Ordinance 1st Reading (9/12/17 Special Meeting):  7/0

The Wyoming Supreme Court recently issued a decision which affects all municipal courts in the State.  Traditionally, municipal judges have placed individuals on probation along with a suspended fine for many types of offenses involving alcohol and illegal drug use.  Jail time was not imposed as part of the process, and under our City Code, jail time was excluded except for the third or more offense involving the same offense.

The Wyoming Supreme Court recently held that individuals cannot be place on probation if they are not also facing a jail sentence.  This Ordinance amends 16-1 of the Gillette City Code to impose jail time for certain offenses related to alcoholic beverages and illegal drugs.  The ultimate purpose behind this amendment is to allow the Municipal Court Judges to impose probation should the particular facts of any case before them lend itself to a sentence which would include probation.