Laramie Attorney Arrested on Warrant

A Laramie defense attorney who failed to show up for hearings in Laramie County Circuit Court was arrested on a contempt of court charge last week.

Judge Antoinette Healy issued a bench warrant April 8 for the arrest of 51-year-old Michael Robert Vang. According to court documents, Vang was arrested and booked into the Albany County Detention Center April 11. He posted $500 cash bond and was released April 12.

Court documents show Vang missed a March 29 hearing at which his client, Patrick J. Mesker, was set to change his plea. Laramie County Detention Center records show Mesker was arrested Oct. 20 on a DUI charge.

After Vang missed the March hearing, Healy that same day ordered Vang to appear for an April 5 hearing to show why he should not be held in contempt of court.

The order says if Vang failed to appear, a bench warrant would be issued for his arrest. Vang didn’t show up, and Healy issued the warrant three days later.

According to the Laramie County Circuit Court, Vang was properly notified of the hearings and did not provide any reasons for his absences or attempt to make other arrangements.

Vang is set to be arraigned on the contempt of court charge, a misdemeanor, April 25 at 9 a.m.

A Casper native and graduate of Kelly Walsh High School, Vang is a founding member of the DUI Defense Lawyers Association. According to his biography, he has been a member of the National College of DUI Defense since 1997.

Vang has not returned a phone call seeking comment.