Wyoming Mock Trial Rules

Key Differences from Federal Rules of Evidence

• Wyoming Rule 702 applies a Daubert standard after Bunting v. Jamieson (2009), requiring trial courts to ensure expert testimony is reliable and relevant before admitting it
• Wyoming Rule 404(b) follows the Gleason framework (Gleason v. State, 2002): the state must identify a proper purpose, show the evidence is relevant, and demonstrate probative value outweighs prejudicial effect
• Wyoming Rule 803(24) (residual exception) is applied conservatively and requires clear circumstantial guarantees of trustworthiness, advance notice, and materiality

Notable Rules

Key Features

• Wyoming follows liberal notice pleading under W.R.C.P. 8, closely tracking the federal rules
• Criminal speedy trial requires commencement within 180 days of arraignment under W.R.Cr.P. 48
• Wyoming District Courts are the sole courts of general jurisdiction; no intermediate appellate court exists (appeals go directly to the Wyoming Supreme Court)

• Civil juries consist of 6 jurors; verdict requires at least 5 of 6 concurrence
• Criminal felony juries consist of 12 jurors with unanimous verdicts required
• Misdemeanor juries consist of 6 jurors; unanimous verdict required under Wyoming law