If you need help understanding a legal issue in Montana, Go To Court provides free general legal information 24/7. Jen is an AI assistant, not a lawyer, and the information is not personal legal advice. You may separately request a one-hour consultation with an appropriately licensed Montana attorney for a fixed $195 fee, subject to availability, conflicts checks, and the attorney accepting the matter. Any advice, representation, or other work beyond that consultation requires a separate agreement with the attorney. Call 1-844-482-0277 to get information or request a consultation. Go To Court is building its US attorney network, so an attorney may not be available in every location or for every matter.
Practice Areas in Montana
Counties in Montana
Browse 56 county legal-information pages
The Court System in Montana
Montana operates a unified court system under the Montana Supreme Court, which provides consistent administration across the state. At the trial level, the District Courts serve as the primary courts of general jurisdiction, handling serious criminal cases, civil matters over $12,000, family law cases, and appeals from lower courts. Each of Montanas 22 judicial districts has at least one District Court. Below the District Courts are the Justice Courts and Municipal Courts, which handle misdemeanor crimes, traffic violations, small claims up to $7,000, and preliminary hearings for felony cases. Justice Courts operate in smaller communities while Municipal Courts serve incorporated cities and towns. What makes Montana distinctive is its commitment to local justice - even in remote areas, residents have access to courts within reasonable distance. The Montana Court of Appeals serves as an intermediate appellate court, reviewing most appeals from District Courts to reduce the caseload of the Montana Supreme Court. The Montana Supreme Court sits at the top, handling appeals of the most significant cases, constitutional questions, and administrative oversight of the entire court system. Montana also maintains specialized programs like Drug Courts and Mental Health Courts that focus on treatment rather than punishment for appropriate cases. For official information about Montana courts, procedures, and locations, visit the Montana Judicial Branch website at https://courts.mt.gov.
Major Courts in Montana
The First Judicial District Court in Helena handles cases for Lewis and Clark County, including many state government-related legal matters due to its location in the capital city. This court sees significant criminal, civil, and family law cases. The Thirteenth Judicial District Court in Billings serves Yellowstone County, the most populous area in Montana, handling high volumes of all case types from serious felonies to complex civil litigation and family disputes. The Fourth Judicial District Court in Missoula covers Missoula County and serves the western Montana region, dealing with diverse caseloads including university-related legal issues. The Eighth Judicial District Court in Great Falls handles Cascade County matters and serves as a major court for north-central Montana. The Eighteenth Judicial District Court in Bozeman covers Gallatin County, one of the fastest-growing areas in Montana, seeing increasing caseloads in all areas of law. Municipal courts in major cities also play important roles - Billings Municipal Court, Missoula Municipal Court, and Great Falls Municipal Court handle thousands of traffic violations, municipal ordinance violations, and misdemeanor cases annually. These courts often serve as the first point of contact citizens have with the Montana legal system, making them crucial for maintaining public safety and order in urban areas throughout the state.
Free — available now
Have a legal question about Montana?
Call our free hotline right now — available 24/7, no obligation.