Montana Court Types

District Courts have general jurisdiction over all civil and criminal cases, but generally only handle cases that are beyond the jurisdiction of other courts.

Criminal cases heard by District Courts include felony criminal cases and most misdemeanor criminal cases.

Civil cases heard by District Courts include general civil claims, probate matters and naturalization cases. District Courts have exclusive jurisdiction over civil claims for money damages against the State.

Each District Court has a Small Claims Court division that handles most general civil claims with disputes up to $3,000, exclusive of costs.

Justice Courts have limited jurisdiction over certain types of civil and criminal cases.

Criminal cases heard by Justice Courts include felony preliminary proceedings, most misdemeanors. Justice Courts share jurisdiction with District Courts for certain types of misdemeanors.

Civil cases heard by Justice Courts include most general civil claims with disputes over less than $7000, exclusive of costs. Justice Courts can not hear certain types of cases, including disputes over title to real estate and certain claims against the State.

Each Justice Court has a Small Claims Court division that handles most general civil claims with disputes for less than $3000, exclusive of costs.

City Courts have limited jurisdiction over certain types of criminal and civil cases.

Criminal cases heard by City Courts are limited to criminal violations of city or town ordinances. City Courts have exclusive jurisdiction over these cases.

Civil cases heard by City Courts include civil municipal ordinance violations, certain tax collection cases and certain cases brought against a city or town.

City Courts share some jurisdiction with other courts over certain types of cases.

Municipal Courts have limited jurisdiction over certain types of civil and criminal cases.

Criminal cases heard by Municipal Courts are limited to criminal violations of city or town ordinances. Municipal Courts have exclusive jurisdiction over these cases.

Civil cases heard by Municipal Courts include civil municipal ordinance violations, certain tax collection cases and certain cases brought against the city or town.

Municipal Courts share some jurisdiction with other courts over certain types of cases.

The Montana Water Court has exclusive jurisdiction over cases involving water rights claims.

Cases typically handled by the Water Court include claims based in state law, as well as claims based on Indian and Federal water rights.

The Montana Water Court handles cases from around the state out of one office location.

The Workers' Compensation Court has exclusive jurisdiction over cases arising under the Montana Workers' Compensation Act and the Montana Occupational Disease Act.

The Workers' Compensation Court has exclusive jurisdiction over certain contractor exemptions and reemployment preferences. This court also reviews final orders from the Montana Department of Labor and Industry and imposes civil penalties for violations of certain workers' compensation laws.

Specialty divisions may exist in any trial court that handles criminal or juvenile cases. Specialty divisions include Adult Drug Court, Family Drug Treatment Court, and Youth Drug Court.