Montana Court Records

This Montana Courts Website is designed to help readers understand Montana's judicial structure and assist them in locating public documents. Montana's judicial branch is organized into a three-tier hierarchy. Local Courts of Limited Jurisdiction, including Justice, City, and Municipal Courts, handle misdemeanors and small civil disputes. The 56 District Courts serve as trial courts for felonies, probate, and major civil matters. Because Montana lacks an intermediate appellate court, the Supreme Court reviews all direct appeals as the state's final authority. Specialty courts also manage specific cases, such as the Water Court and Workers' Compensation Court.

The Montana Constitution and the Judicial Branch guarantee the public's right to examine court documents. While most records remain accessible, judges seal certain files to protect individual privacy or due process, and certain statutes limit public access. Individuals can search many records through the District Court Public Access Portal or by contacting a local Clerk of Court.

While this Montana Court Records website may serve as a resource for anyone seeking to better understand how the state’s judicial system is organized, it does not provide legal advice or certified records.