2010 Wyoming Statutes
Title 7 - Criminal Procedure
Chapter 3 - Fugitives And Prevention Of Crime

CHAPTER 3 - FUGITIVES AND PREVENTION OF CRIME

 

ARTICLE 1 - INTERSTATE COMPACTS

 

7-3-101. Legislative findings.

 

 

(a) The legislature finds and declares:

 

(i) The congress of the United States, pursuant to the provisions of section 10 of article I of the constitution of the United States, has granted its consent, by that certain act of June 6, 1934 (Public Law No. 293, H.R. 7353), as amended, that any two (2) or more states may enter into agreements or compacts for cooperative effort and mutual assistance in the prevention of crime and in the enforcement of their respective criminal laws and policies, and for the establishment of any agencies, joint or otherwise, as they may deem desirable, for making effective the agreements or compacts;

 

(ii) There is a practical need and utility for these agreements or compacts, between or among the state of Wyoming and any other states of the United States, and particularly between or among the state of Wyoming and those states adjoining the state of Wyoming.

 

7-3-102. Appointment of attorney general to represent state on joint commissions.

 

The governor shall appoint the attorney general as the commissioner who shall represent Wyoming upon any joint commission created by Wyoming and any one (1) or more states for the purpose of negotiating and entering into agreements or compacts for cooperative effort and mutual assistance in the prevention of crime and in the enforcement of the respective criminal laws and policies of Wyoming and any other state and for the establishment of agencies deemed desirable for making effective any agreement or compact.

 

7-3-103. Purpose and objects; required ratification.

 

(a) Any agreement or compact entered into under W.S. 7-3-101 through 7-3-107 shall be designed to suppress crime, to circumvent the activities of criminals and to expedite their apprehension and trial, and to enforce generally the respective criminal laws and policies of Wyoming and any other state entering into the agreement or compact. In order to effectuate those purposes, an agreement or compact may contain specific provisions for the accomplishment of any of the following objects:

 

(i) The arrest of any person who has fled from any one (1) of the compacting states into another, by any pursuing officer of the compacting state from which the person fled;

 

(ii) The return of any witness deemed essential in the prosecution of any criminal case who has gone or fled into any other compacting state from the compacting state in which his presence is required;

 

(iii) The establishment and maintenance by any two (2) or more compacting states of facilities for the investigation of crime and the discovery of criminals, including crime detection agencies, bureaus of registration and identification, crime laboratories and similar agencies;

 

(iv) The proper supervision of any person who, having been paroled or granted probation in one (1) of the compacting states, has become a resident of any other compacting state;

 

(v) The written agreement of one (1) or more law enforcement agencies of this state to enter into mutual aid agreements with one (1) or more law enforcement agencies of this state or an adjoining state or the United States as authorized by W.S. 7-3-903(a).

 

(b) Any agreement or compact entered into pursuant to this section shall conform with the purposes for which the consent of the congress has been granted. Any agreement or compact entered into on behalf of Wyoming and any one (1) or more states shall not be binding upon any of the states, or upon their respective citizens, until the agreement or compact has been ratified and approved by the respective legislatures of the several states entering into the agreement or compact.

 

7-3-104. Legal, clerical and stenographic assistance.

 

When the commissioner of Wyoming is called to enter upon the performance of his duties, as provided under W.S. 7-3-101 through 7-3-107, he shall be furnished legal, clerical and stenographic assistance as the governor and he deem advisable and necessary.

 

7-3-105. Commencement of commissioner's duties.

 

The commissioner for Wyoming shall not commence the performance of his duties, or be authorized to incur any expenses for traveling, or for legal, clerical or stenographic assistance, until the governor of Wyoming is notified by the governor of another state that he has appointed a commissioner to serve upon a joint commission for the purpose of negotiating and entering into any agreement or compact authorized to be made on behalf of Wyoming under W.S. 7-3-101 through 7-3-107.

 

7-3-106. Investigations.

 

The commissioner for Wyoming has full authority to make any investigations of conditions in Wyoming or in any other state which may be necessary in negotiating any agreement or compact authorized by W.S. 7-3-101 through 7-3-107.

 

7-3-107. Compensation of commissioner.

 

The commissioner for Wyoming shall receive no compensation for his services as such, but he and his assistants shall be entitled to receive their traveling and other necessary expenses incurred in the performance of their duties.

 

ARTICLE 2 - EXTRADITION

 

7-3-201. Definitions.

 

 

(a) As used in this act:

 

(i) "Executive authority" includes the governor, and any person performing the functions of governor in a state other than this state;

 

(ii) "Governor" includes any person performing the functions of governor by authority of the law of this state;

 

(iii) "State", referring to a state other than this state, includes any other organized or unorganized state or territory of the United States of America;

 

(iv) "This act" means W.S. 7-3-201 through 7-3-227.

 

7-3-202. Duty of governor to have fugitives arrested and delivered up to proper authorities.

 

Subject to the qualifications of this act, and the applicable provisions of the United States constitution and acts of congress, the governor of this state shall have arrested and delivered up to the executive authority of any other state of the United States any person charged in that state with treason, felony, or other crime, who has fled from justice and is found in this state.

 

7-3-203. General requirements as to demand by another state.

 

No demand for the extradition of a person charged with crime in another state shall be recognized by the governor unless in writing and accompanied by a copy of an indictment found or by an information supported by affidavit in the state having jurisdiction of the crime, or by a copy of an affidavit made before a magistrate there, together with a copy of any warrant which was issued thereon. The indictment, information, or affidavit made before the magistrate shall substantially charge the person demanded with having committed a crime under the law of that state and the copy shall be authenticated by the executive authority making the demand, which shall be prima facie evidence of its truth.

 

7-3-204. Investigation of demand.

 

When a demand shall be made upon the governor of this state by the executive authority of another state for a surrender of a person charged with crime, the governor may call upon the attorney general or any district attorney in this state to investigate or assist in investigating the demand, and to report to him the situation and circumstances of the person so demanded, and whether he should be surrendered.

 

7-3-205. Contents of demand.

 

 

(a) A warrant of extradition shall not be issued unless the documents presented by the executive authority making the demand show that the accused:

 

(i) Except in cases arising under W.S. 7-3-206, was present in the demanding state at the time of the commission of the alleged crime, and thereafter fled from the state;

 

(ii) Is now in this state; and

 

(iii) Is lawfully charged by indictment found or by information filed by a prosecuting officer and supported by affidavit to the facts, or by affidavit made before a magistrate in that state, with having committed a crime under the laws of that state, or that he has been convicted of a crime in that state and has escaped from confinement or broken his parole.

 

7-3-206. Surrender of accused when not present in demanding state at time of crime.

 

The governor of this state may also surrender, on demand of the executive authority of any other state, any person in this state charged in that other state in the manner provided in W.S. 7-3-205, with committing an act in this state, or in a third state, intentionally resulting in a crime in that state whose executive authority is making the demand. The provisions of this act not otherwise inconsistent shall apply to this situation notwithstanding the accused was not in that state at the time of the commission of the crime and has not fled therefrom.

 

7-3-207. Issuance of governor's warrant for arrest; contents.

 

If the governor decides that the demand should be complied with, he shall sign a warrant of arrest, sealed with the state seal, and directed to a sheriff, marshal, coroner or other person entrusted to execute it. The warrant shall substantially recite the facts necessary to the validity of its issuance.

 

7-3-208. Effect of warrant.

 

 

(a) The warrant shall:

 

(i) Authorize the officer or other person to whom directed to arrest the accused at any place where he may be found within the state and to deliver him to the duly authorized agent of the demanding state; and

 

(ii) Command the aid of all sheriffs and other peace officers in the execution of the warrant.

 

7-3-209. Authority of person making arrest to command assistance.

 

Every officer or other person authorized by the governor to make the arrest has the same authority in arresting the accused to command assistance as sheriffs and other officers have in the execution of any criminal process directed to them, with the like penalties against those who refuse their assistance.

 

7-3-210. Right of accused to counsel; opportunity to apply for writ of habeas corpus; notice of writ and hearing.

 

No person arrested pursuant to W.S. 7-3-208 shall be delivered over to the agent whom the executive authority demanding him shall have appointed to receive him unless he has been informed of the demand made for his surrender and of the crime with which he is charged, and that he has the right to demand legal counsel. If the prisoner, his friends, or counsel shall state that he or they desire to test the legality of the arrest, the prisoner shall be taken forthwith before a judge of a court of record in this state, who shall fix a reasonable time to be allowed him within which to apply for a writ of habeas corpus. When the writ is applied for, notice thereof, and of the time and place of hearing thereon, shall be given to the prosecuting officer of the county in which the arrest is made and in which the accused is in custody, and to the appointed agent of the demanding state.

 

7-3-211. Penalty for surrendering accused without hearing.

 

Any officer who delivers to the agent for extradition of the demanding state a person in his custody under the governor's warrant in violation of W.S. 7-3-210 is guilty of a misdemeanor, and on conviction shall be fined not more than one thousand dollars ($1,000.00), or be imprisoned not more than six (6) months, or both.

 

7-3-212. Confinement in jail for safekeeping; expenses.

 

The officer or person executing the governor's warrant of arrest, or the agent of the demanding state to whom the prisoner may have been delivered, may, when necessary, confine the prisoner in the jail of any county or city en route to his destination. The keeper of the jail shall receive and safely keep the prisoner until the person having charge of him is ready to proceed on his route. The person having charge of the prisoner is chargeable with the expense of keeping him in jail.

 

7-3-213. Issuance of warrant for arrest by judge or magistrate.

 

 

(a) The judge or magistrate shall issue a warrant for arrest when:

 

(i) Any person within this state is charged on the oath of any credible person before the judge or other magistrate of this state with the commission of a crime in any other state, and except in cases arising under W.S. 7-3-206, with having fled from justice; or

 

(ii) A complaint has been made before any judge or other magistrate in this state setting forth on the affidavit of any credible person in another state that a crime has been committed in that other state and that the accused has been charged in that state with the commission of the crime, and, except in cases arising under W.S. 7-3-206, has fled therefrom and is believed to have been found in this state.

 

(b) The warrant to the sheriff of the county in which the oath or complaint is filed shall direct him to apprehend the person charged, wherever he may be found in this state, and bring him before the judge or magistrate or any other judge, court, or magistrate who may be convenient to the place where the arrest may be made, to answer the charge or complaint and affidavit. A certified copy of the sworn charge or complaint and affidavit upon which the warrant is issued shall be attached to the warrant.

 

7-3-214. Authority to arrest person without warrant.

 

The arrest of a person may be lawfully made by an officer or a private citizen without a warrant upon reasonable information that the accused is charged in the courts of another state with a crime punishable by death or imprisonment for a term exceeding one (1) year. When arrested under this section the accused shall be taken before a judge or magistrate as soon as possible and complaint shall be made against him under oath setting forth the ground for the arrest as in W.S. 7-3-213. Thereafter his answer shall be heard as if he had been arrested on a warrant.

 

7-3-215. Examination of person arrested without warrant; commitment pending demand.

 

If from the examination before the judge or magistrate it appears that the person held is the person charged with having committed the crime alleged and that he probably committed the crime, and, except in cases arising under W.S. 7-3-206, that he has fled from justice, the judge or magistrate shall commit him to jail by a warrant reciting the accusation and specifying the time as will enable the arrest of the accused to be made under a warrant of the governor on a requisition of the executive authority of the state having jurisdiction of the offense, unless the accused give bail as provided in W.S. 7-3-216, or until he shall be legally discharged.

 

7-3-216. Right of person arrested without warrant to bail.

 

Unless the offense with which the prisoner is charged is shown to be an offense punishable by death or life imprisonment under the laws of the state in which it was committed, the judge or magistrate shall admit the arrested person to bail by bond or undertaking, with sufficient sureties, and in such sum as he deems proper. The bail or bond shall be conditioned for the appearance of the arrested person before the judge or magistrate at a time specified in the bond or undertaking, and for his surrender, to be arrested upon the warrant of the governor of this state.

 

7-3-217. Failure of state to demand person arrested without warrant within time specified.

 

If the accused is not arrested under warrant of the governor by the expiration of the time specified in the warrant, bond, or undertaking, the judge or magistrate may discharge him or may recommit him to a further day, or may again take bail for his appearance and surrender, as provided in W.S. 7-3-216. At the expiration of the second period of commitment, or if he has been bailed and appeared according to the terms of his bond or undertaking, the judge or magistrate may either discharge him, or may require him to enter into a new bond or undertaking, to appear and surrender himself at another day.

 

7-3-218. Failure of prisoner admitted to bail to appear.

 

If the prisoner is admitted to bail, and fails to appear and surrender himself according to the condition of his bond, the court shall order the bond forfeited. Recovery may be had on the bond in the name of the state as in the case of other bonds or undertakings given by the accused in criminal proceedings within this state.

 

7-3-219. Procedure where criminal prosecution pending against accused in state.

 

If a criminal prosecution has been instituted against the person under the laws of this state and is still pending, the governor at his discretion either may surrender him on the demand of the executive authority of another state, or may hold him until he has been tried and discharged, or convicted and punished in this state.

 

7-3-220. Inquiry into guilt or innocence of accused.

 

The guilt or innocence of the accused as to the crime of which he is charged may not be inquired into by the governor or in any proceeding after the demand for extradition as provided by W.S. 7-3-203 shall have been presented to the governor, except as it may be involved in identifying the person held as the person charged with the crime.

 

7-3-221. Recall of, or issuance of new, warrant.

 

The governor may recall his warrant of arrest, or may issue another warrant whenever he deems proper.

 

7-3-222. Demand that accused be returned to this state; issuance of warrant.

 

 

(a) Upon receipt of an application as provided by W.S. 7-3-223, the governor of this state may demand a person charged with crime in this state, or with violation of parole, from the chief executive of any other state, or from the chief justice or an associate justice of the supreme court of the District of Columbia authorized to receive such demand under the laws of the United States.

 

(b) The governor shall issue a warrant under the seal of this state, to some agent, commending him to receive the person so charged if delivered to him and convey him to the proper officer of the county in this state in which the offense was committed.

 

7-3-223. Application for return of accused to this state.

 

 

(a) When the return to this state of a person charged with crime in this state is required, the district attorney for the county in which the offense is committed shall present to the governor a written application for a requisition for the return of the person charged. The application shall state:

 

(i) The name of the person charged;

 

(ii) The crime charged against him;

 

(iii) The approximate time, place and circumstances of the commission of the crime; and

 

(iv) The state and address or location where the accused is believed to be at the time the application is made.

 

(b) As part of the application under subsection (a) of this section the district attorney shall certify that in his opinion justice requires the arrest and return of the accused to this state for trial, and that the proceeding is not instituted to enforce a private claim.

 

(c) The application under subsection (a) of this section shall be verified by affidavit and shall be executed in duplicate. It shall be accompanied by two (2) certified copies of the indictment returned, or information filed, or of the complaint and affidavit made to the magistrate, stating the offense with which the accused is charged. The district attorney may also attach further affidavits and other documents in duplicate as he deems proper to be submitted with the application. One (1) copy of the application with the action of the governor indicated by his endorsement, and one (1) of the certified copies of the indictment, information or complaint and affidavit, shall be filed in the office of the secretary of state to remain of record in that office. The other copy of all papers shall be forwarded with the governor's requisition.

 

(d) When the return to this state of a person charged with violating the conditions of his parole is required, the chairman of the board of parole shall present to the governor a written application for a requisition for the return of the person charged with parole violation. The application shall state:

 

(i) The name of the parolee;

 

(ii) The parole violation charged against him;

 

(iii) The approximate time, place and circumstances of the commission of the violation; and

 

(iv) The state and address where the parolee is believed to be at the time the application is made.

 

(e) As part of the application under subsection (d) of this section the chairman of the board of parole shall certify that in his opinion justice requires the arrest and return of the parolee to this state for hearing before the board of parole and that the proceeding is not instituted to enforce a private claim.

 

(f) The application under subsection (d) of this section shall be verified by affidavit, shall be executed in duplicate and shall be accompanied by two (2) certified copies of the judgment and sentence, parole grant, parole agreement, recommendation for revocation of parole and order of arrest issued by the board of parole. The chairman of the board of parole may also attach further affidavits and other documents in duplicate as he deems proper to be submitted with the application. One (1) copy of the application with the action of the governor indicated by his endorsement, and one (1) of the certified copies required by this subsection, shall be filed in the office of the secretary of state to remain of record in that office. The other copy of all papers shall be forwarded with the governor's requisition.

 

7-3-224. Payment of expenses for return of accused to this state.

 

(a) The state shall pay the expenses involved in the return to this state of a person charged with violating the terms of his parole or who has escaped from a state penal institution or who has escaped from a corrections program provided for inmates of a state penal institution other than a defendant serving a split sentence of incarceration under W.S. 7-13-107 or a probationer participating in a residential or nonresidential community correctional program pursuant to W.S. 7-18-108. In all other cases the expenses of extradition shall be paid by the county applying for the return of the person.

 

(b) Expenses authorized under this section include the fees paid to the officers of the state on whose governor the requisition is made, and mileage for all necessary travel in returning the person not exceeding the rate set in W.S. 9-3-103.

 

7-3-225. Service of civil process on person brought into state.

 

A person brought into this state on extradition based on a criminal charge is not subject to service of personal process in any civil action arising out of the same facts as the criminal proceedings to answer which he is returned, until he has been convicted in the criminal proceedings, or if acquitted, until he has had ample opportunity to return to the state from which he was extradited.

 

7-3-226. Charging of person brought into state with other crimes.

 

After a person has been brought back to this state upon extradition proceedings, he may be tried in this state for other crimes which he may be charged with having committed here, as well as that specified in the requisition for his extradition.

 

7-3-227. Construction of provisions.

 

This act shall be so interpreted and construed as to effectuate its general purpose to make uniform the law of those states which enact it.

 

ARTICLE 3 - INTERSTATE COMPACT FOR ARREST OF FUGITIVES AND ATTENDANCE OF WITNESSES

 

7-3-301. Repealed By Laws 2007, Ch. 89, 1.

 

 

7-3-302. Repealed By Laws 2007, Ch. 89, 1.

 

 

7-3-303. Repealed By Laws 2007, Ch. 89, 1.

 

ARTICLE 4 - WESTERN INTERSTATE CORRECTIONS COMPACT

 

7-3-401. Western Interstate Corrections Compact.

 

The Western Interstate Corrections Compact as contained herein is hereby enacted into law and entered into on behalf of this state with any and all other states legally joining therein in a form substantially as follows:

 

WESTERN INTERSTATE CORRECTIONS COMPACT

 

ARTICLE I

 

Purpose and Policy

 

The party states, desiring by common action to improve their institutional facilities and provide programs of sufficiently high quality for the confinement, treatment and rehabilitation of various types of offenders, declare that it is the policy of each of the party states to provide such facilities and programs on a basis of cooperation with one another, thereby serving the best interest of such offenders and of society. The purpose of this compact is to provide for the development and execution of such programs of cooperation for the confinement, treatment and rehabilitation of offenders.

 

ARTICLE II

 

Definitions

 

(a) As used in this compact, unless the context clearly requires otherwise:

 

(i) "State" means a state of the United States or, subject to the limitation contained in article VII, Guam;

 

(ii) "Sending state" means a state party to this compact in which conviction was had;

 

(iii) "Receiving state" means a state party to this compact to which an inmate is sent for confinement other than a state in which conviction was had;

 

(iv) "Inmate" means a male or female offender who is under sentence to or confined in a prison or other correctional institution;

 

(v) "Institution" means any prison, reformatory or other correctional facility (including but not limited to a facility for the mentally ill or mentally defective) in which inmates may lawfully be confined;

 

(vi) "This compact" means W.S. 7-3-401.

 

ARTICLE III

 

Contracts

 

(a) Each party state may make one (1) or more contracts with any one (1) or more of the other party states for the confinement of inmates on behalf of a sending state in institutions situated within receiving states. Any such contract shall provide for:

 

(i) Its duration;

 

(ii) Payments to be made to the receiving state by the sending state for inmate maintenance, extraordinary medical and dental expenses, and any participation in or receipt by inmates of rehabilitative or correctional services, facilities, programs or treatment not reasonably included as part of normal maintenance;

 

(iii) Participation in programs of inmate employment, if any; the disposition or crediting of any payments received by inmates on account thereof, and the crediting of proceeds from or disposal of any products resulting therefrom;

 

(iv) Delivery and retaking of inmates;

 

(v) Such other matters as may be necessary and appropriate to fix the obligations, responsibilities and rights of the sending and receiving states.

 

(b) Prior to the construction or completion of construction of any institution or addition thereto by a party state, any other party state or states may contract therewith for the enlargement of the planned capacity of the institution or addition thereto, or for the inclusion therein of particular equipment or structures, and for the reservation of a specific percentum of the capacity of the institution to be kept available for use by inmates of the sending state or states so contracting. Any sending state so contracting may, to the extent that monies are legally available therefor, pay to the receiving state, a reasonable sum as consideration for such enlargement of capacity, or provision of equipment or structures, and reservation of capacity. Such payment may be in a lump sum or in installments as provided in the contract.

 

(c) The terms and provisions of this compact shall be a part of any contract entered into by the authority of or pursuant thereto, and nothing in any such contract shall be inconsistent therewith.

 

ARTICLE IV

 

Procedures and Rights

 

(a) Whenever the duly constituted judicial or administrative authorities in a state party to this compact, and which has entered into a contract pursuant to article III, shall decide that confinement in, or transfer of an inmate to, an institution within the territory of another party state is necessary in order to provide adequate quarters and care or desirable in order to provide an appropriate program of rehabilitation or treatment, said officials may direct that the confinement be within an institution within the territory of said other party state, the receiving state to act in that regard solely as agent for the sending state.

 

(b) The appropriate officials of any state party to this compact shall have access, at all reasonable times, to any institution in which it has a contractual right to confine inmates for the purpose of inspecting the facilities thereof and visiting such of its inmates as may be confined in the institution.

 

(c) Inmates confined in an institution pursuant to the terms of this compact shall at all times be subject to the jurisdiction of the sending state and may at any time be removed therefrom for transfer to a prison or other institution within the sending state, for transfer to another institution in which the sending state may have a contractual or other right to confine inmates, for release on probation or parole, for discharge, or for any other purpose permitted by the laws of the sending state; provided that the sending state shall continue to be obligated to such payments as may be required pursuant to the terms of any contract entered into under the terms of article III.

 

(d) Each receiving state shall provide regular reports to each sending state on the inmates of that sending state in institutions pursuant to this compact including a conduct record of each inmate and certify said record to the official designated by the sending state, in order that each inmate may have the benefit of his or her record in determining and altering the disposition of said inmate in accordance with the law which may obtain in the sending state and in order that the same may be a source of information for the sending state.

 

(e) All inmates who may be confined in an institution pursuant to the provisions of this compact shall be treated in a reasonable and humane manner and shall be cared for and treated equally with such similar inmates of the receiving state as may be confined in the same institution. The fact of confinement in a receiving state shall not deprive any inmate so confined of any legal rights which said inmate would have had if confined in an appropriate institution of the sending state.

 

(f) Any hearing or hearings to which an inmate confined pursuant to this compact may be entitled by the laws of the sending state may be had before the appropriate authorities of the sending state, or of the receiving state if authorized by the sending state. The receiving state shall provide adequate facilities for such hearings as may be conducted by the appropriate officials of a sending state. In the event such hearing or hearings are had before officials of the receiving state, the governing law shall be that of the sending state and a record of the hearing or hearings as prescribed by the sending state shall be made. Said record together with any recommendations of the hearing officials shall be transmitted forthwith to the official or officials before whom the hearing would have been had if it had taken place in the sending state. In any and all proceedings had pursuant to the provisions of this subdivision, the officials of the receiving state shall act solely as agents of the sending state and no final determination shall be made in any matter except by the appropriate officials of the sending state. Costs of records made pursuant to this subdivision shall be borne by the sending state.

 

(g) Any inmate confined pursuant to this compact shall be released within the territory of the sending state unless the inmate, and the sending and receiving states, shall agree upon release in some other place. The sending state shall bear the cost of such return to its territory.

 

(h) Any inmate confined pursuant to the terms of this compact shall have any and all rights to participate in and derive any benefits or incur or be relieved of any obligations or have such obligations modified or his status changed on account of any action or proceeding in which he could have participated if confined in any appropriate institution of the sending state located within such state.

 

(j) The parent, guardian, trustee, or other person or persons entitled under the laws of the sending state to act for, advise, or otherwise function with respect to any inmate shall not be deprived of or restricted in his exercise of any power in respect of any inmate confined pursuant to the terms of this compact.

 

ARTICLE V

 

Acts Not Reviewable in Receiving State; Extradition

 

(a) Any decision of the sending state in respect of any matter over which it retains jurisdiction pursuant to this compact shall be conclusive upon and not reviewable within the receiving state, but if at the time the sending state seeks to remove an inmate from an institution in the receiving state there is pending against the inmate within such state any criminal charge or if the inmate is suspected of having committed within such state a criminal offense, the inmate shall not be returned without the consent of the receiving state until discharged from prosecution or other form of proceeding, imprisonment or detention for such offense. The duly accredited officers of the sending state shall be permitted to transport inmates pursuant to this compact through any and all states party to this compact without interference.

 

(b) An inmate who escapes from an institution in which he is confined pursuant to this compact shall be deemed a fugitive from the sending state and from the state in which the institution is situated. In the case of an escape to a jurisdiction other than the sending or receiving state, the responsibility for institution of extradition proceedings shall be that of the sending state, but nothing contained herein shall be construed to prevent or affect the activities of officers and agencies of any jurisdiction directed toward the apprehension and return of an escapee.

 

ARTICLE VI

 

Federal Aid

 

Any state party to this compact may accept federal aid for use in connection with any institution or program, the use of which is or may be affected by this compact or any contract pursuant hereto and any inmate in a receiving state pursuant to this compact may participate in any such federally aided program or activity for which the sending and receiving states have made contractual provision provided that if such program or activity is not part of the customary correctional regimen the express consent of the appropriate official of the sending state shall be required therefor.

 

ARTICLE VII

 

Entry into Force

 

This compact shall enter into force and become effective and binding upon the states so acting when it has been enacted into law by any two (2) contiguous states from among the states of Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Utah, Washington and Wyoming. For the purposes of this article, Alaska and Hawaii shall be deemed contiguous to each other; to any and all of the states of California, Oregon and Washington; and to Guam. Thereafter, this compact shall enter into force and become effective and binding as to any other of said states, or any other state contiguous to at least one (1) party state upon similar action by such state. Guam may become party to this compact by taking action similar to that provided for joinder by any other eligible party state and upon the consent of congress to such joinder. For the purposes of this article, Guam shall be deemed contiguous to Alaska, Hawaii, California, Oregon and Washington.

 

ARTICLE VIII

 

Withdrawal and Termination

 

This compact shall continue in force and remain binding upon a party state until it shall have enacted a statute repealing the same and providing for the sending of formal written notice of withdrawal from the compact to the appropriate officials of all other party states. An actual withdrawal shall not take effect until two (2) years after the notices provided in said statute have been sent. Such withdrawal shall not relieve the withdrawing state from its obligations assumed hereunder prior to the effective date of withdrawal. Before the effective date of withdrawal, a withdrawing state shall remove to its territory, at its own expense, such inmates as it may have confined pursuant to the provisions of this compact.

 

ARTICLE IX

 

Other Arrangements Unaffected

 

Nothing contained in this compact shall be construed to abrogate or impair any agreement or other arrangement which a party state may have with a nonparty state for the confinement, rehabilitation or treatment of inmates nor to repeal any other laws of a party state authorizing the making of cooperative institutional arrangements.

 

ARTICLE X

 

Construction and Severability

 

The provisions of this compact shall be liberally construed and shall be severable. If any phrase, clause, sentence or provision of this compact is declared to be contrary to the constitution of any participating state or of the United States or the applicability thereof to any government, agency, person or circumstance is held invalid, the validity of the remainder of this compact and the applicability thereof to any government, agency, person or circumstance shall not be affected thereby. If this compact shall be held contrary to the constitution of any state participating therein, the compact shall remain in full force and effect as to the remaining states and in full force and effect as to the state affected as to all severable matters.

 

7-3-402. Authority to commit or transfer inmates.

 

Any court or other agency or officer of this state having power to commit or transfer an inmate (as defined in article II (a)(iv) of the Western Interstate Corrections Compact) to any institution for confinement may commit or transfer such inmate to any institution within or without this state if this state has entered into a contract or contracts for the confinement of inmates in said institution pursuant to article III of the Western Interstate Corrections Compact.

 

7-3-403. Enforcement of compact.

 

The courts, departments, agencies and officers of this state and its subdivisions shall enforce this compact and shall do all things appropriate to the effectuation of its purposes and intent which may be within their respective jurisdictions including but not limited to the making and submission of such reports as are required by the compact.

 

7-3-404. Hearings.

 

The governor is hereby authorized and directed to hold such hearings as may be requested by any other party state pursuant to article IV (f) of the Western Interstate Corrections Compact.

 

7-3-405. Authority to enter into contracts; force and effect.

 

The governor is hereby empowered to enter into such contracts on behalf of this state as may be appropriate to implement the participation of this state in the Western Interstate Corrections Compact pursuant to article III thereof. No such contract shall be of any force or effect until approved by the attorney general of the state.

 

7-3-406. Construction and severability of provisions.

 

The provisions of this act, W.S. 7-3-401 through 7-3-406, shall be severable and if any phrase, clause, sentence, or provision of this act is declared to be unconstitutional or the applicability thereof to any state, agency, person or circumstance is held invalid, the constitutionality of this act and the applicability thereof to any other state, agency, person or circumstance shall, with respect to all severable matters, not be affected thereby. It is the legislative intent that the provisions of this act be reasonably and liberally construed.

 

ARTICLE 5 - PREVENTION OF CRIME

 

7-3-501. Filing of complaint; issuance of warrant or summons.

 

(a) As used in W.S. 7-3-501 through 7-3-505 "judge" means a circuit court judge.

 

(b) When complaint is made by the district attorney or by any private person to any circuit court judge that a person has threatened or is about to commit a breach of the peace or an offense against the person or property of another, the judge shall:

 

(i) Examine under oath the complainant and any witnesses who may be produced;

 

(ii) Reduce the complaint and a concise statement of the testimony of the witnesses to writing; and

 

(iii) Cause the complaint to be subscribed and sworn to.

 

(c) If it appears there is probable cause to believe the offense will be committed, the judge shall issue a warrant for the arrest of the person complained against or issue a summons for him to appear and answer the complaint.

 

7-3-502. Examination of party complained against; recognizance to keep peace.

 

When the party complained against appears before the judge the testimony produced on both sides shall be heard if the allegations of the complaint are controverted. If, upon examination, it appears to the judge that there is no probable cause to believe that the offense will be committed, the person complained against shall be discharged. If, however, the judge finds that there is probable cause to believe that the offense will be committed, he shall order the person complained against to give a recognizance, with good and sufficient surety in the form of cash, bond or other property, in any sum the judge directs. The recognizance shall be conditioned that the person complained against shall keep the peace toward all people of this state, and especially towards the person against whom or whose property there is reason to believe the offense will be committed, for a period of time determined by the judge not exceeding twelve (12) months.

 

7-3-503. Compliance with recognizance order; failure to give recognizance.

 

 

(a) If a person ordered to give recognizance complies with the order he shall be discharged and the recognizance returned to him.

 

(b) If a person ordered to give recognizance and surety refuses or neglects to do so, the judge may order the person to show cause why he should not be committed to jail. If the judge finds that the person's default is willful or is due to his failure to make a good faith effort to obtain the surety required, the judge may order him committed to jail until the surety, or a specified part thereof is given, provided that such commitment shall not exceed six (6) months.

 

7-3-504. Judgment against complainant; defects in complaint.

 

(a) If the person complained against is discharged after hearing because no probable cause is found and if the judge finds that the complaint was commenced maliciously and without reasonable cause on the part of the complainant, the judge may enter judgment against the complainant for the costs of the proceedings and the reasonable attorney's fees of the person complained against. If the person complained against is required to give recognizance the judge may assess the costs of the proceedings against him.

 

(b) A proceeding to prevent an offense under this article shall not be dismissed because of any informality or insufficiency of the complaint or other document in the proceeding. The complaint may be amended by the judge to conform to the evidence in the case.

 

7-3-505. Filing of recognizance; forfeiture.

 

A recognizance taken in accordance with W.S. 7-3-501 through 7-3-505 shall be filed by the clerk of the court in the court records. Upon a breach of the condition of the recognizance, the court shall declare a forfeiture of the security in the manner provided for the forfeiture of bail in criminal cases, except for good cause shown.

 

7-3-506. Definitions.

 

(a) As used in W.S. 7-3-506 through 7-3-511:

 

(i) "Court" means the circuit court or the district court in the county where an alleged victim of stalking resides, or where the alleged perpetrator of the stalking is found;

 

(ii) "Order of protection" means a court order granted for the protection of a victim of stalking;

 

(iii) "Stalking" means conduct as defined by W.S. 6-2-506(b).

 

7-3-507. Petition for order of protection; contents; requisites; indigent petitioners.

 

(a) A victim of stalking, or the district attorney on behalf of the alleged victim, may file with the court a petition for an order of protection.

 

(b) The petition shall be accompanied or supplemented by one (1) or more sworn affidavits setting out specific facts showing the alleged stalking and the identity of the alleged stalker.

 

(c) No filing fee shall be charged for the filing of a petition under this section nor shall a fee be charged for service of process.

 

(d) The attorney general shall promulgate a standard petition form which may be used by petitioners. The clerk of the circuit or district court shall make standard petition forms available to petitioners, with instructions for completion, without charge. If the petition is not filed by the district attorney, the court may appoint an attorney to represent an indigent petitioner. Nothing in this subsection shall prevent the victim from hiring an attorney or filing a petition pro se.

 

(e) A petition may be filed under this section whether or not the individual who is alleged to have engaged in a course of conduct prohibited under W.S. 6-2-506 has been charged or convicted under W.S. 6-2-506 for the alleged crime.

 

7-3-508. Temporary order of protection; setting hearing.

 

 

(a) Upon the filing of a petition for an order of protection, the court shall schedule a hearing on the petition to be conducted within seventy-two (72) hours after the filing of the petition, and shall cause each party to be served with an order to appear, a copy of the petition and a copy of the supporting affidavits. Service shall be made upon each party at least twenty-four (24) hours before the hearing. The failure to hold or complete the hearing within seventy-two (72) hours shall not affect the validity of the hearing or any order issued thereon.

 

(b) If the court determines from the specific facts shown by the petition and supporting affidavits that there exists a clear and present danger of further stalking or of serious adverse consequences to any person, the court may grant ex parte a temporary order of protection pending the hearing, and shall cause a copy of the temporary order of protection to be served on each party. The court may prescribe terms in the temporary order of protection which it deems sufficient to protect the victim and any other person pending the hearing, including but not limited to the elements described in W.S. 7-3-509(a).

 

(c) A temporary order of protection issued under paragraph (b) of this section shall contain a notice that willful violation of any provision of the order constitutes a crime as defined by W.S. 7-3-510(c), can result in immediate arrest and may in some cases subject the perpetrator to enhanced penalties for felony stalking under W.S. 6-2-506(e).

 

7-3-509. Order of protection; contents; remedies; order not to affect title to property.

 

 

(a) Following a hearing under W.S. 7-3-508(a) and upon a finding that conduct constituting stalking has been committed, the court shall enter an order of protection ordering the respondent to refrain from any further acts of stalking involving the victim or any other person. As a part of any order of protection, the court may direct that the respondent:

 

(i) Stay away from the home, school, business or place of employment of the victim or any other locations the court may describe in the order; and

 

(ii) Refrain from contacting, intimidating, threatening or otherwise interfering with the victim of the alleged offense and any other persons, including but not limited to members of the family or household of the victim, as the court may describe in the order.

 

(b) The order shall contain a notice that willful violation of any provision of the order constitutes a crime as defined by W.S. 7-3-510(c), can result in immediate arrest and may in some cases subject the perpetrator to enhanced penalties for felony stalking under W.S. 6-2-506(e).

 

7-3-510. Service of order; duration and extension of order; violation; remedies not exclusive.

 

(a) An order of protection granted under W.S. 7-3-509 shall be served upon the respondent pursuant to the Wyoming Rules of Civil Procedure. A copy of the order of protection shall be filed with the sheriff of the county.

 

(b) An order of protection granted by the court under W.S. 7-3-509 shall be effective for a fixed period of time not to exceed one (1) year. Either party may move to modify, terminate or extend the order. The order may be extended repetitively upon a showing of good cause for additional periods of time not to exceed one (1) year each.

 

(c) Willful violation of a temporary order of protection issued under W.S. 7-3-508 or of an order of protection issued under W.S. 7-3-509 is 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. A temporary order of protection issued under W.S. 7-3-508 and an order of protection issued under W.S. 7-3-509 shall have statewide applicability and a criminal prosecution under this subsection may be commenced in any county in which the respondent commits an act in violation of the order.

 

(d) The remedies provided by W.S. 7-3-506 through 7-3-511 are in addition to any other civil or criminal remedy available under the law.

 

7-3-511. Emergency assistance by law enforcement officers; limited liability.

 

 

(a) A person who allegedly has been a victim of stalking may request the assistance of a law enforcement agency, which shall respond to the request in a manner appropriate to the circumstances.

 

(b) A law enforcement officer or agency responding to the request for assistance may take whatever steps are reasonably necessary to protect the victim, including:

 

(i) Advising the victim of the remedies available under W.S. 7-3-506 through 7-3-511 and the availability of shelter, medical care, counseling and other services;

 

(ii) Advising the victim, when appropriate, of the procedure for initiating proceedings under W.S. 7-3-506 through 7-3-511 or criminal proceedings and the importance of preserving evidence; and

 

(iii) Providing or arranging for transportation of the victim to a medical facility or place of shelter.

 

(c) Any law enforcement agency or officer responding to a request for assistance under W.S. 7-3-506 through 7-3-511 is immune from civil liability when complying with the request, provided that the agency or officer acts in good faith and in a reasonable manner.

 

ARTICLE 6 - COMMUNICATION INTERCEPTION

 

7-3-601. Repealed By Laws 2001, Ch. 140, 2.

 

 

7-3-602. Repealed By Laws 2001, Ch. 140, 2.

 

 

7-3-603. Repealed By Laws 2001, Ch. 140, 2.

 

 

7-3-604. Repealed By Laws 2001, Ch. 140, 2.

 

7-3-605. Repealed By Laws 2001, Ch. 140, 2.

 

 

7-3-606. Repealed By Laws 2001, Ch. 140, 2.

 

 

7-3-607. Repealed By Laws 2001, Ch. 140, 2.

 

7-3-608. Repealed By Laws 2001, Ch. 140, 2.

 

 

7-3-609. Repealed By Laws 2001, Ch. 140, 2.

 

 

7-3-610. Repealed By Laws 2001, Ch. 140, 2.

 

7-3-611. Repealed By Laws 2001, Ch. 140, 2.

 

ARTICLE 7 - COMMUNICATION INTERCEPTION

 

7-3-701. Definitions.

 

(a) As used in this act:

 

(i) "Aggrieved person" means any person who was a party to any oral, wire or electronic communication intercept as defined in this act, or a person against whom the interception was directed;

 

(ii) "Aural transfer" means a transfer containing the human voice at any point between and including the point of origin and the point of reception;

 

(iii) "Communication common carrier" shall have the same meaning which is given the term "common carrier" by 47 U.S.C. 153(10);

 

(iv) "Contents" when used with respect to any oral, wire or electronic communication includes any information concerning the meaning, substance or purport of the communication;

 

(v) "Electronic communication" means any transfer of signs, signals, writing, images, sounds, data or intelligence of any nature transmitted in whole or in part by a wire, radio, electromagnetic, photoelectronic or photooptical system that affects interstate or foreign commerce but does not include:

 

(A) Any wire or oral communication;

 

(B) Any communication made through a tone-only paging device;

 

(C) Any communication made through a tracking device as defined in 18 U.S.C. 3117; or

 

(D) Electronic funds transfer information stored by a financial institution in a communications system used for the electronic storage and transfer of funds.

 

(vi) "Electronic communication service" means any service which provides to users thereof the ability to send or receive wire or electronic communications;

 

(vii) "Electronic communications system" means any wire, radio, electromagnetic, photooptical or photoelectronic facilities for the transmission of electronic communications, and any computer facilities or related electronic equipment for the electronic storage of those communications;

 

(viii) "Electronic, mechanical or other device" means any device or apparatus which can be used to intercept a wire, oral or electronic communication, other than:

 

(A) Any telephone or telegraph instrument, equipment or facility or component thereof, used in the ordinary course of business or by a peace officer in the ordinary course of his duties; or

 

(B) A hearing aid or similar device being used to correct subnormal hearing to not better than normal.

 

(ix) "Intercept" means the aural or other acquisition of the contents of any oral, wire or electronic communication by use of an electronic, mechanical or other device;

 

(x) "Judge of competent jurisdiction" means a judge of a district court;

 

(xi) "Oral communication" means any oral communication uttered by a person who reasonably expects and circumstances justify the expectation that the communication is not subject to interception but does not include any electronic communication;

 

(xii) "Peace officer" means any peace officer included in W.S. 7-2-101(a)(iv)(A), (B) or (D), other than members of a college or university police force, and includes any law enforcement officer with federal criminal enforcement jurisdiction;

 

(xiii) "Provider of wire or electronic communication service" means any person who provides a service which consists of communications by wire, radio, electronic, laser or other transmission of energy;

 

(xiv) "Readily accessible to the general public" means, with respect to a radio communication, that the communication is not:

 

(A) Scrambled or encrypted;

 

(B) Transmitted using modulation techniques whose essential parameters have been withheld from the public with the intention of preserving the privacy of the communication;

 

(C) Carried on a subcarrier or other signal subsidiary to a radio transmission;

 

(D) Transmitted over a communication system provided by a common carrier, unless the communication is a tone only paging system communication; or

 

(E) Transmitted on frequencies allocated under part 25, subpart D, E, or F of part 74, or part 94 of the rules of the federal communications commission, unless, in the case of a communication transmitted on a frequency allocated under part 74 that is not exclusively allocated to broadcast auxiliary services, the communication is a two-way voice communication by radio.

 

(xv) "User" means any person or entity who:

 

(A) Uses an electronic communication service; and

 

(B) Is duly authorized by the provider of the service to engage in the use.

 

(xvi) "Wire communication" means any aural transfer made in whole or in part through the use of facilities for the transmission of communications by the aid of wire, cable or other like connection, including the use of such connection in a switching station, between the point of origin and the point of reception, furnished or operated by any person engaged in providing or operating such facilities for the transmission of intrastate, interstate or foreign communications, and includes any electronic storage of such communication;

 

(xvii) "This act" means W.S. 7-3-701 through 7-3-712.

 

7-3-702. Prohibition against interception or disclosure of wire, oral or electronic communications; exceptions; penalties.

 

(a) Except as provided in subsection (b) of this section, no person shall intentionally:

 

(i) Intercept, attempt to intercept, or procure any other person to intercept or attempt to intercept any wire, oral or electronic communication;

 

(ii) Use, attempt to use, or procure any other person to use or attempt to use any electronic, mechanical or other device to intercept any oral communication when:

 

(A) Such device is affixed to, or otherwise transmits a signal through, a wire, cable or other like connection used in wire communication; or

 

(B) Such device transmits communications by radio or interferes with the transmission of such communication.

 

(iii) Disclose or attempt to disclose to another person the contents of any wire, oral or electronic communication, knowing or having reason to know that the information was obtained through the interception of a wire, oral or electronic communication in violation of this section;

 

(iv) Use or attempt to use the contents of any wire, oral or electronic communication knowing or having reason to know that the information was obtained through the interception of a wire, oral or electronic communication in violation of this section;

 

(v) Disclose, or attempt to disclose, to any other person the contents of any wire, oral or electronic communication, intercepted by means authorized by this act:

 

(A) Knowing or having reason to know that the information was obtained through the interception of such a communication in connection with a criminal investigation;

 

(B) Having obtained or received the information in connection with a criminal investigation; and

 

(C) With intent to improperly obstruct, impede or interfere with a duly authorized criminal investigation.

 

(b) Nothing in subsection (a) of this section prohibits:

 

(i) An operator of a switchboard, or an officer, employee or agent of a wire or electronic communication service whose facilities are used in the transmission of a wire communication from intercepting, disclosing or using a wire or electronic communication intercepted in the normal course of that person's employment while engaged in any activity which is a necessary incident to the rendition of his service or to the protection of the rights or property of the provider of that service, except that a provider of wire communication service to the public shall not utilize service observing or random monitoring except for mechanical or service quality control checks;

 

(ii) An officer, employee or agent of any provider of wire or electronic communications service, landlords, custodians or other persons from providing information, facilities or technical assistance to a peace officer who is authorized pursuant to this act to intercept a wire, oral or electronic communication if any such person has been provided with a court order directing such assistance. No provider of wire or electronic communication service, officer, employee or agent thereof, or landlord, custodian or other specified person shall disclose the existence of any interception or surveillance or the device used to accomplish the interception or surveillance with respect to which the person has been furnished a court order under this act, except as may otherwise be required by legal process and then only after prior notification to the attorney general. Any such disclosure, shall render such person liable for the civil damages provided for in W.S. 7-3-710. No criminal or civil cause of action shall lie in any court against any provider of wire or electronic communication service, its officers, employees or agents, landlord, custodian or other specified person for providing information, facilities or assistance in accordance with the terms of a court order under this act;

 

(iii) An officer, employee or agent of the federal communications commission, in the normal course of his employment and in discharge of the monitoring responsibilities exercised by the commission in the enforcement of 47 U.S.C. 151 et seq., from intercepting a wire or electronic communication, or oral communication transmitted by radio, or disclosing or using the information thereby obtained;

 

(iv) Any person from intercepting an oral, wire or electronic communication where the person is a party to the communication or where one (1) of the parties to the communication has given prior consent to the interception unless the communication is intercepted for the purpose of committing any criminal or tortious act;

 

(v) A peace officer from intercepting, using or disclosing to another peace officer in the course of his official duties any wire, oral or electronic communication pursuant to an order permitting the interception under this act;

 

(vi) An employee of a telephone company from intercepting a wire communication for the sole purpose of tracing the origin of the communication upon request by the recipient of the communication who alleges that the communication is obscene, harassing or threatening in nature. The person conducting the interception shall notify local law enforcement authorities of the interception within forty-eight (48) hours;

 

(vii) A person from intercepting or accessing an electronic communication made through an electronic communication system that is configured so that the electronic communication is readily accessible to the general public;

 

(viii) A person from intercepting any radio communication which is transmitted:

 

(A) By any station for the use of the general public, or that relates to ships, aircraft, vehicles or persons in distress;

 

(B) By any governmental, law enforcement, civil defense, private land mobile or public safety communications system, including police and fire, readily accessible to the general public;

 

(C) By a station operating on an authorized frequency within the bands allocated to the amateur, citizens band or general mobile radio services; or

 

(D) By any marine or aeronautical communications system.

 

(ix) A person from intercepting any wire or electronic communication the transmission of which is causing harmful interference to any lawfully operating station or consumer electronic equipment, to the extent necessary to identify the source of such interference;

 

(x) Other users of the same frequency to intercept any radio communication made through a system that utilizes frequencies monitored by individuals engaged in the provision or the use of the system, if the communication is not scrambled or encrypted; or

 

(xi) Conduct described in this paragraph unless the conduct is for the purposes of direct or indirect commercial advantage or private financial gain. Conduct that consists of or relates to the interception of a satellite transmission that is not encrypted or scrambled and that is transmitted:

 

(A) To a broadcasting station for purposes of retransmission to the general public; or

 

(B) As an audio subcarrier intended for redistribution to facilities open to the public, but not including data transmissions or telephone calls.

 

(c) It shall not be unlawful under this act:

 

(i) To use a pen register or a trap and trace device authorized by article 8 of this chapter; or

 

(ii) For a provider of electronic communication service to record the fact that a wire or electronic communication was initiated or completed in order to protect such provider, another provider furnishing service toward the completion of the wire or electronic communication, or a user of that service, from fraudulent, unlawful or abusive use of such service.

 

(d) Except as provided in subsection (e) of this section, a person or entity providing an electronic communication service to the public shall not intentionally divulge the contents of any communication (other than one to such person or entity, or an agent thereof) while in transmission on that service to any person or entity other than an addressee or intended recipient of such communication or an agent of such addressee or intended recipient.

 

(e) A person or entity providing electronic communication service to the public may divulge the contents of any such communication:

 

(i) As otherwise authorized in W.S. 7-3-702(b)(i), (ii) or 7-3-706;

 

(ii) With the lawful consent of the originator or any addressee or intended recipient of such communication;

 

(iii) To a person employed or authorized, or whose facilities are used, to forward such communication to its destination; or

 

(iv) Which were inadvertently obtained by the service provider and which appear to pertain to the commission of a crime, if such divulgence is made to a law enforcement agency.

 

(f) Except as otherwise provided in this subsection, any person who violates this section is guilty of a felony punishable by a fine of not more than one thousand dollars ($1,000.00), imprisonment for not more than five (5) years, or both. If the intercepted communication is the radio portion of a cellular telephone communication, a cordless telephone communication that is transmitted between the cordless handset and the base unit, a public land mobile radio service communication or a paging service communication, a violation of this section is a misdemeanor punishable by a fine of not more than seven hundred fifty dollars ($750.00), imprisonment for not more than six (6) months, or both.

 

7-3-703. Prohibition against manufacture and possession of wire, oral or electronic communication intercepting devices; exceptions; penalties.

 

(a) Except as provided in subsection (b) of this section, no person shall intentionally manufacture, assemble, possess, sell or offer for sale any electronic, mechanical or other device, knowing or having reason to know that the design of the device renders it primarily useful for the purpose of the surreptitious interception of wire, oral or electronic communications.

 

(b) Nothing in subsection (a) of this section prohibits an officer, agent, employee of or person under contract with or bidding upon contract with a provider of wire or electronic communication services, the United States, a state or a political subdivision thereof, in the normal course of the activities of the United States, a state or a political subdivision thereof, to send through the mail, send or carry in interstate or foreign commerce, or manufacture, assemble, possess or sell any electronic, mechanical or other device, knowing or having reason to know that the design of the device renders it primarily useful for the purpose of the surreptitious interception of wire, oral or electronic communications.

 

(c) Nothing in subsection (a) of this section shall prohibit the manufacture, possession or use of an electronic or mechanical device to access a communication system that is configured so that the communication is readily accessible to the public.

 

(d) Any person who violates this section is guilty of a felony punishable as provided in W.S. 7-3-702(f) for felony violations.

 

7-3-704. Seizure and forfeiture of wire or oral communication intercepting devices.

 

Any electronic, mechanical or other device manufactured, assembled, used, sold or possessed in violation of this act may be seized by any peace officer upon process issued by any district court or district court commissioner having jurisdiction over the property, or without process if the seizure is incident to an arrest or a search under a search warrant or if the peace officer seizing the device has probable cause to believe the property was used or is intended to be used in violation of this act. Devices subject to seizure under this act are contraband subject to forfeiture in accordance with law.

 

7-3-705. Authorization for interception of wire, oral or electronic communications.

 

(a) The attorney general or the district attorney within whose jurisdiction the order is sought in conjunction with the attorney general, may authorize an application to a judge of competent jurisdiction for an order authorizing the interception of wire, oral or electronic communications by the Wyoming division of criminal investigation, federal criminal law enforcement agency or any law enforcement agency of the state having responsibility for investigation of the offense for which the application is made, if the interception may provide evidence of an attempt to commit, conspiracy to commit, solicitation to commit or the commission of any of the following felony offenses or comparable crimes in any other jurisdiction:

 

(i) Violations of the Wyoming Controlled Substances Act of 1971;

 

(ii) Any of the following, if incident to or discovered during investigation of a violation of the Wyoming Controlled Substances Act of 1971:

 

(A) Murder as defined in W.S. 6-2-101 and 6-2-104;

 

(B) Kidnapping or related felony offense as defined in W.S. 6-2-201, 6-2-202 and 6-2-204;

 

(C) First or second degree sexual assault as defined in W.S. 6-2-302 and 6-2-303;

 

(D) Robbery as defined in W.S. 6-2-401;

 

(E) Blackmail as defined in W.S. 6-2-402;

 

(F) Burglary as defined in W.S. 6-3-301; or

 

(G) Felony larceny or related felony offense defined in W.S. 6-3-401 through 6-3-410.

 

7-3-706. Authorization for disclosure and use of intercepted communications.

 

(a) Any peace officer who, by any means authorized by this act, has obtained knowledge of the contents of any wire, oral or electronic communication, or evidence derived therefrom, may disclose such contents to another peace officer to the extent that the disclosure is appropriate to the proper performance of the official duties of the officer making or receiving the disclosure.

 

(b) Any peace officer who, by any means authorized by this act, has obtained knowledge of the contents of any wire, oral or electronic communication or evidence derived therefrom may use such contents to the extent the use is appropriate to the proper performance of his official duties.

 

(c) Any person who has received, by any means authorized by this act, any information concerning a wire, oral or electronic communication, or evidence derived therefrom intercepted in accordance with the provisions of this act, may disclose the contents of that communication or the derivative evidence while giving testimony under oath or affirmation in any proceeding held under the authority of the state or political subdivision thereof.

 

7-3-707. Procedure for interception of wire, oral or electronic communications.

 

(a) Each application for an order authorizing the interception of wire, oral or electronic communications shall be made in writing upon oath or affirmation to a judge of competent jurisdiction and shall state the applicant's authority under W.S. 7-3-705(a) to make the application. Each application shall include the following information:

 

(i) The identity of the peace officer making the application and of the officer authorizing the application;

 

(ii) A full and complete statement of the facts and circumstances relied upon by the applicant to justify his belief that an order should be issued, including:

 

(A) Specific facts concerning the particular offense that is being investigated;

 

(B) Except as provided in subsection (t) of this section, a particular description of the nature and location of the facilities from which, or the place where, the communication is to be intercepted;

 

(C) A particular description of the type of communication sought to be intercepted;

 

(D) The identity of the person or persons, if known, who are suspected of committing the offense and whose communications are to be intercepted.

 

(iii) A full and complete statement as to whether or not other investigative procedures have been tried and have failed, or why they reasonably appear to be unlikely to succeed or would be too dangerous;

 

(iv) A statement of the required duration of the interception. If the nature of the investigation will require that the interception not automatically terminate when the described type of communication has been first obtained, the application shall state a particular description of facts sufficient to establish probable cause to believe that additional communications of the same type will occur after the initial interception;

 

(v) A full and complete statement by the applicant concerning all previous applications known to the individual authorizing and making the application to have been made to any judge:

 

(A) For permission to intercept wire, oral or electronic communications involving any of the same persons, facilities or places specified in the application; and

 

(B) Action taken by the judge on each previous application.

 

(vi) If the application is for extension of an order, a complete statement shall be made setting forth the results thus far obtained from the interception or a reasonable explanation of the failure to obtain any results.

 

(b) The judge may require the applicant to furnish additional testimony or documentary evidence in support of the application.

 

(c) Upon an application, the judge may issue an ex parte order, as requested or modified, authorizing interception of wire, oral or electronic communications within the territorial jurisdiction of the court in which the judge is sitting, and outside that jurisdiction but within the state of Wyoming in the case of a mobile interception device authorized by a district court within such district, if the judge determines on the basis of the facts submitted by the applicant that:

 

(i) There is probable cause for belief that the named person is committing or has committed any of the offenses enumerated in W.S. 7-3-705;

 

(ii) There is probable cause for belief that particular communications concerning those offenses will be intercepted;

 

(iii) Normal investigative procedures have been tried and have failed, or reasonably appear to be unlikely to succeed or would be too dangerous;

 

(iv) Except as provided in subsection (u) of this section, there is probable cause for belief that the facilities from which, or the place where, the wire, oral or electronic communications are to be intercepted is or is about to be used in connection with any of the offenses enumerated in W.S. 7-3-705 or is leased to, listed in the name of or used by the person suspected in the commission of any enumerated offense.

 

(d) Each order authorizing interception of wire, oral or electronic communications shall specify:

 

(i) The identity of the person or persons, if known, whose communications are to be intercepted;

 

(ii) The nature and location of the communications facilities as to which, or place where the authority to intercept is granted;

 

(iii) A particular description of the type of communication sought to be intercepted and a statement of the particular offense or offenses to which it relates;

 

(iv) The period of time during which an interception is authorized including a statement as to whether or not the interception shall automatically terminate when the described communication is first obtained;

 

(v) The identity of the agency authorized to intercept the communications and of the person authorizing the application.

 

(e) No order entered under this section may authorize the interception of any wire, oral or electronic communication for any period longer than is necessary to achieve the objective of the authorization, or in any event no longer than thirty (30) days unless extended under subsection (f) of this section. The thirty (30) day period provided by this subsection begins on the earlier of the day on which the peace officer first begins to conduct an interception under the order or ten (10) days after the order is entered.

 

(f) Extensions of an order may be granted upon an application for extension made in accordance with subsection (a) of this section and upon the findings required by subsection (c) of this section. The period of the extension shall be no longer than the authorizing judge deems necessary to achieve the purposes for which it was granted and in any event no longer than thirty (30) days.

 

(g) Every order and extension thereof shall contain a provision that the authorization to intercept shall be executed as soon as practicable, and that the execution of the permission shall be conducted in such a way as to minimize the interception of communications not otherwise subject to interception under this act. Every order or extension thereof shall also provide that the interception terminate upon attainment of the objective, or in any event in thirty (30) days.

 

(h) Whenever an order authorizing interception is entered pursuant to this act, the order may require reports to be made to the judge issuing the order, stating the progress which has been made toward achievement of the authorized objective and the need for continued interception. The reports shall be made at intervals as the judge may require.

 

(j) The contents of any wire, oral or electronic communication intercepted shall, if possible, be recorded on tape, electronic, wire, computer storage media or other comparable device. The recording shall be performed to protect it from editing or other alterations. Immediately upon expiration of the period of the order, or extension thereof, the recording shall be submitted to the judge issuing the order and shall be sealed under his directions. Custody of the recordings shall be wherever the judge orders. A recording shall not be destroyed except upon an order of the judge, and in any event shall be kept for ten (10) years. Duplicate recordings may be made for use or disclosure pursuant to the provisions of this section. The presence of the seal provided for by this subsection, or a satisfactory explanation for its absence, is a prerequisite for the use or disclosure of the contents of any wire or oral communication or evidence derived therefrom.

 

(k) Applications made and orders granted under this act shall be sealed by the judge. Custody of the sealed applications and orders shall be maintained at the direction of the judge. The applications and orders shall be disclosed only upon a showing of good cause before a judge and shall not be destroyed except upon order of the judge to whom the application was presented, and in any event shall be kept for ten (10) years. Any information obtained pursuant to a court order permitting interception of wire, oral or electronic communications shall not be used, published or divulged except in accordance with the provisions of this act. Any violations of the provisions of this subsection or subsection (j) of this section may be punished as contempt of the issuing or denying judge.

 

(m) Within a reasonable time, but not later than ninety (90) days after the denial of an application or the termination of the period of an order authorizing interception or extension thereof, the judge shall cause to be served upon each person named in the order or application and any other person the judge determines as in the interest of justice, notice of the following:

 

(i) That an order or application has been entered under this section;

 

(ii) The date of the entry and the period of permitted interception or the denial of the application; and

 

(iii) Whether wire, oral or electronic communications were or were not intercepted.

 

(n) The judge, upon the filing of a motion, may, in his discretion, make available to the person or his counsel for inspection any portion of the intercepted communications, applications and orders as the judge determines to be in the interest of justice. On an ex parte showing of good cause to a judge of competent jurisdiction, the service of the matter required by subsection (m) of this section may be postponed.

 

(o) The contents of any wire, oral or electronic communication intercepted pursuant to this section or evidence derived from that communication shall not be received in evidence or otherwise disclosed in any trial, hearing or other proceeding unless the party offering the evidence, not less than twenty (20) days before the trial, hearing or proceeding, gives notice to the court or hearing officer and all other parties. The court may then order disclosure of the court order and accompanying application. If the order of interception and accompanying application has previously been disclosed, the offering party may furnish all other parties with the order of interception and accompanying application without further order of the court or hearing officer upon proper notice. This twenty (20) day period may be waived by the court or hearing officer if it finds that it was not possible to furnish the party with the information twenty (20) days before the trial, hearing or proceeding and that no party will be prejudiced by the delay in receiving the information.

 

(p) The contents of any intercepted wire, oral or electronic communication or evidence derived therefrom shall not be admitted as evidence in any trial, hearing or other proceeding in this state unless the interception was performed in accordance with this act.

 

(q) No otherwise privileged wire, oral or electronic communication intercepted in accordance with or in violation of this act shall lose its privileged character, unless the communications are in furtherance of a criminal act in violation of the laws of the United States or this state.

 

(r) When a peace officer, while engaged in intercepting wire, oral or electronic communications relating to an offense specified in the order permitting interception, intercepts wire, oral or electronic communications relating to an offense other than those specified in the order, the contents thereof, and evidence derived therefrom, may be disclosed or used only if the offense constitutes a felony under the laws of the United States or this state. If the communication concerns an enumerated offense listed in W.S. 7-3-705, the agency executing the order of interception shall apply to the issuing court for an expansion of the order of interception pursuant to paragraph (a)(ii) of this section. The application shall be made as soon as practicable.

 

(s) In the event an intercepted communication is in a code or a foreign language, and an expert in that code or foreign language is not reasonably available during the interception period, any minimization required under this section shall be accomplished as soon as practicable after the interception.

 

(t) The requirements of subparagraph (a)(ii)(B) and paragraph (c)(iv) of this section relating to the specification of the facilities from which, or the place where, the communication is to be intercepted do not apply if:

 

(i) In the case of an application with respect to the interception of an oral communication:

 

(A) The application contains a full and complete statement as to why such specification is not practical and identifies the person committing the offense and whose communications are to be intercepted; and

 

(B) The judge finds that such specification is not practical.

 

(ii) In the case of an application with respect to a wire or electronic communication:

 

(A) The application identifies the person believed to be committing the offense and whose communications are to be intercepted and the applicant makes a showing that there is probable cause to believe that the person's actions could have the effect of thwarting interception from a specified facility;

 

(B) The judge finds that such showing has been adequately made; and

 

(C) The order authorizing the interception is limited to interception only for such time as it is reasonable to presume that the person identified in the application is or was reasonably proximate to the instrument through which such communication will be or was transmitted.

 

(u) An interception of a communication under an order with respect to which the requirements of subparagraph (a)(ii)(B) and paragraph (c)(iv) of this section do not apply by reason of paragraph (t)(i) of this section shall not begin until the place where the communication is to be intercepted is ascertained by the person implementing the interception order. A provider of wire or electronic communications service that has received an order as provided for in paragraph (t)(ii) of this section may move the court to modify or quash the order on the ground that its assistance with respect to the interception cannot be performed in a timely or reasonable fashion. The court, upon notice to the prosecuting authority, shall decide such a motion expeditiously.

 

7-3-708. Order directing others to furnish assistance.

 

An order permitting the interception of a wire, oral or electronic communication shall, upon request of the applicant, direct that a provider of wire or electronic communication service, landlord, custodian or other person shall immediately furnish the applicant all information, facilities and technical assistance necessary to accomplish the interception unobtrusively and with a minimum of interference with the services that the service provider, landlord, custodian or other person is supplying the person whose communication is to be intercepted. Any provider of wire or electronic communication service, landlord, custodian or other person furnishing these facilities or technical assistance shall be compensated therefor by the applicant for reasonable expenses incurred in providing the facilities or assistance.

 

7-3-709. Information furnished to attorney general by executing agency; report to legislature.

 

(a) Upon final execution of an order of interception, the executing agency shall furnish the following information within ten (10) working days to the attorney general:

 

(i) The fact that an order or extension was applied for, information as to the number of orders, extensions and expansions made by the court including:

 

(A) Whether or not the order was one with respect to which the requirements of W.S. 7-3-707(a)(ii)(B) and (c)(iv) did not apply by reason of W.S. 7-3-707(t);

 

(B) The fact that the order or extension was granted as applied for, was modified or was denied;

 

(C) The period of interceptions authorized by the order, and the number and duration of any extensions of the order; and

 

(D) The identity of the applying peace officer and agency making the application and the person authorizing the application.

 

(ii) Each offense specified in the application order or extension of an order;

 

(iii) The nature of the facilities from which or the place where communications were to be intercepted;

 

(iv) A general description of the interceptions made under any order or extension, including the approximate nature and frequency of incriminating communications intercepted and approximate nature and frequency of other communications intercepted, the number of persons whose communications were intercepted and the nature, amount and cost of the manpower and other resources used in the interceptions.

 

(b) The prosecuting authority or investigating law enforcement agency shall report to the attorney general by April 1, for the preceding calendar year in which an order was applied for under this act:

 

(i) The number of arrests resulting from interceptions made under the order or extension and the offenses for which arrests were made;

 

(ii) The number of trials resulting from such interceptions;

 

(iii) The number of motions to suppress made with respect to such interceptions, and the number granted or denied; and

 

(iv) The number of convictions resulting from such interceptions and the offenses for which the convictions were obtained and a general assessment of the importance of the interceptions.

 

(c) The attorney general shall report to the joint judiciary interim committee no later than July 1 of each year. The report shall contain the information required by subsections (a) and (b) of this section.

 

7-3-710. Recovery of civil damages for violations; good faith defense.

 

(a) Subject to W.S. 7-3-702(b)(ii), any person whose wire, oral or electronic communication is intercepted, disclosed or used in violation of this act may recover damages against any person who intercepts, discloses, uses or procures any other person to intercept, disclose or use the communications as follows:

 

(i) Actual damages but not less than one thousand dollars ($1,000.00) a day for each day of violation;

 

(ii) Punitive damages; and

 

(iii) Reasonable attorney's fees and other litigation costs reasonably incurred.

 

(b) A good faith reliance on a court order constitutes a complete defense to any civil or criminal action brought under this act.

 

7-3-711. Exclusivity of provisions.

 

This act shall be the exclusive means by which any interception of wire, oral or electronic communications may be permitted for investigation of the violation of any law, statute or ordinance of the state of Wyoming or any local, municipal or other governmental unit.

 

7-3-712. Reports by attorney general and state courts.

 

The attorney general and Wyoming courts shall report to the administrative office of the United States courts pursuant to 18 U.S.C. 2519.

 

ARTICLE 8 - PEN REGISTERS

 

7-3-801. Definitions.

 

(a) As used in this act:

 

(i) "Attorney for the state" means the attorney general or his designee, or district attorney;

 

(ii) "Court of competent jurisdiction" means a district court;

 

(iii) "Peace officer" means as defined in W.S. 7-3-701;

 

(iv) "Pen register" means a device which identifies on hook and off hook conditions and records or decodes electronic or other impulses which identify the numbers dialed or otherwise transmitted on the telephone line to which the device is attached, but the term does not include any device used by a provider or customer of a wire or electronic communication service for billing, or recording as an incident to billing, for communications services provided by the provider or any device used by a provider or customer of a wire communication service for cost accounting or other like purposes in the ordinary course of its business;

 

(v) "Trap and trace device" means a device which captures the incoming electronic or other impulses which identify the originating number of an instrument or device from which a wire or electronic communication was transmitted;

 

(vi) "Wire communication", "electronic communication" and "electronic communication service" have the same meanings set forth in W.S. 7-3-701;

 

(vii) "This act" means W.S. 7-3-801 through 7-3-806.

 

7-3-802. General prohibition on pen register and trap and trace device use; exception.

 

(a) Except as provided in this section, no person may install or use a pen register or a trap and trace device without first obtaining a court order under W.S. 7-3-804.

 

(b) The prohibition of subsection (a) of this section does not apply with respect to the use of a pen register or a trap and trace device by a provider of electronic or wire communication service:

 

(i) Relating to the operation, maintenance and testing of a wire or electronic communication service or to the protection of the rights or property of such provider, or to the protection of users of that service from abuse of service or unlawful use of service;

 

(ii) To record the fact that a wire or electronic communication was initiated or completed in order to protect such provider, another provider furnishing service toward the completion of the wire communication, or a user of that service, from fraudulent, unlawful or abusive use of service; or

 

(iii) Where the consent of the user of that service has been obtained.

 

(c) A state or local agency authorized to install and use a pen register under this act shall use technology reasonably available to it that restricts the recording or decoding of electronic or other impulses to the dialing and signaling information utilized in call processing.

 

(d) Whoever knowingly violates subsection (a) of this section shall be fined not more than one thousand dollars ($1,000.00), imprisoned not more than one (1) year, or both.

 

7-3-803. Application for an order for a pen register or a trap and trace device.

 

(a) An attorney for the state may make application for an order or an extension of an order under W.S. 7-3-804 authorizing the installation and use of a pen register or a trap and trace device under this act, in writing under oath or equivalent affirmation, to a court of competent jurisdiction only for investigations of violations of the Wyoming Controlled Substances Act of 1971.

 

(b) An application under subsection (a) of this section shall include:

 

(i) The identity of the attorney for the state, making the application and the identity of the law enforcement agency conducting the investigation; and

 

(ii) A certification by the applicant that the information likely to be obtained is relevant to an ongoing investigation of a violation of the Wyoming Controlled Substances Act of 1971 being conducted by that agency.

 

7-3-804. Issuance of an order for a pen register or a trap and trace device.

 

(a) Upon an application made under W.S. 7-3-803, the court shall enter an ex parte order authorizing the installation and use of a pen register or a trap and trace device within the state if the court finds that the attorney for the state has certified to the court that the information likely to be obtained by such installation and use is relevant to an ongoing investigation of a violation of the Wyoming Controlled Substances Act of 1971.

 

(b) An order issued under this section:

 

(i) Shall specify:

 

(A) The identity, if known, of the person to whom is leased or in whose name is listed the telephone line to which the pen register or trap and trace device is to be attached;

 

(B) The identity, if known, of the person who is the subject of the criminal investigation;

 

(C) The number and, if known, physical location of the telephone line to which the pen register or trap and trace device is to be attached and, in the case of a trap and trace device, the geographic limits of the trap and trace order; and

 

(D) A statement of the offense to which the information likely to be obtained by the pen register or trap and trace device relates.

 

(ii) Shall direct, upon the request of the applicant, the furnishing of information, facilities, and technical assistance necessary to accomplish the installation of the pen register or trap and trace device under W.S. 7-3-805.

 

(c) An order issued under this section shall authorize the installation and use of a pen register or a trap and trace device for a period not to exceed sixty (60) days. Extensions of the order may be granted, but only upon an application for an extension meeting the requirements of W.S. 7-3-803 and upon the judicial finding required by subsection (a) of this section. Each period of extension shall be for a period not to exceed sixty (60) days.

 

(d) An order authorizing the installation and use of a pen register or a trap and trace device shall direct that:

 

(i) The order be sealed until otherwise ordered by the court; and

 

(ii) The person owning or leasing the line to which the pen register or a trap and trace device is attached, or who has been ordered by the court to provide assistance to the applicant, not disclose the existence of the pen register or trap and trace device or the existence of the investigation to the listed subscriber, or to any other person, unless or until otherwise ordered by the court.

 

7-3-805. Assistance in installation and use of a pen register or a trap and trace device.

 

(a) Upon the request of an attorney for the state or an officer of a law enforcement agency authorized to install and use a pen register under this act, a provider of wire or electronic communication service, landlord, custodian or other person shall furnish such investigative or peace officer forthwith all information, facilities, and technical assistance necessary to accomplish the installation of the pen register unobtrusively and with a minimum of interference with the services that the person so ordered by the court accords the party with respect to whom the installation and use is to take place, if such assistance is directed by a court order as provided in W.S. 7-3-804(b)(ii).

 

(b) Upon the request of an attorney for the state or an officer of a law enforcement agency authorized to receive the results of a trap and trace device under this act, a provider of a wire or electronic communication service, landlord, custodian or other person shall install such device forthwith on the appropriate line and shall furnish such investigative or peace officer all additional information, facilities and technical assistance including installation and operation of the device unobtrusively and with a minimum of interference with the services that the person so ordered by the court accords the party with respect to whom the installation and use is to take place, if such installation and assistance is directed by a court order as provided in W.S. 7-3-804(b)(ii). Unless otherwise ordered by the court, the results of the trap and trace device shall be furnished, pursuant to W.S. 7-3-804(b), to the officer of a law enforcement agency, designated in the court order, at reasonable intervals during regular business hours for the duration of the order.

 

(c) A provider of a wire or electronic communication service, landlord, custodian or other person who furnishes facilities or technical assistance pursuant to this section shall be reasonably compensated for such reasonable expenses incurred in providing such facilities and assistance.

 

(d) No cause of action shall lie in any court against any provider of a wire or electronic communication service, its officers, employees, agents or other specified persons for providing information, facilities or assistance in accordance with the terms of a court order under this act.

 

(e) A good faith reliance on a court order under this act, a legislative authorization, or a statutory authorization is a complete defense against any civil or criminal action brought under this act or any other law.

 

7-3-806. Reports concerning pen registers and trap and trace devices.

 

The attorney general shall annually report to the joint judiciary interim committee on the number of pen register orders and orders for trap and trace devices applied for under this act. The report shall be provided no later than July 1 of each year.

 

ARTICLE 9 - LAW ENFORCEMENT INTERSTATE MUTUAL AID

 

7-3-901. Short title.

 

This act shall be known and may be cited as the "Law Enforcement Interstate Mutual Aid Act."

 

7-3-902. Definitions.

 

(a) When used in this act, unless the context requires otherwise, the following definitions apply:

 

(i) "Law enforcement agency" means a lawfully established federal, state or local public agency that is responsible for the prevention and detection of crime and the enforcement of penal, traffic, regulatory or criminal laws;

 

(ii) "Law enforcement agency of an adjoining state" includes a law enforcement agency of an adjoining state and any political subdivision of that state;

 

(iii) "Law enforcement employee of an adjoining state" means an employee of a law enforcement agency trained and certified in accordance with the laws of the state or jurisdiction where regularly employed by the United States, an adjoining state or political subdivision;

 

(iv) "Mutual aid agreement" or "an agreement" means an agreement between two (2) or more law enforcement agencies consistent with the purposes of this act;

 

(v) "Party law enforcement agency" means a law enforcement agency that is a party to a mutual aid agreement as set forth in this act;

 

(vi) "Wyoming law enforcement agency" includes a sheriff, municipal, college or university police force, Wyoming highway patrol and the division of criminal investigation;

 

(vii) "Wyoming law enforcement employee" has the same meaning as "peace officer" as defined in W.S. 7-2-101 but does not include those officers specified in W.S. 7-2-101(a)(iv)(K);

 

(viii) "This act" means W.S. 7-3-901 through 7-3-910.

 

7-3-903. Authorization to enter agreement; general content; authority of law enforcement employee.

 

(a) Any one (1) or more law enforcement agencies of this state may enter into a mutual aid agreement with any one (1) or more law enforcement agencies of an adjoining state or the United States to render assistance in the provision of the law enforcement or emergency services that the requesting party is authorized by law to perform. Except as authorized by W.S. 7-3-904(b), any agreement under this act shall be limited to providing assistance in an emergency or special event as determined by the governor. The governor shall have emergency procedures in place for immediate approval of any mutual aid agreement, which may include oral authorization by the governor, subject to subsequent written agreement as provided by this act. If required by applicable law, the agreement shall be authorized and approved by the governing body of each party to the agreement.

 

(b) The written agreement shall fully set forth the powers, rights and obligations of the parties to the agreement.

 

(c) A mutual aid agreement may grant a law enforcement employee or officer of any party law enforcement agency acting within the territorial jurisdiction of any other party law enforcement agency authority to act as if he were a duly appointed and qualified law enforcement employee or officer of the law enforcement agency he is assisting.

 

7-3-904. Detailed content of agreement.

 

(a) Any written agreement under this act shall specify the following:

 

(i) Its duration, which shall be not more than four (4) years;

 

(ii) The purpose of the agreement;

 

(iii) The manner of financing the agreement and establishing and maintaining a budget therefor;

 

(iv) The method to be employed in accomplishing the partial or complete termination of the agreement and for disposing of property upon such partial or complete termination;

 

(v) Provision for administering the agreement, which may include creation of a joint board responsible for such administration;

 

(vi) The manner of acquiring, holding and disposing of real and personal property used in the agreement;

 

(vii) The minimum standards for law enforcement employees implementing the provisions of the agreement;

 

(viii) The respective liability of each party to the agreement for the actions of law enforcement employees when acting under the provisions of the agreement;

 

(ix) The minimum insurance, if any, required of each party to the agreement;

 

(x) The exact chain of command or delegation of authority to be followed by law enforcement employees acting under the provisions of the agreement;

 

(xi) The enforcement authority that the law enforcement employee of each party law enforcement agency may exercise;

 

(xii) Provisions for any specific immunities not listed in W.S. 7-3-910 and for defending law enforcement employees in civil litigation;

 

(xiii) Any other necessary and proper matters.

 

(b) The agreement may include specified emergency or special events for which the parties to the agreement and the governor concur that law enforcement may respond under the mutual aid agreement without the governor's authorization required under W.S. 7-3-903.

 

7-3-905. Right of state in actions involving agreements.

 

In any case or controversy involving performance or interpretation of, or liability under, a mutual aid agreement entered into between one (1) or more law enforcement agencies of this state or political subdivisions of this state and one (1) or more law enforcement agencies of an adjoining state or of the United States, the parties to the agreement are the real parties in interest.

 

7-3-906. Agreement not to relieve agency of duties.

 

No agreement made under this act may relieve any law enforcement agency of this state of any duty imposed upon it by law. Timely performance of such a duty by a joint board or other legal or administrative entity created by a mutual aid agreement may be offered in satisfaction of the duty.

 

7-3-907. Limitation of powers.

 

Except for the right granted by this act to jointly exercise powers, this act does not authorize any law enforcement agency of this state to exercise any power within this state that it is not otherwise authorized to exercise.

 

7-3-908. Submission of agreement to attorney general.

 

As a condition precedent to a written agreement becoming effective under this act, the agreement shall be submitted to and receive the approval of the attorney general. Except as provided by W.S. 7-3-903, no agreement shall become effective under this act until signed by the governor.

 

7-3-909. Filing of agreement.

 

Within twenty (20) days after approval by the attorney general, a written agreement made pursuant to this act shall be filed in the office of the secretary of state.

 

7-3-910. Immunity.

 

Whenever the employees of a law enforcement agency of an adjoining state are rendering aid pursuant to the request of a Wyoming law enforcement agency under an agreement pursuant to this act, the employees shall have the same powers, duties, rights, privileges and immunities as comparable Wyoming law enforcement employees as provided for in the agreement.

 

Disclaimer: These codes may not be the most recent version. Wyoming may have more current or accurate information. We make no warranties or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness, or adequacy of the information contained on this site or the information linked to on the state site. Please check official sources.

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.