Opinion ID: 158881
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Wyoming Law

Text: 15 Under Wyoming law, a peace officer may arrest a suspect without a written warrant when [t]he officer has probable cause to believe that a misdemeanor has been committed, that the person to be arrested has committed it and that the person, unless immediately arrested . . . [m]ay cause injury to himself or others or damage to property. Wyo. Stat. Ann. § 7-2-102(b)(iii)(B) (1999). 16 Davis concedes that concern might have been justified, but argues that probable cause to expect continued criminal activity was dissipated by the absence of weapons. We find to the contrary. At the time the officers arrested Davis, they had probable cause to believe that he had committed property destruction and defacement and breach of the peace. They also had reason to believe that Davis carried an automatic rifle. They had found ammunition, a holster and loaders, but had not found the gun. They had learned of an unfinished encounter with Duvall. Finally, they had found Davis under the influence of alcohol in a rowdy nightclub district. Under these circumstances the officers had ample cause under § 7-2-102 to believe that Davis had committed two misdemeanors and that he may have gone on to cause further injury or damage to person or property unless immediately arrested. Therefore, Davis' effective arrest was justified under Wyoming law. 17