Montana Supreme Court

Seal of the Supreme Court of Montana

MK01780 Montana State Capitol Old Supreme Court

Seal of the Montana Supreme Court.png

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The Montana Supreme Court is the highest court in the U.S. state of Montana. It was established in 1864 and is located in Helena, Montana. The court consists of seven justices, including one Chief Justice and six Associate Justices. The justices are elected through non-partisan elections and serve eight-year terms.

Jurisdiction

The Montana Supreme Court has appellate jurisdiction over all cases decided in the state’s lower courts. It also has original jurisdiction in certain cases, such as those involving writs of habeas corpus, mandamus, and prohibition. The court has the authority to interpret the Montana Constitution and to review the constitutionality of state laws.

Composition

The court is composed of seven justices:

• Chief Justice
• Six Associate Justices

The justices are elected by the voters of Montana in non-partisan elections. If a vacancy occurs, the Governor of Montana appoints a replacement who must then stand for election in the next general election.

History

The Montana Supreme Court was established in 1864 when Montana was still a territory. The court's role and structure have evolved over time, particularly after Montana achieved statehood in 1889. The court has played a significant role in interpreting the state constitution and shaping Montana law.

Notable Cases

The Montana Supreme Court has presided over several landmark cases that have had significant impacts on state and national law. Some of these cases include:

• State v. Finley – A case that addressed the issue of the death penalty in Montana.
• Baker v. State – A case that dealt with the rights of same-sex couples in Montana.

Related Pages

• Montana Constitution
• Governor of Montana
• Helena, Montana
• Non-partisan election
• United States Supreme Court

See Also

• List of state supreme courts in the United States
• Judiciary of Montana
• Montana District Courts

External Links

• [Official website of the Montana Supreme Court]