Montana State Supreme Court Justice
A judge that serves on the highest court in the State
Full office description
- The Montana Supreme Court is very similar to the US Supreme Court. The Montana Supreme Court consists of seven judges and serves as the highest court in the state. This court is the final authority on interpreting the Montana Constitution.
- Supreme Court Justices handle appeals, which are reviews of lower court decisions that someone believes were incorrect or unfair. These cases can range from civil disputes to criminal convictions.
- Unlike lower courts, the Montana Supreme Court does not conduct trials with witnesses and juries. Instead, they focus on legal arguments and the application of law based on written briefs, and sometimes through structured oral arguments if further discussion is needed.
- The Justices work collaboratively, deciding cases as a group by majority vote and then issuing a written opinion to explain their decision. This collaborative process ensures a balanced and thoroughly considered judgment.
- Supreme Court Justices are elected to eight year terms. Elections are nonpartisan and statewide.
How this impacts you
Criminal Justice — When you watch a documentary or see a twitter campaign for someone on death row who may have been wrongfully convicted, the Montana Supreme Court would be this person’s last resort in Montana to have their conviction overturned.
Voting Access — The Supreme Court often hears cases relating to voting laws and regulations. An example is the recent 2021 rulings, in which the Supreme Court overturned a new law that would have ended same-day voter registration.
Election results
WINNER
Katherine Bidegaray
48.7%
126,036 votes
Dan Wilson
34.5%
89,314 votes
Jerry O'Neil
16.8%
43,483 votes