Plain Error, Prosecutorial “Belief” Language, and Ineffective Assistance: Commentary on State v. Lowry (Mont. 2025) 1. Introduction This commentary examines the Montana Supreme Court’s memorandum...
Mere Presence Is Not Corroboration: State v. Matt and Montana’s Strict Accomplice-Testimony Rule I. Introduction In State v. Matt, 2025 MT 264, the Montana Supreme Court reversed a drug-possession...
Zimmermann v. Wardle (Mont. 2025): The Consequences of Failing to Provide a Certified Transcript in Protection-Order Appeals I. Introduction Zimmermann v. Wardle, 2025 MT 266N (DA 25-0083), is a...
No Final Disclosures, No Set-Aside: Montana Supreme Court Clarifies § 40-4-253(5), MCA Requires Perjury in a Final Declaration and Sanctions Vexatious Appeals Introduction In In re the Marriage of...
When Courts Permit Video Appearance, They Must Clarify Limits Upfront: Mid‑Trial Denial of Defendant’s Video Testimony Is Abuse of Discretion; Accountability Proven Across Closely‑Linked Transactions...
Estate of Damjanovich: Holographic Will Valid Only to Appoint Personal Representative; No Power of Appointment Without Transfer and Identifiable Appointees under § 72‑7‑201, MCA Introduction In...
Mandatory Cross-Examination at Montana Protection-Order Hearings and Appellate Remand on Inadequate Records: Commentary on Hennon v. Weber, 2025 MT 260 Introduction In Hennon v. Weber, 2025 MT 260,...
Nonprecedential Affirmance: Applying Law-of-the-Case and Best-Interests Standards to Modify a Third-Party Parenting Plan in Montana Introduction In Parenting of L.M.A.R. & N.R.R. (DA 25-0305), the...
Deferred Prosecution Agreements Cannot Be Incorporated into Plea Agreements under Montana Law Commentary on State v. Pein, 2025 MT 258 (Mont. Nov. 12, 2025) Introduction In State v. Pein, the Supreme...
Pierce: Montana Supreme Court Reaffirms Conduct‑Based “Knowingly” for SIWOC and Clarifies Limits on Alcohol-Use Evidence Introduction In State v. D. Pierce, 2025 MT 257 (Supreme Court of Montana,...
State v. Prado: Harmless-Error Review for Redacted Jail-Call Context Statements and Strict Limits on Plain-Error Claims of “Credibility-Boosting” Background Testimony Introduction In State v. Prado,...
Right to Peremptory Substitution of District Judge in De Novo Appeals from Non-Record Justice Courts Commentary on French v. Twentieth Judicial District Court, 2025 MT 254 (OP 25-0642) Introduction...
Comparative Negligence in Jail-Custody Cases: Estate of Mabee v. Wheatland County Confirms “Special Circumstances” as the Exception Introduction In Estate of Mabee v. Wheatland County, 2025 MT 252,...
“Illusion of Choice” and Strict Compliance in Montana Civil Commitments: No Waiver of the Five‑Day Hearing or Qualified Evaluation Requirements Absent Knowing, Voluntary Consent Introduction In...
Broad Titles, Liberal Construction: “Vaccination Status” Encompasses EUA/Trial‑Vaccine Mandate Bans Under Montana’s Article V, § 11(3) Introduction In Netzer, Krautter & Brown, P.C. and Donald L....
Experts Are Not Automatically Exempt from Sequestration; Presumption of Vindictiveness Bars Increased Sentences Based on Appeal or Lack of Remorse — Commentary on State v. Grimshaw, 2025 MT 250 Case:...
Resentencing Required When a District Court Exceeds the Statutory Maximum—Even with a Fully Suspended Term (State v. S. Foster, 2025 MT 255N) Court: Supreme Court of Montana Date: November 4, 2025...
State v. Ellis: Open-Driveway Encounters—No Search When Evidence Is Voluntarily Produced, and Miranda Not Required During Noncustodial Driveway Questioning Introduction In State v. Z. Ellis, 2025 MT...
Enforcing Civility and Fitness: The ODC’s Amended Disciplinary Complaint Against Mark E. Anderson Under MRPC 3.1, 3.5, and 8.4 Important procedural note: Although the source is labeled as an...
Initial Arraignment Is the Sole Trigger for Automatic Judicial Substitution in Montana Criminal Cases Introduction In Caye v. Twentieth Judicial District Court (2025 MT 246), the Supreme Court of...