Montana inferior courts

Montana has had two constitutions in its history, both of which have authorized inferior courts.

The constitution of 1889 explicitly authorized the creation of justice courts (and justices of the peace),[http://www.umt.edu/media/law/library/MontanaConstitution/Miscellaneous%20Documents/1889_const.pdf Constitution of the State of Montana, Article VIII, §1, §§20-23 (1889).] police courts (and police magistrates), and municipal courts.[http://www.umt.edu/media/law/library/MontanaConstitution/Miscellaneous%20Documents/1889_const.pdf Constitution of the State of Montana, Article VIII, §24 (1889).] None of these courts were courts of record.[http://www.umt.edu/media/law/library/MontanaConstitution/Miscellaneous%20Documents/1889_const.pdf Constitution of the State of Montana, Article VIII, §25 (1889).] Justices of the peace were to be elected,[http://www.umt.edu/media/law/library/MontanaConstitution/Miscellaneous%20Documents/1889_const.pdf Constitution of the State of Montana, Article VIII, §20 (1889).] but the constitution left it up to the legislature to decide how police magistrates and municipal court judges were to be named. All three courts had very limited jurisdiction.[http://www.umt.edu/media/law/library/MontanaConstitution/Miscellaneous%20Documents/1889_const.pdf Constitution of the State of Montana, Article VIII, §§221, 24 (1889).]{{sfn|Elison|Snyder|2001|page=144}} The 1889 constitution also restricted the creation of inferior courts only to state-incorporated cities or towns.{{sfn|Elison|Snyder|2001|page=4}}

Montana voters approved a new state constitution in 1972. Article VII, Section 1 of this constitution authorized the state legislature to create Justice Courts as well as whatever other inferior courts it deemed necessary. Section 5 specifically required there to be at least one Justice Court and Justice of the Peace in each county, and for justices of the peace to be elected. It also authorized the legislature to give Justice Courts whatever jurisdiction the legislature deemed fit, although the constitution barred Justice Courts from hearing any felony cases except during preliminary hearings. Section 9 allowed the legislature to define the method of selection for non-justice inferior courts, and to establish the qualifications for office for all inferior courts. Section 10 barred any inferior court judge from running for elective office (other than another judicial position), while Section 11 provided for a new statewide Judicial Standards Committee to hear cases of misconduct and recommend sanctions (up to and including removal from the bench) to the Montana Supreme Court.{{cite report|author=Montana Constitutional Convention|title=Proposed 1972 Constitution for the State of Montana: Official Text With Explanation|location=Helena, Mont.|date=1972|access-date=February 24, 2017|pages=12–13|url=https://archive.org/details/proposed1972cons00montrich}}

Trial in all inferior courts may be by judge or by jury, at the discretion of the criminal or civil defendant.{{sfn|State Bar of Montana|2010|pages=3-4}}

Justice Courts, also known as Justice of the Peace Courts, have jurisdiction over civil suits involving less than $5,000, misdemeanors, misdemeanor charges of driving under the influence, traffic violations, fish and game violations, protective orders, and preliminary hearings. They also act as a small claims court, hearing small claims involving less than $3,000.

They generally do not handle cases involving minors, except for cases involving possession of alcohol or tobacco, gambling, fish and game violations, and traffic offenses. Their process covers the county in which they are located. When there is no city or municipal court in a county, the justice court hears cases involving both city and county city ordinances. There is no qualification to be a justice of the peace. The office is elected, and vacancies are filled by the commissioners of the county in which the court is located.{{sfn|State Bar of Montana|2010|page=3}}

There are 62 justice courts in Montana. Each county has the right to determine if its justice court will be a court of record. Only three counties have done so: Cascade County, Flathead County, and Lewis and Clark County. Both Cascade and Flathead county have two justices of the peace, due to the heavy workload in those counties.{{sfn|State Bar of Montana|2010|page=3}}

Justice Court Judges, under MCA 46-5-220, can sign Search Warrants.https://leg.mt.gov/bills/mca/title_0460/chapter_0050/part_0020/section_0200/0460-0050-0020-0200.html

City Courts generally have the same jurisdiction as Justice Courts, but their jurisdiction extends only to the enforcement of city ordinances. Their process covers the city in which they are located. There is no qualification for office. Each city determines whether the city court judge will be appointed or elected.{{sfn|State Bar of Montana|2010|page=3}}

There are 81 city courts in Montana. None of them are courts of record.{{sfn|State Bar of Montana|2010|page=3}}

Similar to Justice Court Judges, City Court Judges can also sign Search Warrants, as per MCA 46-5-220.

Municipal Courts generally have the same jurisdiction as Justice Courts, but with some important differences. Their jurisdiction does not extend to the enforcement of city ordinances, and they can hear civil suits involving up to $7,000. Unlike Justice or City Courts, Municipal Courts may issue arrest warrants for felony crimes. Their process covers the city in which they are located. Municipal Court judges must be lawyers, and must be elected to office.{{sfn|State Bar of Montana|2010|page=3}}

There are just five Municipal Courts in Montana, and all of them are courts of record.{{sfn|State Bar of Montana|2010|page=3}}

Like with City Court Judges and Justice Court Judges, Municipal Court Judges can sign Search Warrants, under the provisions of MCA 46-5-220.

Except as otherwise provided for by law, Montana District Courts act as appellate courts for inferior courts, and must hear cases de novo (as if no evidence or testimony had been heard).{{sfn|Elison|Snyder|2001|page=3}}Montana Code Annotated, Title 3, Chapter 5, Part 3, §303. 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."{{cite court|litigants=McDunn v. Arnold|vol=303|reporter=P.3d|opinion=1279|court=Mont.|date=2013}} Appeals from City CourtsMontana Code Annotated, Title 3, Chapter 11, Part 1, §110. and Municipal CourtsMontana Code Annotated, Title 3, Chapter 6, Part 1, §110. which are defined as "courts of record" are the two exceptions, and such appeals are limited to a review of the record and questions of law.{{cite court|litigants=Siebken v. Voderberg|vol=291|reporter=P.3d|opinion=572|court=Mont.|date=2012}}

Drug courts are not actual courts, but rather a separate docket used by some inferior courts. The docket provides specialized attention to misdemeanors, child abuse and child neglect cases, and juvenile cases which involve individuals addicted to drugs or alcohol. Drug courts provide treatment as well as sanctions, with the goal of treating addiction, reducing recidivism, and improving rehabilitation. Drug courts rely heavily on drug and alcohol addiction treatment programs; frequent, mandatory drug testing; reduced sentencing and other incentives to encourage the individual to stay in treatment; and much more regular, much more frequent judicial oversight.{{cite report|author=Office of the Court Administrator|title=Montana Drug Courts: An Updated Snapshot of Success and Hope|location=Helena, Mont.|publisher=Montana Supreme Court|date=January 22, 2013|access-date=February 26, 2017|page=2|url=http://courts.mt.gov/portals/113/cao/ct_services/treatment/docs/2012_dc_report.pdf}}

• Courts of Montana

{{reflist|2}}

• {{cite book|last1=Elison|first1=Larry M.|last2=Snyder|first2=Fritz|title=The Montana State Constitution: A Reference Guide|location=Westport, Conn.|publisher=Greenwood Press|date=2001|isbn=9780313273469|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=xZSajCBQL1sC}}
• {{cite report|author=State Bar of Montana|title=The Montana Citizen's Guide to the Courts|location=Helena, Mont.|publisher=Montana Supreme Court|date=January 14, 2010|access-date=February 26, 2017|url=http://courts.mt.gov/portals/113/library/guides/guidetomtcourt.pdf}}

Category:Montana state courts

Category:1889 establishments in Montana

Category:Courts and tribunals established in 1889