Beth McLaughlin

Montana’s district court system needs about 12 more judges to keep up with caseload demands, according to data from an outside consultant. The branch will request three new judges in the next legislative session.

Attorney General Austin Knudsen’s disciplinary hearing for charges of professional misconduct concluded Thursday. A special counsel says Knudsen undermined the integrity of the judiciary through defiant language and rejection of a court order.

A special committee of Montana lawmakers investigating the state’s judicial branch focused on the retention of public records during a meeting Wednesday. Lawmakers say public records problems exist across the state government.

The case began as a dispute over power between Republican lawmakers and the state supreme court. Lawmakers accused the justices of misconduct and bias, and subpoenaed judicial records.

Court Administrator Beth McLaughlin says the judicial branch will likely forgo creating a new court to handle clearing criminal records of now legal actions.

The dispute over power between Republican legislative leaders and the Montana Supreme Court began last spring when lawmakers accused the justices of misconduct and bias, and subpoenaed judicial records.

The same bill that established the framework of legal, recreational cannabis sales in Montana also allows for the resentencing or expungement of marijuana-related crimes.

The Montana Supreme Court announced on Tuesday it will issue a final ruling on the Legislature’s subpoenas, rejecting GOP lawmakers' request to dismiss…

The Montana Supreme Court has denied an order asking all seven justices to recuse themselves from hearing a case regarding the state court administrator.…

Montana lawmakers plan to continue their investigation into alleged bias in the state’s judicial branch after the 2021 legislative session ends.Republican…