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Read. Follow. Verify.Wyoming Bill Establishes Criminal Deferral Process and Probation for First-Time Misdemeanor Juveniles
Last action · February 13, 2026: H Did not Consider for IntroductionSponsors: Pepper Ottman and 4 others
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What This Bill Proposed
House Bill 184 creates a criminal deferral process for first-time misdemeanor juveniles whose offenses are deemed untreatable under standard juvenile statutes. Under the measure, circuit courts may defer proceedings for up to 18 months, place the juvenile on probation, and ultimately dismiss charges without a conviction if terms are successfully met. The act applies to offenses committed on or after July 1, 2026.
First-time misdemeanor juveniles in Wyoming gain an alternative to criminal convictions that can shield their adult records, provided they complete probation, pay restitution, and follow court-ordered terms over a period of six to eighteen months.
- Wyoming's criminal statutes provide various forms of deferred prosecution and probation for adult defendants, but juvenile misdemeanor handling typically operates through separate administrative and court frameworks. context
Who It Would Have Affected
Groups the bill's text would have affected, as described in the record. Being affected is not a position for or against it.
Juveniles
Juveniles facing misdemeanor charges are eligible for deferred proceedings, probation, and potential dismissal of charges without a permanent conviction.
Circuit Courts
Circuit courts are granted the authority to oversee deferred proceedings, set probation conditions, review compliance, and handle violations or dismissals.
Crime Victims
Victims are explicitly entitled to receive restitution ordered as a mandatory term of probation under the new deferral process.
Key Facts
You don't have to trust us. Each fact below is taken straight from the official document - click any one to see the exact passage, highlighted in the original.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who qualifies for the new juvenile criminal deferral process?
What happens if a juvenile successfully completes the probation terms?
Can a juvenile receive multiple discharges under this section?
What else do you want to know?
News Coverage
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Votes, people, money & the original sourceWhere This Stands
This bill did not become law - Died at adjournment · introduced in the House.
Procedural history
3 actions- Feb 13, 2026HouseH Did not Consider for Introduction
- Feb 11, 2026Bill Number Assigned
- Feb 11, 2026HouseH Received for Introduction
Version history
Only one version on file - nothing to compare yet. As later stages (committee substitute, engrossed, enrolled) are captured, the redline appears here.
View official text →Lobbying Activity
No state lobbying filings in our records match this bill. Federal lobbying reports (LDA) cover Congress, so they are not listed on state bills.
Full breakdown
Who this bill affects and the strongest case for and against it, written only from the bill’s own text.
Sponsors
Discoveries
Patterns POLISCOPE noticed across the record. These are observations to investigate, not conclusions.
Introduction of Juvenile Criminal Deferral in Circuit Courts
The bill expands diversionary options by permitting circuit courts to manage misdemeanor deferrals for juveniles previously restricted to other title 14 mechanisms.
Connected Entities
Sources
www.wyoleg.gov
Analysis Score
0–100- Significance20Lowered because this bill did not pass (its text scored 65)
- Controversy20Intensity of disagreement among stakeholders
- Entertainment5Compellingness for a non-policy-wonk reader
- Buzz15Current news / social attention level
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