Wyoming
Wyoming Assault and Battery Laws: Charges and Penalties (2026)
Independently fact-checked against primary sources (last audited October 14, 2026). · 4 primary sources cited on this page. How we verify our legal content
Wyoming treats assault and battery as two separate crimes, both defined in W.S. 6-2-501. Simple assault is an attempt to cause bodily injury and is punishable only by a fine, while battery is causing bodily injury by physical force and can carry jail time; a third offense in the same section, unlawful contact, covers rude, insolent or angry touching. Aggravated assault and battery (W.S. 6-2-502), intentionally and knowingly causing or attempting to cause bodily injury to a peace officer engaged in the lawful performance of official duties (W.S. 6-5-204(b)) and strangulation of a household member (W.S. 6-2-509) are felonies. For other states, see our guide to assault and battery laws by state.
Information last verified on 2026-10-13. This article has not been reviewed by a licensed lawyer.
Jurisdiction scope: This article covers the Wyoming assault and battery statutes in Title 6, chapter 2, article 5 of the Wyoming Statutes (W.S. 6-2-501, 6-2-502 and 6-2-508 to 6-2-511), the peace officer offense in W.S. 6-5-204, the Title 6 definitions and felony rules, and the civil filing period in W.S. 1-3-105. It does not cover self-defense and justification (see Wyoming self-defense laws), protection orders (see Wyoming restraining order laws), sexual offenses, child abuse and vulnerable adult offenses, federal assault crimes (see the hub) or city and county ordinances.
Assault vs. battery in Wyoming
Wyoming keeps the two crimes distinct. W.S. 6-2-501 provides:
"(a) A person is guilty of simple assault if, having the present ability to do so, he unlawfully attempts to cause bodily injury to another. (b) A person is guilty of battery if he intentionally, knowingly or recklessly causes bodily injury to another person by use of physical force."
Simple assault needs no contact, only an unlawful attempt by someone with the present ability to carry it out. Battery needs a bodily injury caused by physical force.
The same section adds a third offense for contact that falls short of battery. Under W.S. 6-2-501(g), a person is guilty of unlawful contact if he "(i) Touches another person in a rude, insolent or angry manner without intentionally using sufficient physical force to cause bodily injury to another; or (ii) Recklessly causes bodily injury to another person."
Is assault a felony in Wyoming?
Simple assault, battery and unlawful contact are misdemeanors. Wyoming does not use felony classes; W.S. 6-10-101 provides that "Crimes which may be punished by death or by imprisonment for more than one (1) year are felonies. All other crimes are misdemeanors." Each offense section states its own maximum.
An assault or battery becomes a felony under W.S. 6-2-502 (aggravated assault and battery), W.S. 6-5-204(b) (bodily injury or attempted bodily injury to a peace officer), W.S. 6-2-508(b) (intentional or knowing dangerous-substance conduct toward corrections or detention staff), W.S. 6-2-509 (strangulation of a household member) or W.S. 6-2-511(b)(iii) (domestic battery after two or more domestic battery convictions, or a domestic battery conviction and a listed or similar offense against another household member, within the previous 10 years).
Wyoming assault and battery offenses and penalties
| Offense | Statute | What it covers | Class | Statutory penalty range |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Simple assault | W.S. 6-2-501(a), (c) | Having the present ability to do so, unlawfully attempting to cause bodily injury to another | Misdemeanor | A fine up to $750 (no jail term stated) |
| Battery | W.S. 6-2-501(b), (d) | Intentionally, knowingly or recklessly causing bodily injury to another person by use of physical force | Misdemeanor | Up to 6 months, a fine up to $750, or both; probation may run up to 1 year |
| Unlawful contact | W.S. 6-2-501(g), (h) | Touching another person in a rude, insolent or angry manner without intentionally using enough force to cause bodily injury; or recklessly causing bodily injury | Misdemeanor | Up to 6 months, a fine up to $750, or both |
| Aggravated assault and battery | W.S. 6-2-502(a)(i)-(iv), (b)(i) | Causing or attempting serious bodily injury with extreme indifference to human life; causing or attempting bodily injury with a deadly weapon; threatening to use a drawn deadly weapon unless reasonably necessary in defense of person, property or abode or to prevent serious bodily injury to another; or causing bodily injury to a woman the person knows is pregnant | Felony | Up to 10 years; a fine up to $10,000 under 6-10-102 |
| Aggravated assault and battery (female genital mutilation of a person under 18) | W.S. 6-2-502(a)(v), (b)(ii) | Intentionally, knowingly or recklessly causing female genital mutilation to be performed on a person under 18 | Felony | 5 to 25 years |
| Bodily injury to a peace officer | W.S. 6-5-204(b) | Intentionally and knowingly causing or attempting to cause bodily injury to a peace officer engaged in the lawful performance of official duties | Felony | Up to 10 years |
| Assault and battery on a corrections or detention officer | W.S. 6-2-508(a), (c) | Recklessly propelling a dangerous substance at a corrections officer, detention officer or staff member acting in the course of official duty or as a result of official duties, or tampering with an item by contaminating it with a dangerous substance, in the circumstances the section lists | Misdemeanor | A fine up to $750, up to 6 months, or both |
| Aggravated assault and battery on a corrections or detention officer | W.S. 6-2-508(b), (d), (e) | The section's dangerous-substance conduct committed intentionally or knowingly | Felony | A fine up to $5,000, up to 5 years, or both; up to 10 more years if the person knows he has a contagious life-threatening disease and intends to infect |
| Strangulation of a household member | W.S. 6-2-509 | Intentionally and knowingly or recklessly causing or attempting to cause bodily injury to a household member by impeding normal breathing or blood circulation through pressure on the throat or neck or blocking the nose and mouth | Felony | Up to 10 years |
| Domestic assault | W.S. 6-2-510 | A household member who, having the present ability to do so, unlawfully attempts to cause bodily injury to another household member | Misdemeanor | Up to 6 months, a fine up to $750, or both; up to 1 year, a fine up to $750, or both, with a listed prior conviction |
| Domestic battery | W.S. 6-2-511(b)(i)-(ii) | A household member who knowingly or recklessly causes bodily injury to another household member by use of physical force | Misdemeanor | Up to 6 months, a fine up to $750, or both; up to 1 year, a fine up to $1,000, or both, with a listed prior conviction within 5 years |
| Domestic battery with qualifying prior convictions within 10 years | W.S. 6-2-511(b)(iii) | Domestic battery when, within the previous 10 years, the person has been convicted of domestic battery two or more times, or of domestic battery and a listed or similar offense against another household member | Felony | Up to 10 years, a fine up to $10,000, or both |
Every term in the table is a maximum written into the offense's own section ("not more than"), except the 5-year minimum for the female genital mutilation form. Where a felony section sets no fine, W.S. 6-10-102 provides that "the fine shall be not more than ten thousand dollars ($10,000.00)." For a misdemeanor without its own penalty, W.S. 6-10-103 sets up to six months in county jail, a fine of up to $750, or both. These are statutory maximums, not typical sentences. They are the ranges for the offense itself; W.S. 6-10-201 sets higher penalties for some repeat felony convictions, described below.
Definitions that decide the grade
W.S. 6-1-104(a) supplies the definitions used across Title 6, "unless otherwise defined":
- Bodily injury: "(A) A cut, abrasion, burn or temporary disfigurement; (B) Physical pain; or (C) Impairment of the function of a bodily member, organ or mental faculty." Physical pain alone is enough.
- Serious bodily injury: bodily injury which "(A) Creates a substantial risk of death; (B) Causes severe protracted physical pain; (C) Causes severe disfigurement or protracted loss or impairment of a bodily function; (D) Causes unconsciousness or a concussion resulting in protracted loss or impairment of the function of a bodily member, organ or mental faculty; (E) Causes burns of the second or third degree over a significant portion of the body; or (F) Causes a significant fracture or break of a bone."
- Deadly weapon: "but is not limited to a firearm, explosive or incendiary material, motorized vehicle, an animal or other device, instrument, material or substance, which in the manner it is used or is intended to be used is reasonably capable of producing death or serious bodily injury."
- Recklessly: "A person acts recklessly when he consciously disregards a substantial and unjustifiable risk that the harm he is accused of causing will occur, and the harm results. The risk shall be of such nature and degree that disregarding it constitutes a gross deviation from the standard of conduct that a reasonable person would observe in the situation."
Aggravated assault and battery in Wyoming
W.S. 6-2-502(a) lists the conduct. A person is guilty if he:
"(i) Causes or attempts to cause serious bodily injury to another intentionally, knowingly or recklessly under circumstances manifesting extreme indifference to the value of human life; (ii) Attempts to cause, or intentionally or knowingly causes bodily injury to another with a deadly weapon; (iii) Threatens to use a drawn deadly weapon on another unless reasonably necessary in defense of his person, property or abode or to prevent serious bodily injury to another; (iv) Intentionally, knowingly or recklessly causes bodily injury to a woman whom he knows is pregnant"
Paragraphs (i) through (iv) are punishable by up to 10 years. Paragraph (iv) does not require serious injury or a weapon: any bodily injury, as defined above, to a woman the person knows is pregnant meets it. Paragraph (v), causing female genital mutilation to be performed on a person under 18, carries 5 to 25 years.
Assault on a police officer or corrections officer in Wyoming
Peace officers. W.S. 6-5-204(b) provides: "A person who intentionally and knowingly causes or attempts to cause bodily injury to a peace officer engaged in the lawful performance of his official duties is guilty of a felony punishable by imprisonment for not more than ten (10) years." For that section only, "peace officer" has the meaning in W.S. 6-1-104(a)(vi) and also includes full-time department of corrections probation and parole agents and supervisors (6-5-204(d)). The 6-1-104(a)(vi) definition includes, among others, sheriffs, undersheriffs and deputy sheriffs, members of a municipal police force, a college or university campus police force or the Wyoming highway patrol, federal law enforcement agents, qualified detention officers when engaged in the performance of their duties, and full-time department of corrections correctional officers when engaged in the performance of their duties. In 2025, Enrolled Act SF0004 amended the definition with respect to park rangers and superintendents.
Corrections and detention staff. W.S. 6-2-508 covers dangerous substances. Under 6-2-508(a), a person who "recklessly" propels "any dangerous substance at the corrections officer, detention officer or staff member while the corrections officer, detention officer or staff member is acting in the course of his official duty, or as a result of the corrections officer's, detention officer's or staff member's official duties," or contaminates an item with a dangerous substance in the ways the section describes, commits a misdemeanor punishable by a fine of up to $750, up to 6 months, or both. Committed "intentionally or knowingly," it is aggravated assault and battery on a corrections or detention officer, a felony punishable by a fine of up to $5,000, up to 5 years, or both, with up to 10 more years if the person "knows he has a contagious life threatening disease" and acts with intent to infect. A "dangerous substance" includes, "but is not limited to, blood, urine, saliva, vomitus, semen and feces."
Pregnant victims. Causing bodily injury to a woman the person knows is pregnant is aggravated assault and battery under 6-2-502(a)(iv), as described above.
Other workers. Title 6, chapter 2, article 5 (W.S. 6-2-501 through 6-2-511) and W.S. 6-5-204 contain no separate assault offense or enhancement for firefighters, emergency medical workers, health care workers, teachers or school employees, or sports officials. Their victim-specific provisions are the corrections and detention section (6-2-508), the peace officer felony (6-5-204(b)), the pregnant-victim paragraph (6-2-502(a)(iv)) and the household-member offenses.
Domestic assault, domestic battery and strangulation in Wyoming
Wyoming has separate domestic offenses for household members. W.S. 35-21-102(a)(iv) defines "household member" to include persons married to each other, living with each other as if married, formerly married or formerly living together as if married, parents and their adult children, other adults sharing common living quarters, parents of a child who are not living with each other, and "Persons who are in, or have been in, a dating relationship."
- Domestic assault (W.S. 6-2-510). "A household member is guilty of domestic assault if, having the present ability to do so, he unlawfully attempts to cause bodily injury to another household member." It is punishable by up to 6 months, a fine of up to $750, or both, and by up to 1 year, a fine of up to $750, or both, if the person has a prior domestic assault conviction or a prior conviction for a listed or similar offense against another household member, including domestic battery, simple assault, battery and aggravated assault and battery. The section has no felony tier.
- Domestic battery (W.S. 6-2-511). "A household member is guilty of domestic battery if he knowingly or recklessly causes bodily injury to another household member by use of physical force." A first offense is punishable by up to 6 months, a fine of up to $750, or both. With a conviction for domestic battery or a listed or similar offense against another household member "within the previous five (5) years," the maximum rises to 1 year, a fine of up to $1,000, or both. If "within the previous ten (10) years, the person has been convicted of domestic battery two (2) or more times or has been convicted of domestic battery and any of the following or similar offense against another household member," the maximum is 10 years, a fine of up to $10,000, or both.
- Strangulation of a household member (W.S. 6-2-509). A person is guilty if he "intentionally and knowingly or recklessly causes or attempts to cause bodily injury to a household member by impeding the normal breathing or circulation of blood by: (i) Applying pressure on the throat or neck of the household member; or (ii) Blocking the nose and mouth of the household member." It is a felony punishable by up to 10 years. For this section, "household member" uses only parts of the 35-21-102 definition: spouses and former spouses, persons living or formerly living together as if married, parents of a child who are not living together, and current or former dating partners. Parents and their adult children, and other adults sharing living quarters, are not included.
W.S. 6-1-104(a)(xii) lists aggravated assault, strangulation of a household member, a third or subsequent domestic battery under 6-2-511(a) and (b)(iii), and a violation of 6-5-204(b) in its definition of "violent felony." Under the habitual criminal statute, W.S. 6-10-201, a person convicted of a violent felony who has been convicted of a felony on two or more previous charges separately brought and tried, arising out of separate occurrences in Wyoming or elsewhere, is punished by 10 to 50 years with two previous convictions, and by life with three or more previous convictions for offenses committed after age 18.
Under federal law, a conviction for a misdemeanor crime of domestic violence bars possessing a firearm or ammunition (18 U.S.C. 922(g)(9)); the assault and battery laws hub covers the federal layer. Protection orders are covered in Wyoming restraining order laws.
Civil lawsuits for assault and battery
A criminal prosecution and a civil lawsuit are separate proceedings. W.S. 1-3-105(a) provides that civil actions "can only be brought within the following periods after the cause of action accrues," and paragraph (v) sets one year for an action for "(A) Libel or slander; (B) Assault or battery not including sexual assault; (C) Malicious prosecution or false imprisonment." Under W.S. 1-3-114, a person who was a minor or subject to another legal disability when the claim arose may bring the action within three years after the disability is removed, or within the regular period if that is longer. Under W.S. 1-3-105(b), a civil action based on sexual assault, as defined in W.S. 6-2-301(a)(v), against a minor may be brought within the later of eight years after the minor's 18th birthday or three years after the discovery. Other filing deadlines are collected in our guide to the Wyoming statute of limitations.
Related legal issues
Self-defense and defense of others are justifications with their own rules; see Wyoming self-defense laws rather than this page. For protection orders after an assault, battery or threat, see Wyoming restraining order laws. For clearing a past record, see Wyoming expungement laws.
Related pages
- Assault and battery laws by state
- Wyoming self-defense laws
- Wyoming restraining order laws
- Wyoming expungement laws
- Wyoming statute of limitations
- Colorado assault and battery laws
- Utah assault and battery laws
This article provides general legal information about Wyoming assault and battery statutes as of 2026-10-13. It is not legal advice. For advice about a specific situation, contact a lawyer licensed in Wyoming.
Last updated: 2026-10-13.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between assault and battery in Wyoming?
W.S. 6-2-501 defines them separately. Simple assault is an unlawful attempt to cause bodily injury by a person with the present ability to do so; battery is intentionally, knowingly or recklessly causing bodily injury to another person by use of physical force.
Is simple assault a jailable offense in Wyoming?
W.S. 6-2-501(c) makes simple assault a misdemeanor punishable by a fine of not more than $750 and states no jail term. Battery, by contrast, carries up to 6 months, a fine of up to $750, or both (6-2-501(d)).
Is assault a felony in Wyoming?
Simple assault and battery are misdemeanors. Aggravated assault and battery under W.S. 6-2-502, such as causing or attempting bodily injury with a deadly weapon, is a felony punishable by up to 10 years, or longer for a habitual criminal under W.S. 6-10-201; Wyoming defines a felony as a crime punishable by death or by imprisonment for more than one year (6-10-101).
What is unlawful contact in Wyoming?
Under W.S. 6-2-501(g), unlawful contact is touching another person in a rude, insolent or angry manner without intentionally using sufficient physical force to cause bodily injury, or recklessly causing bodily injury. It is a misdemeanor punishable by up to 6 months, a fine of up to $750, or both.
What happens if you assault a police officer in Wyoming?
A person who intentionally and knowingly causes or attempts to cause bodily injury to a peace officer engaged in the lawful performance of his official duties is guilty of a felony punishable by up to 10 years (W.S. 6-5-204(b)). For that section, peace officer also includes full-time department of corrections probation and parole agents and supervisors (6-5-204(d)).
Is domestic battery a felony in Wyoming?
A first domestic battery is punishable by up to 6 months, a fine of up to $750, or both. It is punishable by up to 10 years, a fine of up to $10,000, or both, if within the previous 10 years the person has been convicted of domestic battery two or more times, or of domestic battery and a listed or similar offense against another household member (W.S. 6-2-511(b)(iii)).
How long do you have to sue for assault or battery in Wyoming?
W.S. 1-3-105(a)(v)(B) requires a civil action for assault or battery, not including sexual assault, to be brought within one year after the cause of action accrues. A person who was a minor or under another legal disability when the claim arose may sue within three years after the disability is removed, or within the regular period if longer (W.S. 1-3-114), and a civil action based on sexual assault against a minor may be brought within the later of eight years after the minor's 18th birthday or three years after the discovery (W.S. 1-3-105(b)).
Updates
Independently fact-checked against the cited primary sources
The Law Behind This Article
This article rests on the statutory provisions below, held in our own legal record and retrieved from the official source. Tap a section to read the operative text.
Wyoming Statutes, Title 6 - Crimes and Offenses - Chapter 2: Offenses Against the Person - Article 5: Assault and Battery
§ 6-2-501Simple assault; battery; penalties.In forcecited in 2 of our articles
(a) A person is guilty of simple assault if, having the present ability to do so, he unlawfully attempts to cause bodily injury to another. (b) A person is guilty of battery if he intentionally, knowingly or recklessly causes bodily injury to another person by use of physical force. (c) Simple assault is a misdemeanor punishable by a fine of not more than seven hundred fifty dollars ($750.00). (d) Battery 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. Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the term of probation imposed by a judge under this subsection may exceed the maximum term of imprisonment established for the offense under this subsection provided the term of probation, together with any extension thereof, shall in no case exceed one (1) year. (e) Repealed By Laws 2014, Ch. 13, § 3. (f) Repealed By Laws 2014, Ch. 13, § 3.
Official text (excerpt) · last checked 2026-07-30 · Read the full text in our law library · Verify at wyoleg.gov
Cited in 71 court opinions in our collectionLatest citing opinion in our collection: 2026
Opinions citing this section in our collection:
- Mueller v. State (Wyoming Supreme Court 2001, 36 P.3d 1151)“…th respect to the offense of simple battery, as defined by Wyo. Stat. Ann. § 6-2-501 (b) (LexisNexis 2001): Simple as…”
- Matthew Scott Worley v. State (Wyoming Supreme Court 2017, 386 P.3d 765)“…his matter, battery of a household member was a crime under Wyo. Stat. Ann. § 6-2-501(b) and (f) (Lexis Nexis 2013). In July…”
- Kiyon L. Brown (Wyoming Supreme Court 2014, 332 P.3d 1168)“…arged with one count of misdemeanor battery in violation of Wyo. Stat. Ann. § 6-2-501(b), (d) (LexisNexis 2013)1 for striking…”
Identified automatically from the court opinions citing this section — not a ranking of which case controls.
Also relied on in: Wyoming Expungement Laws: Wyo. Stat. §§ 7-13-1401, 7-13-1501, and 7-13-1502 Explained
§ 6-2-502Aggravated assault and battery; female genital mutilation; penalty.In forcecited in 3 of our articles
(a) A person is guilty of aggravated assault and battery if he engages in any of the following: (i) Causes or attempts to cause serious bodily injury to another intentionally, knowingly or recklessly under circumstances manifesting extreme indifference to the value of human life; (ii) Attempts to cause, or intentionally or knowingly causes bodily injury to another with a deadly weapon; (iii) Threatens to use a drawn deadly weapon on another unless reasonably necessary in defense of his person, property or abode or to prevent serious bodily injury to another; (iv) Intentionally, knowingly or recklessly causes bodily injury to a woman whom he knows is pregnant; (v) Intentionally, knowingly or recklessly causes female genital mutilation to be performed on a person who has not attained the age of eighteen (18) years. (b) Aggravated assault and battery is a felony punishable by imprisonment: (i) For not more than ten (10) years for violations of paragraphs (a)(i) through (iv) of this section; (ii) For not less than five (5) years and not more than twenty-five (25) years for violations of paragraph (a)(v) of this section.
Official text (excerpt) · last checked 2026-07-30 · Read the full text in our law library · Verify at wyoleg.gov
Cited in 178 court opinions in our collectionLatest citing opinion in our collection: 2026
Opinions citing this section in our collection:
- Cazier v. State (Wyoming Supreme Court 2006, 148 P.3d 23)“…arged with aggravated assault and battery, in violation of Wyo. Stat. Ann. § 6-2-502 (a)(i) (LexisNexis 2003) for beating he…”
- Sam v. State (Wyoming Supreme Court 2017, 401 P.3d 834)“…ements of plain error). Mr. Sam was charged with violating Wyo. Stat. Ann. § 6-2-502 (a)(ii) (LexisNexis 2017), which provid…”
- Oldman v. State (Wyoming Supreme Court 2000, 998 P.2d 957)“…arles Oldman (Oldman), who was convicted of a violation of Wyo. Stat. Ann. § 6-2-502 (Lexis 1999), 1 is that a…”
Identified automatically from the court opinions citing this section — not a ranking of which case controls.
Also relied on in: Wyoming Dog Bite Laws: Liability and Victim Rights, Wyoming Pepper Spray and Stun Gun Laws (2026)
§ 6-2-508Assault and battery on corrections or detention officer; penalties; definitions.In forcecited in 2 of our articles
(a) A person is guilty of assault and battery on a corrections or detention officer if he recklessly: (i) Propels any dangerous substance at the corrections officer, detention officer or staff member while the corrections officer, detention officer or staff member is acting in the course of his official duty, or as a result of the corrections officer's, detention officer's or staff member's official duties; or (ii) Tampers with or alters any item by contaminating the item with any dangerous substance, if the item may be handled or consumed by the corrections officer, detention officer or staff member while the corrections officer, detention officer or staff member is acting in the course of his official duty, or as a result of the corrections officer's, detention officer's or staff member's official duties.
Official text (excerpt) · last checked 2026-07-30 · Read the full text in our law library · Verify at wyoleg.gov
Cited in 3 court opinions in our collectionLatest citing opinion in our collection: 2012
Opinions citing this section in our collection:
- Dunsmore v. State (Wyoming Supreme Court 2007, 153 P.3d 275)“…e ("the appellant") guilty of child abuse, in violation of Wyo. Stat. Ann. § 6-2-508 (b)(i) (Lexis-Nexis 2008), but not guil…”
- Yellowbear v. State (Wyoming Supreme Court 2008, 174 P.3d 1270)“…rs specifying which subsection of the child abuse statute, Wyo. Stat. Ann. § 6-2-508 (LexisNexis 2007), was the basis for t…”
- Kruger v. State (Wyoming Supreme Court 2012, 268 P.3d 248)“…pled guilty to Count I, Felony Child Abuse, a violation of W.S. § 6-2-508(a) as alleged in the Information, and t…”
Identified automatically from the court opinions citing this section — not a ranking of which case controls.
§ 6-2-509Strangulation of a household member; penalty.In force
(a) A person is guilty of strangulation of a household member if he intentionally and knowingly or recklessly causes or attempts to cause bodily injury to a household member by impeding the normal breathing or circulation of blood by: (i) Applying pressure on the throat or neck of the household member; or (ii) Blocking the nose and mouth of the household member. (b) Strangulation of a household member is a felony punishable by imprisonment for not more than ten (10) years. (c) For purposes of this section, "household member" means as defined in W.S. 35-21-102(a)(iv)(A) through (D), (G) and (H).
Official text (excerpt) · last checked 2026-07-30 · Read the full text in our law library · Verify at wyoleg.gov
§ 6-2-510Domestic assault.In force
(a) A household member is guilty of domestic assault if, having the present ability to do so, he unlawfully attempts to cause bodily injury to another household member. (b) Domestic assault is punishable as follows: (i) By imprisonment for not more than six (6) months, a fine of not more than seven hundred fifty dollars ($750.00), or both; (ii) By imprisonment for not more than one (1) year, a fine of not more than seven hundred fifty dollars ($750.00), or both, if the person has previously been convicted of domestic assault or if the person has previously been convicted of the following or similar offense against another household member: (A) Domestic battery under W.S. 6-2-511; (B) Simple assault under W.S. 6-2-501(a); (C) Battery under W.S. 6-2-501(b); (D) Aggravated assault and battery under W.S. 6-2-502; (E) Child abuse under W.S. 6-2-503; (F) Reckless endangering under W.S. 6-2-504; (G) Unlawful contact under W.S. 6-2-501(g); (H) Strangulation of a household member under W.S. 6-2-509; (J) Kidnapping under W.S. 6-2-201; (K) Felonious restraint under W.S. 6-2-202; or (M) False imprisonment under W.S. 6-2-203.
Official text (excerpt) · last checked 2026-07-30 · Read the full text in our law library · Verify at wyoleg.gov
§ 6-2-511Domestic battery.In force
(a) A household member is guilty of domestic battery if he knowingly or recklessly causes bodily injury to another household member by use of physical force. (b) Domestic battery is punishable as follows: (i) By imprisonment for not more than six (6) months, a fine of not more than seven hundred fifty dollars ($750.00), or both; (ii) By imprisonment for not more than one (1) year, a fine of not more than one thousand dollars ($1,000.00), or both, if within the previous five (5) years, the person has been convicted of domestic battery or any of the following or similar offenses against another household member: (A) Domestic assault under W.S. 6-2-510; (B) Simple assault under W.S. 6-2-501(a); (C) Battery under W.S. 6-2-501(b); (D) Aggravated assault and battery under W.S. 6-2-502; (E) Child abuse under W.S. 6-2-503; (F) Reckless endangering under W.S. 6-2-504; (G) Unlawful contact under W.S. 6-2-501(g); (H) Strangulation of a household member under W.S. 6-2-509; (J) Kidnapping under W.S. 6-2-201; (K) Felonious restraint under W.S. 6-2-202; or (M) False imprisonment under W.S. 6-2-203.
Official text (excerpt) · last checked 2026-07-30 · Read the full text in our law library · Verify at wyoleg.gov
Wyoming Statutes, Title 6 - Crimes and Offenses - Chapter 5: Offenses Against Public Administration - Article 2: Hindering Government Operations
§ 6-5-204Interference with peace officer; disarming peace officer; penalties.In forcecited in 2 of our articles
(a) A person commits a misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment for not more than one (1) year, a fine of not more than one thousand dollars ($1,000.00), or both, if he knowingly obstructs, impedes or interferes with or resists arrest by a peace officer while engaged in the lawful performance of his official duties. (b) A person who intentionally and knowingly causes or attempts to cause bodily injury to a peace officer engaged in the lawful performance of his official duties is guilty of a felony punishable by imprisonment for not more than ten (10) years. (c) A person who intentionally and knowingly disarms a peace officer of his firearm while that peace officer is engaged in the lawful performance of his official duties is guilty of a felony punishable by imprisonment for not more than five (5) years. (d) For the purposes of this section only, "peace officer" means as defined in W.S.
Official text (excerpt) · last checked 2026-07-30 · Read the full text in our law library · Verify at wyoleg.gov
Cited in 76 court opinions in our collectionLatest citing opinion in our collection: 2026
Opinions citing this section in our collection:
- Oien v. State (Wyoming Supreme Court 1990, 797 P.2d 544)“…(B) An arrest or charge for a crime. [2] W.S. 6-5-204(a) provides: A person commits a misd…”
- Mueller v. State (Wyoming Supreme Court 2001, 36 P.3d 1151)“…icient evidence of Appellant's violation of each element of W.S. § 6-5-204(b)7 III. Was it proper for the p…”
- Pena v. State (Wyoming Supreme Court 1989, 780 P.2d 316)“…ion for felony assault of a police officer, in violation of W.S. 6-5-204(b), appellant Benny Pena (Pena) claims…”
Identified automatically from the court opinions citing this section — not a ranking of which case controls.
Also relied on in: Wyoming Laws on Recording Police: Your Rights and Limits
Wyoming Statutes, Title 6 - Crimes and Offenses - Chapter 1: General Provisions - Article 1: In General
§ 6-1-104Definitions.In forcecited in 9 of our articles
(a) As used in this act, unless otherwise defined: (i) "Bodily injury" means: (A) A cut, abrasion, burn or temporary disfigurement; (B) Physical pain; or (C) Impairment of the function of a bodily member, organ or mental faculty. (ii) "Coin machine" means a mechanical or electronic device or receptacle designed to: (A) Receive a coin, bill or token made for that purpose; and (B) Automatically offer, provide or assist in providing or permit the acquisition of property or service in return for the insertion of the coin, bill or token. (iii) "Criminal negligence" is defined as the following conduct: A person acts with criminal negligence when, through a gross deviation from the standard of care that a reasonable person would exercise, he fails to perceive a substantial and unjustifiable risk that the harm he is accused of causing will occur, and the harm results.
Official text (excerpt) · last checked 2026-07-30 · Read the full text in our law library · Verify at wyoleg.gov
Cited in 64 court opinions in our collectionLatest citing opinion in our collection: 2026
Opinions citing this section in our collection:
- Wilson v. State (Wyoming Supreme Court 2000, 14 P.3d 912)“…physical condition. Both definitions are taken from Wyo.Stat. Ann. § 6-1-104 (Michie 1997). The district court refus…”
- Schmuck v. State (Wyoming Supreme Court 2017, 406 P.3d 286)“…statutory definition of the term “recklessly” provided by Wyo. Stat. Ann. § 6-1-104 (a)(ix) (LexisNexis 2017): (a) As use…”
- Perritt v. State (Wyoming Supreme Court 2005, 120 P.3d 181)“…ny or any other association or entity, public or private." Wyo. Stat. Ann. § 6-1-104 (a)(vi) (LexisNexis 2005). "Property" i…”
Identified automatically from the court opinions citing this section — not a ranking of which case controls.
Also relied on in: Wyoming Knife Laws (2026): Concealed Carry, Schools, Preemption, Wyoming AI Laws and Regulation (2026), Wyoming Police Body Camera Laws: W.S. 16-4-203 Access
Wyoming Statutes, Title 6 - Crimes and Offenses - Chapter 10: Sentencing - Article 1: Generally
§ 6-10-101"Felony" and "misdemeanor" defined.In force
Crimes which may be punished by death or by imprisonment for more than one (1) year are felonies. All other crimes are misdemeanors.
Official text (excerpt) · last checked 2026-07-30 · Read the full text in our law library · Verify at wyoleg.gov
Wyoming Statutes, Title 35 - Public Health and Safety - Chapter 21: Domestic Violence Protection
§ 35-21-102Definitions.In forcecited in 2 of our articles
(a) As used in this act: (i) "Adult" means a person who is sixteen (16) years of age or older, or legally married; (ii) "Court" means the circuit court in the county where the alleged victim of domestic abuse resides or is found, where an alleged perpetrator of the domestic abuse resides or is found or where an act of domestic abuse occurred; (iii) "Domestic abuse" means the occurrence of one (1) or more of the following acts by a household member but does not include acts of self defense: (A) Physically abusing, threatening to physically abuse, attempting to cause or causing physical harm or acts which unreasonably restrain the personal liberty of any household member; (B) Placing a household member in reasonable fear of imminent physical harm; or (C) Causing a household member to engage involuntarily in sexual activity by force, threat of force or duress.
Official text (excerpt) · last checked 2026-07-30 · Read the full text in our law library · Verify at wyoleg.gov
Cited in 26 court opinions in our collectionLatest citing opinion in our collection: 2026
Opinions citing this section in our collection:
- Fall v. State (Wyoming Supreme Court 1998, 963 P.2d 981)“…d one (1) year. (e) A household member as defined by W.S. 35-21-102 who is convicted of a second or subsequ…”
- Timothy S. Nickels v. State (Wyoming Supreme Court 2015, 351 P.3d 288)“…ction, “household member” means as defined in W.S. 35-21-102(a)(iv)(A) through (D), (G) and…”
- Messer v. State (Wyoming Supreme Court 2004, 96 P.3d 12)“…[[Image here]] (f) A household member as defined by W.S. 35-21-102 who commits a second or subsequent batt…”
Identified automatically from the court opinions citing this section — not a ranking of which case controls.
Also relied on in: Wyoming Restraining Order Laws (2026): How to Get an Order of Protection
Wyoming Statutes, Title 1 - Code of Civil Procedure - Chapter 3: Limitation of Actions
§ 1-3-105Actions other than recovery of real property.In forcecited in 13 of our articles
(a) Civil actions other than for the recovery of real property can only be brought within the following periods after the cause of action accrues: (i) Within ten (10) years, an action upon a specialty or any contract, agreement or promise in writing; (ii) Within eight (8) years, an action: (A) Upon a contract not in writing, either express or implied; or (B) Upon a liability created by statute other than a forfeiture or penalty. (iii) Within five (5) years after the debtor establishes residence in Wyoming, an action on a foreign claim, judgment or contract, express or implied, contracted or incurred and accrued before the debtor became a resident of Wyoming; (iv) Within four (4) years, an action for: (A) Trespass upon real property; (B) The recovery of personal property or for taking, detaining or injuring personal property; (C) An injury to the rights of the plaintiff, not arising on contract and not herein enumerated; and (D) For relief on the ground of fraud.
Official text (excerpt) · last checked 2026-09-14 · Read the full text in our law library · Verify at wyoleg.gov
Cited in 75 court opinions in our collectionLatest citing opinion in our collection: 2024
Opinions citing this section in our collection:
- Ultra Resources, Inc. v. Hartman (Wyoming Supreme Court 2010, 226 P.3d 889)“…year statute of limitations for breach of contract. See Wyo. Stat. Ann. § 1-3-105 (a)(i) (LexisNexis 2009). The defendant…”
- Union Pacific Resources Co. v. State (Wyoming Supreme Court 1992, 839 P.2d 356)“…Whether the eight-year statute of limitations contained in W.S. 1-3-105 operates to prevent counties from seeki…”
- Richardson Associates v. Lincoln-Devore, Inc. (Wyoming Supreme Court 1991, 806 P.2d 790)“…thrust of the statute of limitations defense is emplaced in W.S. 1-3-105 relating to civil actions on a contract…”
Identified automatically from the court opinions citing this section — not a ranking of which case controls.
Also relied on in: Wyoming Statute of Limitations: Filing Deadlines by Case Type, Wyoming Defamation Laws: Libel & Slander (2026), Wyoming Slip and Fall Laws: Proving Premises Liability
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Sources and References
- Wyoming Statutes Title 6, Crimes and Offenses (W.S. 6-2-501, Simple assault; battery; penalties)(wyoleg.gov).gov
- Wyoming Statutes Title 35 (W.S. 35-21-102, Domestic violence protection definitions)(wyoleg.gov).gov
- Wyoming Statutes Title 1 (W.S. 1-3-105, Limitation of actions)(wyoleg.gov).gov
- 18 U.S.C. 922, Unlawful acts(www.govinfo.gov).gov
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