Letter from the Chief Justice to Montana Courts of Limited Jurisdiction Judges (release of jail populations; remote hearings)

The record

Jurisdiction

Montana (statewide judiciary) · Montana

Level

Court

Authority

Supervisory authority of the Supreme Court over courts of limited jurisdiction (Mont. Const. art. VII, sec. 2)

Issued

2020-03-20 Mar. 20, 2020

Effective

2020-03-20

End

Superseded by the Mar. 27, 2020 Order (MT-056) (read as 2020-03-27)

In force

Mar. 20, 2020 to Mar. 27, 2020

Quarters

2020 Q2

2020 Q22020 Q32020 Q42021 Q12021 Q22021 Q3

Limitation types

Courts and public offices

Addressees

• courts of limited jurisdiction (justice, city and municipal courts)

Functions reached

• CT courts (remote hearings; jail releases)

Collection

Montana MT

Operative words

Because of the high risk of transmittal of COVID-19, not only to prisoners within correctional facilities but staff and defense attorneys as well, we ask that you review your jail rosters and release, without bond, as many prisoners as you are able, especially those being held for non-violent offenses.... We ask that you follow the provisions of the Memorandum sent out March 17. Conducting as many hearings as you can using video and other remote technology will curtail the risk of exposure and transmission of the virus.

Enforcement