Statute of Limitations for Murder / First-Degree Murder in Wyoming

Overview

Wyoming’s statute of limitations (SOL) framework sets deadlines for when the state may file (or continue) criminal charges after an alleged offense. For the specific category you asked about—murder / first-degree murder—the SOL question usually turns on whether Wyoming treats it as subject to a general limitations period or if a special rule applies.

For this jurisdiction, DocketMath uses the general/default rule:

• No claim-type-specific sub-rule was found for murder/first-degree murder.
• The applicable deadline is therefore the general SOL period listed below.

If you want to quickly compute the last day to act under the general rule (based on an incident date and a chosen reference date concept), use DocketMath’s Statute of Limitations calculator at:

• /tools/statute-of-limitations

Limitation period

Default SOL for the offense category (using the general rule)

Wyoming’s general criminal SOL period for certain offenses is 4 years under the general limitations provision.

• General SOL period: 4 years
• General statute: **Wyo. Stat. § 1-3-105(a)(iv)(C)

Because no murder/first-degree murder-specific sub-rule was identified, the calculation below assumes the general/default 4-year period applies.

How DocketMath’s output changes with inputs

DocketMath’s calculator typically works by taking a date input (often the incident date or another starting date concept) and adding the applicable period (here, 4 years), producing a target deadline for charging under the SOL framework.

Common ways the output can shift:

• Earlier incident date → earlier deadline.
• Later incident date → later deadline.
• If you choose a different “starting date” concept in the calculator (when available), the computed expiration date will move accordingly, even though the SOL length remains 4 years.

Checklist to ensure you’re using the correct date concept:

Key exceptions

Wyoming’s SOL statutes can include exclusions, tolling, or other doctrines that change when the limitations clock effectively runs. While this page focuses on the general period and provides the statutory anchor, you should still expect that exceptions may arise depending on case facts and procedural history.

Below are the main categories to watch for, so you know what to investigate if a timeline question comes up:

1) Statutory tolling / suspension concepts

Many jurisdictions pause or extend SOL time limits when certain events occur (for example, certain procedural steps, defendant-related circumstances, or other statutory conditions). In SOL litigation, the key point is often whether the “clock” kept running uninterrupted.

What to do with this information in practice:

2) Effect of filing vs. expiration timing

A common operational issue is what the state must do before the SOL expires—e.g., initiating charging documents, filing information/indictment, or taking comparable steps. The “deadline” you compute is still only a first-pass tool; the procedural posture can determine how the SOL is applied.

Practical workflow:

3) Claims of special rule applicability

Even though this page uses the general/default 4-year period because no claim-type-specific murder sub-rule was found, there can be situations where a different limitations framework is argued based on charging details, statutory interpretation, or related provisions.

If you’re reviewing a murder/first-degree murder charge:

Statute citation

Wyoming’s general/default statute of limitations period for the relevant category used here is:

• Wyo. Stat. § 1-3-105(a)(iv)(C)

  • General SOL period: 4 years

Source: Wyoming Legislature (wyoleg.gov)

• https://www.wyoleg.gov/

Use the calculator

To compute the SOL deadline under Wyoming’s general/default 4-year rule, use DocketMath’s Statute of Limitations calculator:

• /tools/statute-of-limitations

Inputs to consider (and how they affect results)

Use these inputs to generate a date-based deadline:

• Jurisdiction: Wyoming (US-WY)
• Start date concept: typically the alleged offense/incident date (use the date concept that matches your scenario)
• SOL rule: default/general period (because no murder/first-degree murder-specific sub-rule was found in the jurisdiction data)

What you should expect:

• With the 4-year SOL, the expiration date generally equals:

  • Start date + 4 years
• If you change the start date, the expiration date shifts accordingly.
• If you switch away from the default/general rule (if the calculator offers multiple rule options), the computed deadline may change—though this page’s jurisdiction data indicates the general/default should be used for this analysis.

Quick validation tip:

Related reading

• Choosing the right statute of limitations tool for Vermont — Tool comparison
• Statute of limitations in Singapore: how to estimate the deadline — How-to guide
• Choosing the right statute of limitations tool for Connecticut — Tool comparison