A bill to abolish the death penalty in Montana failed by a singe vote on Monday. The Montana House of Representatives deadlocked, voting 50 in favor and 50 opposed. It appears this will be the final vote on this issue for the 2015 legislature although a similar bill...
Legislative Effort Renewed to End the Death Penalty in Montana
Montana Representative Doc Moore has sponsored legislation this legislative term to abolish the death penalty. Currently, 32 states, including Montana, allow for the death penalty in homicide cases when they meet certain requirements. A movement is growing within the...
State District Court Judge Dirk Sandefur will run for Montana Supreme Court Justice Patricia O. Cotter’s seat on the Supreme Court
Montana District Court Judge Dirk Sandefur, of Great Falls, Montana, intends to run for Justice Patricia O. Cotter’s seat on the Montana Supreme Court. According to the Great Falls Tribune, Justice Cotter is currently serving her second term and will not run for a...
Plan in Place to Deputize Fish & Game Wardens for DUI Investigations in Gallatin County
According to the Bozeman Chronicle, an agreement has been reached for the Gallatin County Sheriff’s to deputize Fish and Game Wardens to handle DUI cases. Such agreements have been in place in Madison and Lewis and Clark counties. If approved by the Gallatin County...
Five Bozeman Residents Sue to Overturn Ordinance Protecting Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Persons from Discrimination
Last July, the Bozeman City Commission voted unanimously to pass a non-discrimination ordinance protecting gay, bisexual and transgender people from being discriminated in the workplace, housing and public accommodations. Now, five Bozeman residents have filed suit...
Demonstrators Interupt U.S. Supreme Court Proceedings on Five Year Anniversary of Citizens United Case
According to Reuters, demonstrators interrupted the U.S. Supreme Court’s proceedings today, the five-year anniversary of the Supreme Court’s 2010 Citizens United case, denouncing the ruling. The 2010 decision held that corporations and unions are entitled to engage in...
U.S. Supreme Court to Decide Whether State Bans on Same-Sex Marriage are Unconstitutional
The U.S. Supreme Court has granted certiorari in the same-sex marriage cases arising from the states of Ohio, Tennessee, Michigan and Kentucky. Within legal circles, the Supreme Court’s decision was expected. Last November, Montana Federal District Court Judge Brian...
University of Montana School of Law Graduate Judge Charles “Chip” Erdmann Will Become the Chief Judge of the United States Court of Appeals for the Armed Forces in Washington D.C.
Judge Charles “Chip” Erdmann, a University of Montana School of Law graduate, will become the Chief Judge of the United States Court of Appeals for the Armed Forces in Washington D.C. on August 1, 2015. Judge Erdmann was appointed to the Court by President George W....
University of Montana Law School Graduate Judge Sidney Thomas Now Chief Judge of the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals
Judge Sidney Thomas recently became the Chief Judge of the influential Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals. The Ninth Circuit includes Alaska, Arizona, California, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, Oregon, Washington, Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands. As posted earlier...
Article on Montana Supreme Court candidates Judge Nels Swandal and Beth Baker Campaign Contributions
Judge Nels Swandal raised $45,500 and Beth Baker raised $53,000 so far in their bids for the Montana Supreme Court. You can read the Helena Independent Record article here.
