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Supreme Court FAQs
Where do I get a bar application?
All requests for information regarding eligibility for admission to the bar in Wyoming, and requests for applications for admission to the Wyoming State Bar should be directed to the Wyoming State Bar office at:
Wyoming State Bar
P.O. Box 109
Cheyenne, WY 82003-0109
(307) 632-9061
(307) 632-3737,
or the rules regarding admission and applications are available at:
http://www.wyomingbar.org/.
Where do I make a formal complaint about my attorney?
Contact the Board of Professional Responsibility at Wyoming State Bar:
Wyoming State Bar
P.O. Box 109
Cheyenne, WY 82003-0109
(307) 632-9061
(307) 632-3737,
or
http://www.wyomingbar.org/.
Where do I make a formal complaint about a Justice, District Judge, Circuit Court Judge, Court Commissioner, Magistrate; Municipal Court Judge or other judicial officer?
Contact the Commission on Judicial Conduct and Ethics for Wyoming state judiciary members only. This body does not govern the federal judiciary.
Carol Collins, Executive Director
Commission on Judicial Conduct and Ethics
P.O. Box 2645
Cheyenne, WY 82003
(307) 778-7792
Fax (307) 778-8689
E-mail: ccollins-cjce@bresnan.net
How much is the docket fee?
The docket fee for filing an appeal or a petition for review in the Wyoming Supreme Court is $85.00. If you are filing a notice of appeal in district court, give the check (made payable to Clerk, Wyoming Supreme Court), to the district court clerk when you file the notice of appeal. The clerk will forward the check to the Supreme Court with notice that the appeal is ready to be docketed. If you are filing a petition for review in the Supreme Court, include the docket fee with the petition.
How many copies?
The original plus six copies of any motion, brief, petition for review, or other pleading are required in the Supreme Court. (See Rule 1.01, W.R.A.P.) The only exceptions are motions for extension of time to file brief (original, plus one, plus form order) and motions for voluntary dismissals of cases that have not been briefed (original plus form order). These motions are not conference matters.
Can I check out the record?
The record remains in the district court until all briefs have been filed, at which time the Supreme Court requests the designated record on appeal from the district court. The record may be checked out from the district court to prepare briefs. See Rule 3.05, W.R.A.P. and Rule 3.09, W.R.A.P.
How do I cite to the record?
The clerk of district court should have provided an index to the record at the time the case is docketed in the Supreme Court. (Rule 3.05(a)) You may use the page numbers on the index. Although the entire record won't be sent to the Supreme Court, the clerks do not renumber the record after receiving the designations from counsel. If you are citing to depositions, etc., you may cite to "Smith deposition at p. 1."
What size paper do I use?
All documents filed in the Supreme Court should be on 8 1/2 x 11 paper. See Rule 1.01(b), W.R.A.P. When attaching pleadings filed in lower courts, they shall be reduced to 8 1/2 " x 11" paper.
When is my brief due?
You may calculate your due date by counting 45 days from the date the appeal was docketed or certificate of service, and if served by mail, add three days for mailing. If the last day falls on a weekend or holiday, the due date is the next business day. If you are served by hand delivery, you do not get the three extra days. See Rule 7.06 and Rule 14, W.R.A.P. For reply briefs count 15 days from service. The briefing schedule for confidential cases may be shorted.
What do I attach to my brief?
For appellants, the required attachment is the order or judgment you are appealing from. See Rule 7.01(j), W.R.A.P. Don't attach copies of other documents which will be designated and found in the record. Likewise, don't attach copies of depositions or other documents that were never made part of the record in district court.
Will you fax me a copy of an opinion/brief?
The Clerk's office does not fax documents. Published opinions are available on the Court website or we will be happy to send you a copy. As for other documents, we will make requested copies at $ .50 per page for photocopying costs.
My brief is due tomorrow, can I fax you a copy? How about e-mail?
No, the Supreme Court has an extremely limited fax rule, Wyoming Rules of Appellate Procedure 1.07. The original and six copies of the brief shall be filed on or before the day it is due.
How long will it take for the Court to decide my case?
Generally, you can expect a case to be under advisement approximately six to twelve months. This is not an exact timeframe because there can be many variables such as the number of issues raised in the appeal, if it is a case of first impression for the Court or the size of the current court docket.
Can I get copies of old Supreme Court briefs?
Yes, onsite, the Clerk's Office maintains the current year and the past three year's files. To obtain a copy, the charge is $ .50 per page for photocopying. Individuals may make copies themselves in the State Law Library using their self-service copier for $ .10 per page. Any original briefs, motions, orders or other pleadings may not be removed from the Court.
If you are looking for an older case, those files are retained by the Wyoming State Archives. There is a charge for copying; you may contact the State Archives for more information at:
Department of State Parks & Cultural Resources
State Archives
2301 Central Avenue
Cheyenne, WY 82002
(307) 777-7826
Is this where I get a Certificate of Good Standing?
If you are applying for admission to another jurisdiction and are a member of the Wyoming Bar, you may be asked to provide a Certificate of Good Standing under the seal of the highest court in the state. The Clerk's office issues the certificate and there is a charge of $10.00 for each certificate issued.
I have a legal problem, can I talk to one of the lawyers there at the Supreme Court?
No, the law clerks and Justices cannot provide legal advice.
Can I get a form from you?
Currently, the only forms approved by the Supreme Court are for filing a pro se divorce and they are obtained from the District Court Clerks. The cost for each packet is $ 10.00.
I lost my case and for my appeal I have some evidence I want the Justices to look over. Can I send it up to the Supreme Court?
No, the Supreme Court will look at the same record that the lower court used in deciding the case. The Supreme Court does not take evidence like a trial court.
I cannot afford a lawyer, can I get a pro bono attorney to represent me?
Possibly. Contact the Wyoming State Bar at:
Wyoming State Bar
P.O. Box 109
Cheyenne, WY 82003-0109
(307) 632-9061
(307) 632-3737,
or http://www.wyomingbar.org/.
If you go to the website, click on Need a Lawyer?. You can find out if you may qualify for help. If you do not, there are links to other organizations that may be able to help you.
If you have other questions, or would like to make suggestions, please contact
me at jpacheco@courts.state.wy.us
or call (307) 777-7316
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