Court records in Laramie County, Wyoming, are maintained by the Clerk of the District Court — an elected county official who is officially responsible for maintaining court documentation. To begin searching for publicly available court record information, use LaramieCourt.us. Additional access points include the official Wyoming Judicial Branch portal, the 1st Judicial District Court page, and directly at the Clerk of Court's office. Access is available online, by phone, or in person.
Laramie Court System Overview
Laramie County is part of the 1st Judicial District of Wyoming. It is the only county within this district, making its structure relatively simple. The District Court handles general jurisdiction cases, while the Magistrate Division functions as part of the District Court and takes on lower-level cases — from small claims to traffic violations.
The courthouse is located in Cheyenne, the county seat:
The Magistrate Division operates in the same building. Detailed information about courtroom technology and judges' contact details can be found on the 1st Judicial District page.
Courts Serving Laramie
Residents of the county are served by several courts of varying levels of jurisdiction.
| Court | Address and Contact |
|---|---|
| District Court, 1st Judicial District | 309 W. 20th Street, Cheyenne, WY 82001 |
| Magistrate Court (a division of the District Court) | 309 W. 20th Street, Cheyenne, WY 82001 |
| U.S. District Court, District of Wyoming | 2120 Capitol Avenue, Room 2131 |
| U.S. Bankruptcy Court, District of Wyoming | 2120 Capitol Avenue, Room 2131 |
| Cheyenne Municipal Court | 2101 O'Neil Avenue |
What Types of Cases Laramie Courts Hear
The county courts cover a wide range of cases. Here is a general list:
- Criminal cases: felonies, misdemeanors, infractions
- Civil cases: large and small claims, small claims
- Family law: divorce, custody, child support, paternity, protective orders
- Probate cases: estate administration, guardianship, conservatorship, trust issues
- Juvenile matters: proceedings under the Juvenile Corrections Act and Child Protective Act
- Traffic violations and DUI
- Adoption and termination of parental rights
Each category is discussed in more detail below.
District Court Cases in Laramie
The District Court is a court of general jurisdiction. Felonies come here after a preliminary hearing in the Magistrate Division, where a magistrate judge determines if there is sufficient cause to transfer the case. Civil claims exceeding the magistrate's jurisdictional limit also start here. Appeals from Magistrate Court decisions are heard by a district judge.
Cases are distributed among the judges of the 1st Judicial District. Once assigned, a judge handles the case from initial hearings to sentencing or decision. Post-conviction proceedings — motions for sentence review, restoration of rights — are also within the District Court's jurisdiction. Information on restoration of rights after conviction can be found on the Wyoming Department of Corrections website.
Magistrate Court Cases in Laramie
The Magistrate Division is the first stop for most people encountering the court system. It handles misdemeanors, traffic violations, DUI cases at the arraignment stage, and preliminary hearings in felonies.
Civil cases can be heard by a magistrate if the claim amount does not exceed $50,000 according to Wyoming law. Small claims are limited to $6,000. These limits allow a significant portion of everyday disputes to be resolved without moving to the District Court.
Because Laramie is the most populous county in the state, magistrate judges often specialize in specific categories of cases to manage the workload.
Family Law, Probate, and Juvenile Matters in Laramie
Family Law
Divorce, child custody, child support, paternity, and protective orders from domestic violence are typically handled by the District Court. Petitions for temporary protective orders may initially come through the Magistrate Division, but permanent orders are issued by a district judge.
Probate Cases
Estate administration of deceased persons, appointment of guardians and conservators, and trust matters fall under the jurisdiction of the District Court. Applications are submitted through the clerk's office.
Juvenile Matters
Proceedings under the Juvenile Corrections Act (juvenile offenses) and Child Protective Act (child protection) are heard by the District Court. Juvenile case records are confidential under Wyoming law and are not publicly accessible. For information on these proceedings, contact the Clerk of Court's office directly.
How Cases Move Through the Laramie Court System
- Case Initiation. A criminal case begins with the filing of an indictment or complaint by the prosecutor. A civil case starts with the filing of a complaint or petition by the plaintiff through the clerk's office.
- Judge Assignment. The Clerk of Court assigns the case to a specific judge according to the district's internal rules.
- Initial Hearings. In criminal cases — arraignment, where the defendant enters a plea of guilty or not guilty. In civil cases — scheduling conference.
- Pretrial Phase. Parties exchange evidence (discovery), file motions. In criminal cases, plea negotiations may continue.
- Case Resolution or Trial. Trial (bench trial or jury trial), settlement, guilty plea, or default judgment.
- Post-Judgment. Sentencing in criminal cases, appeal to the Wyoming Supreme Court, enforcement of judgment in civil cases.
Court Administration, Local Rules, and Public Access in Laramie
The Administrative Judge of the 1st Judicial District is responsible for overseeing court operations in the county. The Court Administrator coordinates the daily activities of the clerk's office and courtrooms.
Local court rules for the 1st Judicial District are published on the Wyoming Judicial Branch website. These rules govern filing deadlines, motion formats, and procedural requirements specific to this district.
Public Access
As a general rule, court records in Wyoming are public. Exceptions apply to juvenile cases, sealed cases, records under a court protective order, and certain family matters. Public access to court records is governed by the administrative rules of the Wyoming Supreme Court and the state's Public Records Act.
Attending Hearings
Most court hearings are open to the public. Some hearings are conducted remotely via video link — check with the Clerk's office or on the court page for available courtroom equipment and technology requirements.
Court Records and Related Court Resources in Laramie
- Court Docket Search. Wyoming uses an electronic court case access system. Check for online search availability through the Judicial Branch portal or contact the Clerk's office for document copies.
- Court Hearing Calendar. The hearing schedule for the 1st Judicial District is available on the Laramie County District Court page.
- Court Forms and Self-Help Resources. Application forms, motions, and instructions for self-represented individuals are posted on the Wyoming Judicial Branch website.
- Public Records Request. Contact the Clerk's office in person or by phone at (307) 633-4270. Fees apply for certified copies.
- Department of Corrections Inmate Search. The Wyoming Offender Locator allows searches by inmate name or number.
- Criminal Records. The Wyoming Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI) processes criminal history checks and provides fingerprinting services.
- Archived Court Records. Historical court documents for Laramie County, including criminal cases, are stored at the Wyoming State Archives.
- Property Records and Taxes. Property tax information can be found through the Property Tax Division or the Wyoming Department of Revenue.
- LaramieCourt.us — a convenient starting point for finding publicly available court record information for the county.