Vehicular Assault Lawyer in Wyoming

Felony Defense for Serious-Injury Driving Charges Across Wyoming

A vehicular assault charge in Wyoming arises when a driver is accused of causing serious bodily injury to another person through the operation of a vehicle, typically under allegations of recklessness, impairment, or willful and wanton disregard for safety. The charge is prosecuted as a felony, and a conviction can result in years in state prison and a permanent criminal record. R. Michael Vang P.C. defends clients facing Wyoming vehicular assault charges throughout the state, including in Casper, Cheyenne, and Laramie.

Wyoming vehicular assault is distinct from a standard DWUI charge and from vehicular homicide, though prosecutors can file all three from the same incident. A driver who experienced an accident as a sudden, disorienting emergency can still face felony exposure based on the alleged conduct alone. With over 28 years of criminal defense experience and more than 100 criminal jury trials in Wyoming courts, Mr. Vang understands what is at stake when this charge is filed.

A vehicular assault arrest demands an immediate response. Contact R. Michael Vang P.C. today for a free initial consultation at (307) 336-7570.

How Wyoming Law Defines Vehicular Assault

Wyoming doesn’t label the offense “vehicular assault” in a single statute, but the charge is typically prosecuted under Wyoming’s aggravated assault and battery law, Wyo. Stat. § 6-2-502. That statute applies when a person 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, or causes bodily injury through the use of a deadly weapon. Wyoming courts have recognized a motor vehicle as a deadly weapon for purposes of this statute.

Serious bodily injury is a defined term under Wyoming law. It includes injuries that create a substantial risk of death, cause severe disfigurement, cause severe protracted physical pain, or result in protracted loss or impairment of a bodily function. Whether the alleged injury actually meets that threshold is a critical question in every case, because it determines whether the charge proceeds as a felony at all.

Conduct that can trigger the charge includes reckless driving, impaired driving involving alcohol or drugs, and driving with willful or wanton disregard for the safety of others. When impairment is alleged, prosecutors frequently file a DWUI alongside the assault charge, compounding the felony exposure from a single incident.

Penalties & Collateral Consequences of a Conviction

A felony vehicular assault conviction in Wyoming can result in up to 10 years in state prison. Beyond the sentence itself, a conviction carries collateral consequences that affect life long after release: driver’s license revocation, loss of the right to possess firearms, and barriers to employment and professional licensing. A felony record can also influence housing decisions and child custody proceedings.

Defendants also face the possibility of a parallel civil lawsuit brought by the injured party. Prior DWUI convictions can shape both charging decisions and sentencing recommendations, making a person’s driving history part of the prosecution’s narrative. Identifying every available defense argument early gives counsel the opportunity to challenge the charge before it reaches trial.

Facing Vehicular Assault Charges in Wyoming? Contact R. Michael Vang P.C.

Timing matters. The earlier defense counsel is involved, the more opportunity there is to preserve evidence, address bond hearings, and avoid statements that prosecutors can use against the defendant. R. Michael Vang P.C. handles vehicular assault defense throughout Wyoming, including Casper, Cheyenne, and Laramie, and offers a free initial consultation. Call (307) 336-7570 to speak with Mr. Vang.