Wyoming Case Commentaries

Procedural Compliance and Best-Interest Emphasis in Termination of Parental Rights (Danforth v. Hansen)

Date: Apr 4, 2025

Procedural Compliance and Best-Interest Emphasis in Termination of Parental Rights Introduction In In the Matter of the Termination of Parental Rights to SLD, a Minor Child; Katrina Danforth v. Ryan...

Vicarious Liability of Government Entities for Agent’s Negligent Acts Under the WGCA: Limits on Damages Apportionment

Date: Apr 3, 2025

Vicarious Liability of Government Entities for Agent’s Negligent Acts Under the WGCA: Limits on Damages Apportionment Introduction Susan Elsner, as Personal Representative of the Estate of Margaret...

Clarifying Governmental Entity Vicarious Liability Under the Wyoming Governmental Claims Act

Date: Apr 3, 2025

Clarifying Governmental Entity Vicarious Liability Under the Wyoming Governmental Claims Act Introduction This case arises from a wrongful‐death and negligence suit brought by Susan Elsner, personal...

Tangible Injury Requirement for Standing in Environmental Declaratory Actions

Date: Apr 1, 2025

Tangible Injury Requirement for Standing in Environmental Declaratory Actions Introduction Protect Our Water Jackson Hole (POWJH), a Wyoming nonprofit dedicated to preserving Fish Creek’s water...

Res judicata, not “law of the case,” governs post‑judgment enforcement efforts; mandamus unavailable absent a clear ministerial duty: The Wyoming Supreme Court’s roadmap for finality after a consent decree and consolidated litigation

Date: Mar 28, 2025

Res judicata, not “law of the case,” governs post‑judgment enforcement efforts; mandamus unavailable absent a clear ministerial duty Commentary on Randy W. Stevens v. Town of Saratoga, 2025 WY 35...

Clarifying Summary Affirmance and Pro Se Procedural Standards under W.R.A.P. 1.03: Munoz v. State of Wyoming

Date: Mar 27, 2025

Clarifying Summary Affirmance and Pro Se Procedural Standards under W.R.A.P. 1.03: Munoz v. State of Wyoming Introduction In Rodolfo P. Munoz v. State of Wyoming; Department of Family Services; Basin...

Diligence and Timeliness under Rule 60(b)(6) for Settlement Enforcement: Sheppard v. Big Horn County

Date: Mar 26, 2025

Diligence and Timeliness under Rule 60(b)(6) for Settlement Enforcement: Sheppard v. Big Horn County Introduction In Sheppard Trucking v. Board of County Commissioners (2025 WY 31), the Wyoming...

Discretion in Permanency Plan Determinations: Balancing Sibling Relationships and Parental Rehabilitation

Date: Mar 24, 2025

Discretion in Permanency Plan Determinations: Balancing Sibling Relationships and Parental Rehabilitation Introduction This commentary examines the Supreme Court of Wyoming’s decision in In the...

Patterson v. State: Wyoming Abolishes the “Reference vs. Comment” Distinction and Reaffirms Automatic Reversal for Prosecutorial Remarks on a Defendant’s Silence

Date: Mar 21, 2025

Patterson v. State: Wyoming Abolishes the “Reference vs. Comment” Distinction and Reaffirms Automatic Reversal for Prosecutorial Remarks on a Defendant’s Silence Introduction In William Frederick...

Assessor’s Discretion in Valuation: Balancing Purchase Price, Trending, and Depreciation in Complex Oil and Gas Property Assessments

Date: Mar 18, 2025

Assessor’s Discretion in Valuation: Balancing Purchase Price, Trending, and Depreciation in Complex Oil and Gas Property Assessments Introduction The case of Contango Resources, LLC v. Fremont...

Closed-Bid Purchase Price Is Not a Required “Starting Point” for Cost-Approach Property Tax Valuation; Assessors May Rely on Credible Non-Manual Trend/Depreciation Sources

Date: Mar 18, 2025

Closed-Bid Purchase Price Is Not a Required “Starting Point” for Cost-Approach Property Tax Valuation; Assessors May Rely on Credible Non-Manual Trend/Depreciation Sources Case: Contango Resources,...

Wyoming Child Protection Act Permanency Orders Need Not Make Explicit Sibling-Separation Findings When Changing the Plan to Adoption

Date: Mar 18, 2025

Wyoming Child Protection Act Permanency Orders Need Not Make Explicit Sibling-Separation Findings When Changing the Plan to Adoption 1. Introduction In In the Interest Of: LH, Minor Child, TH v. the...

New Legal Precedent: Strict Sanctions for Trial Misconduct and Dismissal for Noncompliance

Date: Mar 14, 2025

New Legal Precedent: Strict Sanctions for Trial Misconduct and Dismissal for Noncompliance Introduction The case of Kattie Boline v. JKC Trucking and Jerzy Syrzyna establishes a significant precedent...

Wyoming Supreme Court Reaffirms: Intentional Insurance References Causing a Mistrial Permit Full Mistrial-Cost Sanctions, Conditioning Retrial on Payment, and Dismissal with Prejudice Without Violating Open Courts

Date: Mar 12, 2025

Wyoming Supreme Court Reaffirms: Intentional Insurance References Causing a Mistrial Permit Full Mistrial-Cost Sanctions, Conditioning Retrial on Payment, and Dismissal with Prejudice Without...

Inclusion of Prior PSI Information: Affirming Judicial Discretion in Presentence Investigations

Date: Feb 23, 2025

Inclusion of Prior PSI Information: Affirming Judicial Discretion in Presentence Investigations Introduction The case of Cameron Curtis Hagen v. The State of Wyoming (2025 WY 22) presents a dispute...

Defining "Deadly Weapon": Establishing Bleach as an Instrument of Aggravated Assault and Battery

Date: Feb 23, 2025

Defining "Deadly Weapon": Establishing Bleach as an Instrument of Aggravated Assault and Battery Introduction The case of Glenn Tyrone Green v. The State of Wyoming (2025 WY 20) involves a defendant,...

Discretionary Equity: Affirming Broad Judicial Latitude in Family Law Decisions

Date: Feb 20, 2025

Discretionary Equity: Affirming Broad Judicial Latitude in Family Law Decisions Introduction The case of Ryan Amadio v. Tara Amadio (2025 WY 21) presents an appeal arising from a divorce decree that...

Clarifying Mens Rea in Child Pornography Reproduction: Insights from Iverson v. The State of Wyoming

Date: Feb 19, 2025

Clarifying Mens Rea in Child Pornography Reproduction: Insights from Iverson v. The State of Wyoming Introduction The case of Matthew Scott Iverson v. The State of Wyoming (2025 WY 19) addresses a...

Withdrawal of Guilty Plea: Balancing Defendant Misgivings Against Judicial Efficiency Under W.R.Cr.P. 32(d)

Date: Feb 19, 2025

Withdrawal of Guilty Plea: Balancing Defendant Misgivings Against Judicial Efficiency Under W.R.Cr.P. 32(d) Introduction The case of Edward Eugene Robertson v. The State of Wyoming (2025 WY 18)...

Garcia v. Wyoming: Expanding the Interpretation of 'Premises' in Search Warrants

Date: Feb 13, 2025

Garcia v. Wyoming: Expanding the Interpretation of 'Premises' in Search Warrants Supreme Court of Wyoming, 2025 WY 17 Date: February 10, 2025 Introduction In the case of Richard Joey Garcia v. The...