JACKSON, Wyo. — The Teton County Board of County Commissioners voted unanimously on Tuesday, selecting Attorney Richard “Dick” Stout to replace Teton County and Prosecuting Attorney Erin Weisman, who was appointed Circuit Court Judge for the Ninth District by Governor Mark Gordon.
The special meeting was held on July 23 and included interviews with the three candidates, submitted by the Teton County Democratic Central Committee because Weisman was the Democratic candidate in 2022. Stout will serve Weisman’s remaining term beginning Aug. 5 and can run again in 2026.
Prior to this appointment, Stout practiced criminal defense law and is a partner at Difazio Law Offices in Jackson. As a criminal defense lawyer, he made a name for himself locally defending DUI and substance-related offenders and is known for the “Dick Stout Got Me Off” sticker that can be found slapped around town.
He also volunteers as the Commission-appointed Circuit Court Magistrate Judge for the Teton County Court Supervised Treatment Program, which offers a minimum 12-month program as an alternative to jail time and standard probation for community members who have repeat substance abuse offenses. The program caseload is currently at eight.
According to the county, “The program began in April 2004 and provides a non-adversarial courtroom atmosphere in which a single judge and a dedicated team of probation, treatment, family support, defense, prosecution and law enforcement professionals review cases and work with participants to break the cycle of drug abuse and criminal behavior.”
Stout holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Kentucky and graduated from the University of Louisville, Brandeis School of Law in 2007.
Attorneys Zane Aukee and Andrew Hardenbrook were the other two candidates who have experience working in the County and Prosecuting Attorney’s office.
Hardenbrook is the current deputy prosecuting attorney for the county and Aukee was his former boss, appointed as chief deputy prosecutor in May 2023. Aukee first joined the prosecuting Attorney’s office in 2019 as deputy prosecuting attorney. Aukee has since left the office to form a private law office. According to its website, Zane Aukee Law is “launching soon” and states that the law office defends against a wide range of crimes including but not limited to DUI, drug offenses, theft, assault and white-collar crimes.
The County Prosecuting and Attorney’s Office oversees the criminal division, prosecuting misdemeanors and felonies that occur in the county; and the civil division, which acts as legal counsel for the county’s elected officials, staff and the volunteer boards. Currently, Chief Deputy County Attorney Keith Gingery and Deputy County Attorney Abigail Moore serve on the civil side.
All juvenile matters including delinquency, neglect and children in need of supervision and involuntary hospitalization proceedings for persons who are mentally ill are filed by the Teton County and Prosecuting Attorney.
