News
-
Legislative committee supports yet another version of partisan judicial elections
House Bill 838 would apply only to the Supreme Court, and create a blanket primary process with two candidates moving to general election Bruce Spencer, a lobbyist representing the State…
-
Citizen grand jury bill fails on House floor
Bill would have allowed public to petition for a citizen-led grand jury, which would have been its own judge. Citizen grand juries aren’t coming to Montana, at least for now.…
-
Bill to protect constitutional officers who are lawyers from discipline sparks debate
A quick back-and-forth between Sen. Barry Usher and Rep. Tom France addressed the elephant in the room with a bill that would prohibit disciplinary proceedings against constitutional officers who are…
-
The Most Expensive Judicial Election Ever
The race for a seat on the Wisconsin Supreme Court shows the need for reforms to protect judicial independence. Update 4/2/25: Liberal candidate Susan Crawford defeated conservative Brad Schimel. An…
-
‘Buckle Up’: In Montana, Republican Lawmakers Target the Judiciary
Republicans in Montana and other states complain that liberal judges are tossing out the laws they pass. Now, conservative legislators are trying to change the rules, and the judges. Even…
-
Roberts rejects Trump’s call for impeaching judge who ruled against his deportation plans
WASHINGTON (AP) — In an extraordinary display of conflict between the executive and judiciary branches, Chief Justice John Roberts rejected calls for impeaching judges Tuesday, shortly after President Donald Trump demanded the removal of…
-
As 2025 Montana Legislature hits halfway point, party leaders point to priorities
Judiciary, property taxes take center stage in leadership’s first-half review. As the 2025 Montana Legislature hit its midway point, leaders from both parties spoke on their achievements from the first…
-
Claims court endorsed by Montana Senate
The three-judge court, appointed by the governor, would take on constitutional claims and asbestos suits to streamline district court dockets; detractors say it’s another attempt to wrest control over the…
-
House and Senate make opposite decisions on partisan judiciary bills
SB 42, requiring judges to declare a party, advanced on party lines while HB 295, giving judicial candidates the option to list party affiliation, failed in the House Leaders in…
-
New state Supreme Court chief justice tells Legislature to not make judicial elections partisan
Cory Swanson spoke to a joint session of the state House and Senate on a day that also featured speeches from Montana’s federal delegation and a tribal nation chairman. Newly…