Montana Supreme Court

Montana has seven justices serving on its Supreme Court, but freshman legislator Rep. Lukas Schubert, R-Kalispell, believes that is too large of a judicial bench for a small state.

Newly-elected Cory Swanson told a joint session of the Legislature to avoid going too far in their judicial reform efforts and encroaching on the co-equal branch of government.

The Montana House and Senate voted Thursday on seven Republican-sponsored bills that would make changes to the state’s judicial branch and legal system.

Republican bills would change how Montana’s courts operate, after lawmakers accused judges of overstepping their authority.

Jim Elliott writes, "The Republican party in Montana is hoping to enact laws that can help elect courts that are more in tune with Republican thinking."

Attorneys for the state’s top lawyer say he was denied free speech, due process and at a minimum, case should be sent back

James Nelson writes "The Court’s opinion strikes the public’s Right to Know with a grievous and totally needless wound. Sadly, Justice McKinnon was one only vote short of the right opinion."

The ballot initiative to ban single-use plastics in Bozeman approved last month by voters was dealt a blow this week when the Montana Supreme Court reversed a lower court’s decision.

Now that the state’s appeal of the preliminary injunction, which has been in place since September 2023, has been resolved, the full case will continue to trial in Missoula County District Court to determine whether Senate Bill 99 is unconstitutional.

Jim Hunt writes, "Our constitution puts every Montanans’ freedoms to privacy, dignity, a clean and healthful environment, and education first. This protects our way of life from special interests who want to control our great state."