile court only.
• Ages 14 to 16: a violent felony, or any felony after two earlier juvenile petitions, can be charged in adult court.
• Age 17: adult court is possible for every felony.

Before a transfer, the judge considers the seriousness of the offense, the teen's maturity and their history (W.S. 14-6-237). If your child is in custody and you need to know where, call the Sheriff's Office at 307-367-4372.

Wyoming law gives crime victims rights under W.S. 1-40-201 through 1-40-210. These include:

1. Hearing from officials if the defendant goes free before trial or sentencing
2. Attending court in the same room as the defendant, unless the judge finds a strong reason against it
3. Explaining to the judge, before sentencing, what the crime did to their life

The Victim/Witness Division of the County Attorney's Office, 307-367-2300, gives case updates, helps victims get ready for court, can send someone to sit with them at hearings and helps write a victim impact statement. Victims may also qualify for state crime victim compensation. To see if someone is still in jail, use the official inmate search.