Right to counsel
In proceedings under the Child Protection Act (which governs abuse/neglect proceedings), “the child’s parents, guardian or custodian shall be advised by the court of their right to be represented by counsel at every stage of the proceedings including appeal, and to employ counsel of their own choice.” Wyo. Stat. Ann. § 14-3-422(a). After advising them of their right to be represented by counsel, “[t]he court shall upon request appoint counsel to represent the child’s parents, guardian or custodian if the child’s parents, guardian or custodian are unable to obtain counsel.”
Additionally, in March 2023, Wyoming enacted the Wyoming Indian Child Welfare Act, Wyo. Stat. Ann. § 14-6-701 et seq., which provides indigent parents and Indian custodians with “the right to court-appointed counsel in any shelter care placement or termination proceeding” concerning an Indian child. Wyo. Stat. Ann. § 14-6-704(b).
