Implied Findings Sustain Parenting-Plan Modification and Narrowly Tailored Limits on Harmful Spiritual “Influence” Nonprecedential posture: The Court issued a memorandum opinion under its Internal...
§ 41-5-208 Transfer Hearings Are Limited to Transfer—No New Disposition Without a § 41-5-1431 Revocation Petition 1. Introduction Matter of: W.D. (2026 MT 177) required the Montana Supreme Court to...
Unsupervised Jury Replay of Testimonial Dash-Cam Video During Deliberations Requires Reversal Absent Van Kirk Harmlessness Case: State v. Lewis, 2026 MT 179N (Mont. Aug. 4, 2026) Court: Supreme Court...
State v. Richards: Prosecutor May Recommend PSI Financial Obligations Without Breaching a Sentence-Recommendation Plea; Unrebutted Victim Affidavit Supports Restitution for Court-Attendance Expenses...
Affirmance for Insufficient Appellate Record in Montana Dissolution Appeals (Marriage of Hutnick) Nonprecedential posture: The Court issued a memorandum opinion under its Internal Operating Rules and...
Nonservice of Protection-Order Hearing Notice and On-the-Record Omissions as Potential MRPC 3.4 and 8.4 Misconduct (Matter of Hilary J. Oitzinger) 1. Introduction The provided text is not a merits...
State v. Martinez: “Damage” Under Montana Criminal Mischief (§ 45-6-101(1)(a), MCA) Requires Proof of Damage Producing Pecuniary Loss; Ability-to-Pay Requires a Serious, Evidence-Based Inquiry 1....
Montana Uniform District Court Rules: Statewide Uniform Procedure, Mandatory Motion Conferencing, and New Simplified/Informal Trial Frameworks Introduction On July 28, 2026 (Case No. AF 07-0110), the...
Settled-Party Comparative-Fault Defense Is Not a “Malpractice Claim” Triggering § 26-2-601 Expert-Qualification Limits Introduction Stricker v. Blaine County (Mont. 2026 MT 170N) is the fourth...
Res Judicata Bars Untimely Collateral Restitution Challenges; § 46-18-246, MCA Permits Prospective Reduction to Zero Upon Proven Inability to Pay Introduction In State v. J. Rodriguez (Mont. Sup. Ct....
State v. Thomas (2026 MT 171N): Vague Continuance Requests and Non-Substantial Counsel Complaints Do Not Compel Delay or Substitute Counsel—Especially Where Defendant Insists on Speedy Trial...
Montana’s 2027 Lawyer Disciplinary Enforcement Framework: Comprehensive Regulation, Separated Functions, and Mandatory Interim Administrator Planning Court: Supreme Court of Montana Case Title: RULES...
State v. Morrissey Jr.: “Evidence as a Whole” Supports Denial of Directed Verdict Where Victim’s “Same Spot” Testimony Permits Inferences of Sexual Contact and Knowing Mental State 1. Introduction In...
Orders of Protection Must Defer to Existing Parenting Plans While Permitting Only Logistics-Limited Contact 1. Introduction Gemar v. Gemar (Mont. 2026 MT 173N) concerns whether a district court...
Platted Express Easements Cannot Be “Supplanted” by a Non‑Signatory Easement Agreement; Obstruction Remedies Must Be Precisely Tied to Proven Encroachments Introduction Vicevich v. Kultgen (2026 MT...
State v. Veltkamp (2026 MT 169): SANE Reports Are Not “Medical Diagnosis” Hearsay; Jury-Room Access Is Error but May Be Harmless When Cumulative 1. Introduction In State v. Veltkamp, the Montana...
State Tortfeasor Cannot Use Interpleader to Impose the Tort Claims Act Cap; Constitutional Challenges to § 2-9-108, MCA, Are Unripe Absent a Filed Tort Action and Excess Damages Determination 1....
Montana Lawyer Discipline: Felony Drug Convictions Trigger Rule 8.4 Charges, While Interim Suspension Requires a Separate Rule 23(B) Showing 1. Introduction Matter of Kenneth B. Cotter arises from...
Utility-Owned Streetlight Evidence Is Admissible in Municipal Premises-Liability Claims; Public Duty Doctrine Does Not Categorically Bar Lighting-Based Unsafe-Intersection Theories I. Introduction In...
Matter of Douglas Marshall: Text Messages Do Not Satisfy Montana’s “Signed Writing” Requirement for Contingent-Fee Agreements Without Client Adoption 1. Introduction Matter of Douglas Marshall is a...