Taylor Forrest Cobb v. The State of Wyoming

Summary

The Wyoming Supreme Court reversed and vacated Taylor Forrest Cobb’s felony conviction for possession of cocaine because the district court failed to provide the full firearms-rights and employment-consequences advisement required by Wyo. Stat. Ann. § 7-11-507(a)(ii). The matter was remanded for proceedings consistent with the order.

Holdings

1. An advisement that informs a defendant of the potential federal loss of firearm privileges satisfies § 7-11-507(a)(i), but does not satisfy § 7-11-507(a)(ii) unless it also advises that a defendant who works in an occupation requiring firearm possession may lose the right to engage in that profession or occupation.
2. Cobb's felony possession-of-cocaine conviction and sentence must be reversed and vacated because the district court entered judgment without providing the complete advisement required by Wyo. Stat. Ann. § 7-11-507.

Questions Presented

1. Whether the district court could enter judgment on Cobb's guilty plea without advising him that a conviction could cause him to lose the right to engage in an occupation requiring the carrying or possession of a firearm under Wyo. Stat. Ann. § 7-11-507(a)(ii).
2. Whether the felony possession-of-cocaine conviction and sentence should be reversed and vacated because the required advisement was omitted.

Disposition

reversed