628:
464:
29:
561:
within 30 days, the Chief
Justice of the Montana Supreme Court was empowered to do so. The 1972 constitution gave the Montana Senate the power to confirm or deny the nomination. Appointments were valid until the end of the next legislative session. If the appointed judge ran for election and was unopposed, voters were to be given the choice to "retain/do not retain". Although the constitution was silent on the issue, incumbent elected judges who ran unopposed were automatically re-elected to their judgeship.
553:
and §608 of the
Montana Code Annotated barred a District Court judge from running for a Montana Supreme Court position, and barred an Associate Justice of the Supreme Court from running for the position of Chief Justice. The Montana Supreme Court ruled these provisions of law unconstitutional in 1984. In 2010, the Montana Supreme Court held that "elective public office" did not include tribal office. Thus, a state judge could run for tribal office without running afoul of Article VII, Section 10.
307:
570:
adjourned, and remain on the bench for up to three years. The judge could then resign before the election. After the election, the governor could appoint a temporary judge once more, and again that judge could serve for up to three years. This clearly defied the will of the 1972 state constitutional convention, which wanted judges elected by voters rather than appointed by governors. By 1992, 41 percent of all
District Court judges were appointed, and had never faced voters.
331:
another court, and special actions or proceedings not otherwise provided for by law. District Courts have concurrent original jurisdiction with the justice of the peace courts over misdemeanors committed concurrently with a felony, misdemeanors arising from a reduction in the charge of felony, and misdemeanors found during trial in a
District Court. District Courts also have the power to issue writs and naturalize citizens.
350:. Justices of the Peace Courts are not "courts of record", which is why District Courts must try "the matter anew, the same as if it had not been heard before and as if no decision had been previously rendered." Appeals from City Courts and Municipal Courts which are, by law, defined as "courts of record" are the two exceptions, and such appeals are limited to a review of the record and questions of law.
619:
could accept the JSC's recommendation, but was not bound by it. It could, if it wished, impose a harsher sanction (and did so). However, the court also held that because the judge had voluntarily admitted misconduct but had not agreed to submit to sanction, the judge should be offered the opportunity to withdraw his voluntarily admission. This would trigger a new, formal JSC investigation.
449:, 552 P.2d 328 (Mont. 1976)., the state supreme court held that the failure of the state legislature to provide for direct appeal is no bar to such an appeal when the legislature has also provided for a general administrative appeal by statute. But only the legislature, not the executive branch, has the power to create such an appeal, the court said in
544:
run in any judicial district in the state. The 1972 state constitution changed this by requiring that candidates for
District Court be licensed to practice law in the state of Montana for at least five years and have resided in the state of Montana for at least two years. It deleted the age requirement, and prohibited judges from holding office in a political party.
636:
each county in the district be adjacent. The article also permitted the Chief
Justice of the Montana Supreme Court to assign District Court and other judges to temporary service in another judicial district or in another county. The state has maintained the number of courts at 56 and the number of judicial districts at 22 for some decades.
434:, 758 P.2d 279 (Mont. 1988).). However, where an attorney licensed to practice law in the state of Montana creates a contract which is to be performed both on tribal land and on state land, that attorney cannot evade the jurisdiction of the District Court by claiming tribal membership (
569:
permitted appointed
District Court judges to not face an election until after confirmation by the Montana Senate—even if this meant that the judge served past the formal expiration date of their term. This created a situation in which a judge could conceivably resign immediately after the legislature
543:
The 1889 constitution permitted anyone to run for the office of
District Court judge, so long as they were a citizen, had reached the age of 25, were licensed to practice law in the state, and had resided in Montana for at least a year. While judges had to resident in their district, candidates could
484:
In 1935, the state legislature enacted new legislation barring political parties from endorsing, making contributions to, or making expenditures on behalf of or against judicial candidates. In 1972, the new state constitution extended the terms of
District Judges to six years. In the wake of the U.S.
247:
routinely blocked
Montana statehood to retain the status quo balance of power in Congress. The impasse was broken in 1888 when the Democratic Party amended its platform to favor the statehood of Republican-controlled territories, and the Republican Party amended its platform to favor the statehood of
896:, 29 P. 735 (Mont. 1979)., the issue was the substitution and disqualification of District Court judges. If a District Court has not published rules regarding substitution and disqualification, the high court said, then Montana Supreme Court rules regarding the same hold sway. In
775:
of the proposals for adding judges would put a judge on the bench until 2019. Another proposal suggested shifting some counties with heavy workloads into districts with low workloads, but the vast distances in the state discouraged this. Although some legislators have suggested increasing the use of
586:
Article V, Section 13 of the 1972 Montana state constitution gives the legislature the power of impeachment over judges. The Montana Legislature may prescribe causes for impeachment. Impeachment may be brought only by a two-thirds vote of the House of Representatives, and conviction and removal from
552:
Article VII, Section 10 of the Montana constitution requires a District Court judge to forfeit his or her judgeship if they file for an elective public office (other than a judicial position) or are absent from the state for more than 60 consecutive days. Originally, Title 3, Chapter 1, Part 6, §607
358:
According to legal experts Larry M. Elison and Fritz Snyder, none of the pre-1972 Montana Supreme Court rulings regarding District Courts appear relevant today. Nearly all these cases dealt with very narrow interpretative issues, such as the equity jurisdiction of District Courts and the development
194:
elections for six-year terms. Mechanisms exist for removing judges for misconduct, and for filling vacancies between elections. There are 56 District Courts organized into 22 judicial districts, but only 51 District Court judges. Workload is a serious issue in the District Courts, which are assisted
774:
In 2017, the state legislature considered several solutions. One bill would have added two judges in the 13th District, and one judge each in the 4th, 8th, and 11th Districts. The House passed a bill in mid-February which added two judges to the 13th District, and just one to the 4th and 11th. None
762:
The number of judges is very low considering the workload. In 2002, Montana District Courts heard 10,673 civil cases and 7,046 criminal cases. Yet, in 2003, the maximum number of judges in a judicial district was just four. The total number of judges was 42 in 2006, and 43 in 2011. Judges have been
560:
nominated a replacement according to whatever manner was prescribed by law. Subsequent state law provided for the creation of a Judicial Nomination Commission, whose duty was to draw up a list of potential replacements for the governor to choose from. If the governor declined to make the nomination
330:
establishes the jurisdiction of Montana District Courts. District Courts have original jurisdiction in all criminal felony cases, all civil and probate matters, cases at law and in equity, civil actions involving monetary claims against the state, misdemeanors not falling under the jurisdiction of
251:
At the 1889 Montana state constitutional convention, delegates retained nearly all the language of the 1884 constitution. However, county courts were abolished and jurisdiction for probate given to district courts. The number of district courts was expanded to eight from four. The 1889 constitution
902:, 618 P.2d 1097 (Mont. 1984)., the issue was whether a District Court could continue to operate even though its budget for the fiscal year had ended. Here, the Supreme Court said that District Courts had the authority to order the state to pay reasonable and necessary expenses.
635:
The 1889 state constitution provided for dividing the state into seven judicial districts. Article VII, Section 6 of the 1972 constitution permitted the state legislature to determine the number of judicial districts, with the proviso that each district be composed only of whole counties, and that
480:
provides for the election, rather than appointment of District Court judges. The 1889 constitution limited District Court judges to four-year terms. The state legislature enacted a law in 1909 mandating these elections be nonpartisan, and providing for nomination by citizen petition. The Montana
618:
In 2014, the high court addressed the issue of whether it could sanction a judge without a formal recommendation from the JSC. In this case, a District Court judge had voluntarily admitted his misconduct, and the JSC recommended public censure to the Supreme Court. The Supreme Court held that it
860:, resource allocation, technology, and workload and work schedules are among the items the District Court Council is required to address. The council consists of the Chief Justice of the Montana Supreme Court and four District Court judges (at least one of whom must not be from a major city).
590:
State law also provides for the censure, disability retirement, removal, or suspension of a judge. The law established a Judicial Standards Commission (JSC), which was authorized to receive and investigate complaints, allow the accused to defend him or her self, and make recommendations to the
604:
decision, the Montana Legislature clarified the procedural requirements, so that the JSC could engage in an initial investigation without a verified, written complaint. Beyond that, however, the legislature now required the JSC to obtain a verified, written complaint. In
428:. Two cases have concerned District Court jurisdiction over agreements made on tribal land. Where one party is a tribal member and the other party is a non-member, but both reside on a reservation, District Courts have no jurisdiction the Montana Supreme Court has held (
642:
Montana Code Annotated, Title 3, Chapter 1, Part 1, §125 requires each county to provide space to the District Court. This includes a courtroom, administrative office space, and other space as needed for court operations. The costs of this space are born by the state.
207:, and municipal courts such as the legislature might see fit to create. Four judicial districts were created, each with a district court. National politics delayed Montana's statehood, however, in part because a significant number of other territories (
564:
By the late 1980s, a worrisome situation had emerged. First, in 1974, state law was changed so that the legislature met every two years, not every year. Second, rulings in the late 1980s by the Montana Supreme Court and advisory opinions issued by the
409:, 684 P.2d 481 (Mont. 1984)., a District Court has jurisdiction over an adult being tried for crimes committed when the defendant was a minor. Jurisdictional conflict is common in Montana, as the state is home to several sovereign
531:(the new name of Western Tradition Partnership) had not registered as a political committee under Montana law. American Tradition Partnership spent little money in Montana in 2013, but began spending heavily again in judicial races in 2014. The
403:, 705 P.2d 94 (Mont. 1985)., the high court held that, when a Youth Court has terminated, there is no bar to exercise of jurisdiction by the district court over felony proceedings against a minor. Further, the court held in
577:
to voters closing the appointment loophole by limiting appointed judges to the term of their predecessor. The "retain/do not retain" choice was also applied to incumbent elected judges as well. Voters approved the amendment in November 1992.
766:
An independent study of District Court workload in 2016 found that the state needed another 21 District Court judges to bring workload levels down to acceptable levels. In the busiest judicial districts, 46 district court judges and four
285:
In 1972, Montana held a constitutional convention to update and revise its state constitution. Under the new constitution, District Courts now had jurisdiction only over criminal felonies, while criminal misdemeanors were handled by
763:
added to the system only irregularly, in 1979, 1983, 1999, 2001, 2005, and 2009. As of the end of 2016, there were just 46 judges, and only the 13th District had been permitted by the legislature to expand beyond four judges.
600:, 643 P.2d 210 (Mont. 1982)., the high court ruled that charges against judges had to rise to the level of constitutionally proscribed misconduct in office before the JSC could investigate. Following the
413:
and non-resident landowners are common. The right of the Montana District Court to exercise original jurisdiction in a probate case involving a judgment by an out-of-state court was upheld by the Montana Supreme Court in
294:. The new constitution also authorized the legislature to establish a right to appeal the decisions of state agencies directly to district courts. Impeachment powers were changed as well. Now the Montana Senate and the
871:
867:
1510:
851:
Montana Code Annotated, Title 3, Chapter 1, Part 16 establishes a District Court Council to develop and adopt policies and procedures regarding the administration of the District Courts. Court procedures,
574:
298:
jointly vested with impeachment powers. The entire legislature could now specify the criteria for impeachment, establish whatever tribunal it wished, and provide for the procedures for impeachment.
1227:
771:
were doing the work of 65 judges. In the 8th Judicial District, the number of divorce cases was so heavy that judges stopped hearing cases; all divorce cases were handled by special masters.
879:
359:
of extraordinary writs. These cases reflect the narrow jurisdiction granted to District Courts under the 1889 constitution, which was significantly expanded in the 1972 state constitution.
611:, 50 P.3d 150 (Mont. 2002)., the high court affirmed the JSC's power to subpoena documents. In that case, a preliminary JSC investigation uncovered evidence that the
875:
1175:
443:
The unique constitutional provision for direct appeal of the ruling of an executive branch agency to a District Court has also been clarified by the Montana Supreme Court. In
806:
517:, 567 U.S. ____ (Sup.Ct. 2012)., which opened the door to vastly increased PAC and political party spending on judicial races in Montana. In 2012, a
615:
was conducting a criminal investigation of a judge. The JSC obtained documents about the criminal investigation, and found they warranted a sanction against the judge.
387:, 681 P.2d 42 (Mont. 1984). that District Court jurisdiction cannot be waived or conferred by consent of the parties. Youth Courts, created by the
314:
District Courts in Montana have both original and appellate jurisdiction. Each District Court's process extends to all parts of the state, and the District Courts are
290:. No longer was the legislature required to establish inferior courts only in incorporated cities or towns, and the District Courts were required to hear appeals
203:
Montana became a state in 1889. A state constitution was drafted in 1884, which established a system of courts: A supreme court, district courts, county courts,
183:
regarding cases that arise in Justice Courts, City Courts, and Municipal Courts (Courts of Limited Jurisdiction) as well as Judicial review of decisions by state
179:. They may also hear certain special actions and proceedings, and oversee a narrowly-defined class of ballot issues. Montana District Courts also have limited
1201:
646:
Montana Code Annotated, Title 3, Chapter 5, Part 1, §102 establishes the number of judges in each judicial district. As of 2016, the number of judges was:
843:; reduced sentencing and other incentives to encourage the individual to stay in treatment; and much more regular, much more frequent judicial oversight.
1666:
512:
481:
Supreme Court struck down this law in 1911 after finding that it provided for no means of nominating judges in newly created judicial districts.
235:) were all seeking statehood. Statehood for Montana was also stymied, specifically, because Montana voters of the day overwhelmingly favored the
1478:
504:
488:
310:
The Missoula County Courthouse, seat of the 4th Judicial District of the Montana District Court (which covers Mineral and Missoula counties).
381:
Several Montana Supreme Court cases since 1972 have clarified the jurisdiction of the District Courts. The state supreme court held in
366:
in District Courts is straightforward and traditional, relying on a widespread, national legal consensus. The most important cases are
535:
ruling led to record spending of $ 1.6 million in the 2014 Montana Supreme Court races. Spending surpassed that in the 2016 contests.
260:) only in state-incorporated cities or towns. The jurisdiction of district courts was specified somewhat in detail, and included both
1413:
1251:
786:
1354:
1661:
631:
The Gallatin County Courthouse, seat of the 18th Judicial District of the Montana District Court (which covers Gallatin County).
591:
Montana Supreme Court. The Supreme Court then would decide if punishment were warranted, and, if so, what type of punishment.
244:
627:
815:
used by District Courts and some inferior courts. The docket provides specialized attention to misdemeanor or felony crimes,
467:
The Cascade County Courthouse, seat of the 8th Judicial District of the Montana District Court (which covers Cascade County).
268:
not otherwise assigned to another court. District courts acted as an intermediate court of appeals, and could not hear cases
556:
Article VII, Section 8 of the Montana constitution governs vacancies on District Courts. Under the 1972 constitution, the
346:
Except as otherwise provided for by law, District Courts act as appellate courts for inferior courts, and must hear cases
827:
to drugs or alcohol. Drug courts provide treatment as well as sanctions, with the goal of treating addiction, reducing
1637:
1616:
1595:
1574:
1533:
420:, 760 P.2d 718 (Mont. 1988). This case is even more notable because the out-of-state court was a
509:, 2011 MT 328 (Sup.Ct. 2011). But a year later, the U.S. Supreme Court overturned the ruling in
776:
295:
275:
240:
236:
587:
office may occur only by a two-thirds vote of the Senate. Impeachment does not bar civil or criminal prosecution.
658:
501:
solutions to environmental problems, sued to overturn the 1935 law. The Montana Supreme Court upheld the law in
528:
494:
1656:
890:
The Montana Supreme Court has twice had occasion to rule on administrative issues facing District Courts. In
612:
566:
168:
732:
421:
594:
The Montana Supreme Court twice ruled on the Judicial Standards Commission's investigative procedures. In
651:
204:
138:
692:
662:
519:
857:
740:
728:
708:
685:
678:
666:
794:
752:
744:
736:
704:
674:
670:
477:
327:
287:
100:
96:
92:
66:
639:
Article VII, Section 6 of the 1972 constitution set District Court judicial terms at six years.
785:, 57 P.3d 41 (Mont. 2002). that this would violate a citizen's fundamental
724:
720:
716:
712:
700:
696:
180:
153:
78:
1322:
748:
228:
220:
145:
8:
1264:
832:
557:
335:
790:
410:
257:
184:
1563:
1633:
1612:
1591:
1570:
911:
232:
208:
1265:
Proposed 1972 Constitution for the State of Montana: Official Text With Explanation
425:
212:
836:
463:
391:
in 1974, are the equivalent of district courts, the Montana Supreme Court held in
1627:
1606:
1585:
315:
253:
216:
73:
28:
1355:
1972-Current Historical Constitutional Initiatives and Constitutional Amendments
866:
members include at least one chief juvenile probation officer nominated by the
853:
812:
768:
363:
279:
224:
191:
1650:
820:
306:
270:
161:
157:
816:
498:
265:
141:
1414:
Constitution of the State of Montana, Article VIII, §12 and §13 (1889).
862:
828:
1608:
The Judicial Branch of State Government: People, Process, and Politics
840:
824:
187:
tribunals that fall under the Montana Administrative Procedures Act.
1605:
Rausch, John David Jr. (2006). "Montana". In Hogan, Sean O. (ed.).
252:
also limited the creation of inferior courts (such as intermediate
353:
1531:
1262:
538:
172:
149:
1176:"Supreme Court's Montana decision strengthens 'Citizens United'"
417:
In the Matter of the Estates of Jeffrey Connor Wilhelm, Deceased
1252:
Constitution of the State of Montana, Article VIII, §16 (1889).
1132:
334:
District Courts have the power to enforce the decisions of the
261:
164:
152:. Montana District Courts have original jurisdiction over most
86:
1511:"House endorses new judges for Missoula, Yellowstone counties"
1122:
1120:
1118:
1116:
1114:
1112:
1110:
288:
City Courts, Justice of the Peace Courts, and Municipal Courts
160:), civil actions involving monetary claims against the state,
126:
1003:
1001:
999:
986:
984:
982:
980:
978:
976:
974:
831:, and improving rehabilitation. Drug courts rely heavily on
807:
Drug courts in city, justice, and municipal courts in Montana
1534:
Montana Drug Courts: An Updated Snapshot of Success and Hope
1423:
1421:
1372:
1107:
949:
947:
945:
932:
930:
928:
926:
779:, even in criminal law, the Montana Supreme Court ruled in
369:
Stewart v. Board of County Commissioners of Big Horn County
195:
in their administrative tasks by a District Court Council.
176:
33:
The 22 judicial districts of the District Courts of Montana
1352:
1320:
1081:
Montana Code Annotated, Title 3, Chapter 11, Part 1, §110.
996:
971:
959:
1539:(Report). Helena, Mont.: Montana Supreme Court. p. 2
1479:"Montana needs more judges: Legislature should pass HB44"
1418:
1090:
Montana Code Annotated, Title 3, Chapter 6, Part 1, §110.
1058:
Montana Code Annotated, Title 3, Chapter 5, Part 3, §303.
1049:
Montana Code Annotated, Title 3, Chapter 7, Part 2, §212.
1040:
Montana Code Annotated, Title 3, Chapter 1, Part 1, §102.
1031:
Montana Code Annotated, Title 3, Chapter 5, Part 3, §304.
1022:
Montana Code Annotated, Title 3, Chapter 5, Part 3, §302.
811:
Drug courts are not actual courts, but rather a separate
1440:
1438:
1436:
1157:
1155:
1153:
1151:
1149:
1147:
942:
923:
1532:
Office of the Court Administrator (January 22, 2013).
1433:
1228:"Sandefur leads Juras in early Supreme Court returns"
1144:
608:
State ex rel. Smartt v. Judicial Standards Commission
397:, 692 P.2d 1227 (Mont. 1984). In
372:, 573 P.2d 184 (Mont. 1977). and
1390:
Montana Code Annotated, Title 3, Chapter 1, Part 11.
1343:
Montana Code Annotated, Title 3, Chapter 1, Part 10.
493:, 558 U.S. 310 (Sup.Ct. 2010).,
1450:
597:
State ex rel. Shea v. Judicial Standards Commission
440:, 577 P.2d 392 (Mont. 1978).).
1562:
885:
839:addiction treatment programs; frequent, mandatory
1587:The Montana State Constitution: A Reference Guide
1290:, 679 P.2d 1223 (Mont. 1984).
1072:, 303 P.3d 1279 (Mont. 2013).
455:, 639 P.2d 498 (Mont. 1982).
378:, 711 P.2d 822 (Mont. 1985).
1648:
1404:, 2014 MT 1490 (Mont. 2014).
1104:, 291 P.3d 572 (Mont. 2012).
872:Montana Association of Clerks of District Courts
823:cases, and juvenile cases involving individuals
375:O'Donnell Fire Service and Equipment v. Billings
1304:, 2010 MT 285 (Mont. 2010).
868:Montana Juvenile Probation Officers Association
513:American Tradition Partnership, Inc. v. Bullock
354:Case law on standing, jurisdiction, and appeals
539:Qualifications for election and office-holding
505:Western Tradition Partnership, Inc. v. Montana
489:Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission
1473:
1471:
1469:
1467:
1465:
1287:Committee for an Effective Judiciary v. State
1583:
1378:
1316:
1314:
1312:
1310:
1138:
1126:
1018:
1016:
1007:
990:
965:
953:
936:
870:, one District Court clerk nominated by the
1625:
1427:
1353:Montana Secretary of State (June 8, 2015).
874:; one county commissioner nominated by the
1462:
1323:Montana Voter's Guide to the 1992 Election
1263:Montana Constitutional Convention (1972).
878:; and one court reporter nominated by the
581:
27:
1307:
1013:
846:
341:
1667:Courts and tribunals established in 1889
1584:Elison, Larry M.; Snyder, Fritz (2001).
1202:"American Tradition Partnership Is Back"
899:State ex rel. District Court v. Whitaker
626:
462:
338:arising within their judicial district.
321:
305:
1504:
1502:
1500:
1199:
1649:
1604:
1444:
1267:(Report). Helena, Mont. pp. 12–13
1225:
1173:
1161:
758:One judge each in all other districts.
406:State ex rel. Elliot v. District Court
245:United States House of Representatives
16:American state trial courts in Montana
1560:
1456:
1200:Johnson, Charles S. (April 6, 2014).
471:
190:District Court judges are elected in
1590:. Westport, Conn.: Greenwood Press.
1508:
1497:
1325:(Report). Helena, Mont. pp. 4–7
1611:. Santa Barbara, Calif.: ABC-CLIO.
1401:In the Matter of Hon. G. Todd Baugh
1321:Montana Secretary of State (1992).
880:Montana Court Reporters Association
684:Three judges in the 18th District (
575:referred a constitutional amendment
248:Democratic-controlled territories.
13:
1226:Fraser, Jayme (November 8, 2016).
782:Kloss v. Edward D. Jones & Co.
14:
1678:
1360:(Report). Helena, Mont. p. 7
1301:In the Matter of Leroy Not Afraid
650:Six judges in the 13th District (
573:In 1992, the Montana Legislature
362:Montana Supreme Court rulings on
278:powers were vested solely in the
1509:Volz, Matt (February 16, 2017).
1174:Weiner, Rachel (June 25, 2012).
446:School District No. 12 v. Hughes
296:Montana House of Representatives
1554:
1525:
1407:
1393:
1384:
1346:
1337:
1293:
1279:
1256:
1245:
1219:
1193:
1167:
1093:
1084:
1075:
1061:
1052:
886:Case law regarding organization
876:Montana Association of Counties
751:counties), and 21st Districts (
622:
301:
1662:1889 establishments in Montana
1569:. Chicago: Heinemann Library.
1043:
1034:
1025:
533:American Tradition Partnership
529:American Tradition Partnership
476:Article VII, Section 8 of the
452:Nye v. Department of Livestock
326:Article VII, Section 4 of the
1:
917:
800:
657:Four judges each in the 1st (
613:Montana Department of Justice
495:Western Tradition Partnership
691:Two judges each in the 2nd (
547:
458:
422:United States district court
7:
1632:. New York: Rosen Central.
1626:Porterfield, Jason (2011).
905:
567:Attorney General of Montana
93:Justice of the Peace Courts
10:
1683:
804:
485:Supreme Court's ruling in
198:
1629:Montana: Past and Present
1206:Helena Independent Record
858:human resource management
497:, a group which promotes
394:In re T.L.G. & M.E.H.
122:
114:
106:
84:
72:
62:
54:
46:
38:
26:
21:
1379:Elison & Snyder 2001
1139:Elison & Snyder 2001
1127:Elison & Snyder 2001
1008:Elison & Snyder 2001
991:Elison & Snyder 2001
966:Elison & Snyder 2001
954:Elison & Snyder 2001
937:Elison & Snyder 2001
256:, municipal courts, and
677:), and 11th Districts (
582:Impeachment and removal
478:Constitution of Montana
389:Montana Youth Court Act
328:Constitution of Montana
135:Montana District Courts
67:Constitution of Montana
22:Montana District Courts
847:District Court Council
787:rights to a jury trial
632:
468:
342:Appellate jurisdiction
311:
181:appellate jurisdiction
630:
466:
322:Original jurisdiction
309:
205:justices of the peace
156:cases (at law and in
148:in the U.S. state of
79:Montana Supreme Court
58:Non-partisan election
1657:Montana state courts
1561:Boone, Mary (2004).
1101:Siebken v. Voderberg
229:Washington Territory
221:New Mexico Territory
146:general jurisdiction
127:courts.mt.gov/dcourt
1483:Great Falls Tribune
1180:The Washington Post
1141:, pp. 144–145.
777:binding arbitration
558:Governor of Montana
411:Indian reservations
336:Montana Water Court
258:small claims courts
115:Number of positions
1513:. Associated Press
1485:. January 28, 2017
893:State v. Daugherty
652:Yellowstone County
633:
525:Big Sky, Big Money
472:Judicial elections
469:
312:
185:administrative law
55:Composition method
912:Courts of Montana
743:counties), 20th (
715:counties), 16th (
693:Silver Bow County
233:Wyoming Territory
209:Arizona Territory
132:
131:
107:Judge term length
50:Judicial District
1674:
1643:
1622:
1601:
1580:
1568:
1565:Uniquely Montana
1549:
1548:
1546:
1544:
1538:
1529:
1523:
1522:
1520:
1518:
1506:
1495:
1494:
1492:
1490:
1475:
1460:
1454:
1448:
1442:
1431:
1428:Porterfield 2011
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1069:McDunn v. Arnold
1065:
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1005:
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934:
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797:, among others.
795:equal protection
784:
673:counties), 8th (
665:counties), 4th (
610:
599:
527:, revealed that
516:
508:
492:
454:
448:
439:
433:
431:Geiger v. Pierce
419:
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396:
386:
377:
371:
316:courts of record
254:appellate courts
237:Republican Party
213:Dakota Territory
175:cases, and most
101:Municipal Courts
89:
31:
19:
18:
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989:
972:
968:, pp. 3–4.
964:
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952:
943:
935:
924:
920:
908:
897:
891:
888:
849:
809:
803:
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769:special masters
686:Gallatin County
679:Flathead County
659:Lewis and Clark
625:
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595:
584:
550:
541:
510:
502:
486:
474:
461:
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437:Crawford v. Roy
435:
429:
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217:Idaho Territory
201:
85:
34:
17:
12:
11:
5:
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1524:
1496:
1461:
1449:
1447:, p. 302.
1432:
1417:
1406:
1392:
1383:
1381:, p. 132.
1371:
1345:
1336:
1306:
1292:
1278:
1255:
1244:
1218:
1192:
1166:
1164:, p. 304.
1143:
1131:
1129:, p. 145.
1106:
1092:
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1074:
1060:
1051:
1042:
1033:
1024:
1012:
1010:, p. 140.
995:
993:, p. 144.
970:
958:
941:
921:
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916:
915:
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907:
904:
887:
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854:court reporter
848:
845:
802:
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760:
759:
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753:Ravalli County
689:
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675:Cascade County
655:
624:
621:
583:
580:
549:
546:
540:
537:
473:
470:
460:
457:
400:Steve v. Beach
384:State v. Davis
355:
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280:Montana Senate
225:Utah Territory
200:
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169:naturalization
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1466:
1459:, p. 30.
1458:
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1437:
1430:, p. 25.
1429:
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61:
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49:
45:
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37:
30:
25:
20:
1628:
1607:
1586:
1564:
1555:Bibliography
1543:February 26,
1541:. Retrieved
1527:
1517:February 24,
1515:. Retrieved
1489:February 24,
1487:. Retrieved
1482:
1452:
1409:
1400:
1395:
1386:
1374:
1364:February 24,
1362:. Retrieved
1348:
1339:
1329:February 24,
1327:. Retrieved
1300:
1295:
1286:
1281:
1271:February 24,
1269:. Retrieved
1258:
1247:
1237:February 25,
1235:. Retrieved
1231:
1221:
1211:February 25,
1209:. Retrieved
1205:
1195:
1185:February 25,
1183:. Retrieved
1179:
1169:
1134:
1100:
1095:
1086:
1077:
1068:
1063:
1054:
1045:
1036:
1027:
961:
956:, p. 4.
939:, p. 3.
898:
892:
889:
861:
850:
841:drug testing
810:
781:
773:
765:
761:
733:Powder River
645:
641:
638:
634:
623:Organization
617:
607:
601:
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313:
302:Jurisdiction
291:
284:
269:
266:misdemeanors
250:
243:-controlled
202:
189:
142:trial courts
134:
133:
118:One to eight
87:Appeals from
47:Jurisdiction
1445:Rausch 2006
1162:Rausch 2006
817:child abuse
791:due process
499:free market
276:Impeachment
192:nonpartisan
97:City Courts
39:Established
1651:Categories
1457:Boone 2004
918:References
863:Ex officio
829:recidivism
805:See also:
801:Drug court
663:Broadwater
241:Democratic
74:Appeals to
548:Vacancies
520:Frontline
459:Selection
110:Six years
906:See also
825:addicted
741:Treasure
729:Garfield
709:Richland
695:), 7th (
667:Missoula
426:New York
364:standing
262:felonies
162:criminal
137:are the
837:alcohol
745:Sanders
737:Rosebud
705:Prairie
671:Mineral
348:de novo
292:de novo
271:de novo
199:History
173:probate
167:cases,
150:Montana
123:Website
1636:
1615:
1594:
1573:
813:docket
793:, and
739:, and
725:Fallon
721:Custer
717:Carter
713:Wibaux
711:, and
701:McCone
697:Dawson
239:. The
231:, and
165:felony
158:equity
99:, and
1537:(PDF)
1358:(PDF)
177:writs
154:civil
139:state
1634:ISBN
1613:ISBN
1592:ISBN
1571:ISBN
1545:2017
1519:2017
1491:2017
1366:2017
1331:2017
1273:2017
1239:2017
1213:2017
1187:2017
835:and
833:drug
819:and
749:Lake
747:and
669:and
661:and
602:Shea
264:and
42:1889
424:in
144:of
1653::
1499:^
1481:.
1464:^
1435:^
1420:^
1309:^
1230:.
1204:.
1178:.
1146:^
1109:^
1015:^
998:^
973:^
944:^
925:^
882:.
789:,
755:).
735:,
731:,
727:,
723:,
719:,
707:,
703:,
699:,
318:.
282:.
274:.
227:,
223:,
219:,
215:,
211:,
95:,
1642:.
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1600:.
1579:.
1547:.
1521:.
1493:.
1368:.
1333:.
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1241:.
1215:.
1189:.
688:)
681:)
654:)
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