In 2021, Montana joined a growing list of U.S. states that have legalized marijuana for both recreational and medical use. Although the state continues to ban the possession and consumption of the substance in public, people are free to consume and even cultivate...
Criminal Law
Police officers need a reason to stop a vehicle
When someone gets pulled over, it can’t just be a random stop. Even if it turns out that the driver is under the influence of alcohol, for example, the police still need to have a reason to initially pull a car over for a stop to be lawful. They cannot just stop...
Understanding your rights to defend yourself
Every person has a fundamental, constitutional and civil right to defend themselves, but the extent to which we can exercise those rights is often a topic of concern. Different rules and regulations exist in each state that define the legality of self-defense. We all...
What rights do I have when police pull me over?
Encountering law enforcement can be terrifying. Law enforcement officers play a critical role in our society by preventing crime and apprehending wrongdoers. However, they might pull over a few innocent civilians in the process. If police officers stop you, know that...
What offenses can cause license revocation in Montana?
Montana imposes hefty penalties for traffic violations and DUI offenses, including license revocation. It is a sanction enforced by the state's Motor Vehicle Division (MVD), possibly removing driving privileges for years. Most of the time, this penalty has a specific...
Drunk and carrying a concealed weapon? It’s illegal
Residents of Montana don’t need a permit to carry a concealed weapon in public, but there are certain corner cases when having a concealed weapon could get you into trouble with the law. Let’s say you’re driving one night after drinking with friends. You have a...
Can I be charged with murder if I acted out of self-defense?
When faced with a life-threatening situation, our instinct for self-preservation often takes over. Would you rather think about the consequences of your actions if you are about to die? Probably not. However, there are times when your attempt to defend yourself may...
Why people get arrested for DUI without being over the limit
In Montana, impaired driving charges are among the most common reasons for the state to prosecute individuals. Most people understand that there is a legal limit to how much alcohol they can have in their bloodstream. If police officers pull someone over while they...
Ignition interlock devices as penalties for DUIs
Fines and jail time are some of the penalties awaiting drivers charged with driving under the influence (DUI) in Montana. But a court can also order a convicted driver to have an ignition interlock device (IID) installed on their vehicle. An IID is a device that locks...
What happens to your license when you’re charged with DUI?
It can be intimidating to face a driving under the influence (DUI) charge in Montana. If a court convicts you for the violation, you potentially face heavy fines and jail time. And depending on specific aggravating factors, those penalties become more severe. But what...