U.S. Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito’s leaked draft document on a case could potentially overturn Roe versus Wade and national protections for abortions. Former UM Law Professor and constitutional scholar Rob Natelson recently on Voices of Montana recounted a time in Montana when a leaked document from the Montana Supreme Court may have det...
Montana To Increase Public Access To Court Records
The Montana Supreme Court recently announced a plan to increase public access to the state’s district court records through an online public portal that would allow people access to some court records from their own computers rather than at a local courthouse. In a public meeting last week the Court Administrator for the Judicial Branch Beth M...
Supreme Court Updates Rules On Retaining & Disposing Records
Tuesday the Montana Supreme Court adopted a new records retention policy defining terms like “essential records” and who is in charge of certain documents. Clerk of Court Bowen Greenwood expressed concerns with what the proposal classified as “judicial deliberations” being inaccessible due to how much information it would include.
U.S. Supreme Court Declines Case Between Montana Govt. Branches
The U.S. Supreme Court denied the Montana Legislature’s bid Monday to reverse a ruling by the state Supreme Court in last year’s subpoena showdown between the two branches of state government. It marks the end of a legal conflict that began as lawmakers raised concerns about internal polling of judges on pending legislation. The na...
Governor Gianforte Accepting Applications For Judicial District Vacancy
Mike McGrath the Chief Justice of the Montana Supreme Court has notified Governor Greg Gianforte there is a vacancy in the Tenth Judicial District of Fergus, Judith Basin, and Petroleum Counties. Applications are now being accepted from and nominations of any lawyer in good standing who has the qualifications set forth by law for holding the p...
Supreme Court Rules Against Attorney General’s Halting Of Signature-Gathering
In an order issued Wednesday the state Supreme Court said Montana Attorney General Austin Knudsen made a mistake in halting a proposed ballot initiative that aims to add new environmental protections to stretches of the Gallatin and Madison rivers from going out for signature-gathering. Chief Justice Mike McGrath wrote the authority to determi...
Supreme Court Election Process May Change In 2022
A measure that could be on the 2022 ballot would change how Montana’s supreme court justices are elected. Under the measure justices would be elected from seven districts rather than statewide. Head of the Public Policy Institute of the Rockies Kimberly Dudik says supreme court justices should make decisions for the entire state and so it does...
Over 300 Candidates File For Election Before Deadline
The period for candidates to get their names on the ballot closed Monday afternoon at 5:00 for this year’s midterm elections. A total of 333 candidate filings were submitted to the Secretary of State’s Office before filing closed. Candidates for local offices filed at their county elections offices. Among the final candidates to file was Pu...
PSC Chairman Announces Run For State Supreme Court
Today is the last day to file as a candidate for the 2022 election and Public Service Commission Chairman James Brown announced today his run for Montana Supreme Court Justice Number 2 on the Northern News Network’s Voices of Montana. He said then his upbringing in Dillon make him uniquely qualified for the seat.
District Judge Vacancies In Two Counties Seeking Applications
The chief justice of the Montana Supreme Court has notified Governor Greg Gianforte there is a vacancy in the Twentieth Judicial District which incudes Lake County and Sanders County. He is now accepting applications from and nominations of any lawyer in good standing who has the qualifications set forth by law for holding the position of dist...