Harassment and Stalking Laws in Montana

Stalking is purposely or knowingly engaging in a course of conduct aimed at a specific person (following, monitoring, harassing or communicating by any means, including electronic, digital or GPS devices) that would cause a reasonable person to fear for their own safety or the safety of a third person, or suffer other substantial emotional distress. A first offense carries up to 1 year in county jail, a fine up to $1,000, or both. It becomes a felony, punishable by up to 5 years in state prison, a fine up to $10,000, or both, for a second offense within 20 years, or on a first offense if the stalker violated a protection order, used or threatened force or a weapon, or the victim is a minor at least 5 years younger than the offender. Separately, using electronic communication to threaten, terrify or harass someone, or repeatedly disturbing them, is violating privacy in communications: up to 6 months and $500 for a first conviction, up to 1 year and $1,000 for a second, and a felony with up to 5 years and $10,000 for a third or later conviction.

Montana's rule on court-appointed lawyers: The Office of State Public Defender assigns counsel to eligible applicants; eligibility determinations are subject to the review and approval of the court. An applicant is indigent if 'the applicant's gross household income is at or less than 133% of the poverty level' (federal poverty guidelines) or if disposable income and assets are 'insufficient to retain competent private counsel without substantial hardship to the applicant.' The applicant must provide a detailed financial statement and sign an affidavit on a prescribed form; false statements may be prosecuted. The section does not set an application fee. MCA § 47-1-111

Lawyers set their own fees, and Montana has rules on how they may charge. See hiring a criminal defense lawyer in Montana for fee rules, how to check a lawyer's license and free help.

How release before trial works in Montana: Before a verdict, the court must either authorize release 'upon reasonable conditions that ensure the appearance of the defendant' and protect the safety of the community or any person, or detain the defendant when there is probable cause to believe the defendant committed an offense for which death is a possible punishment and adequate safeguards are unavailable (§ 46-9-106). The amount of bail must be sufficient to ensure the defendant's presence and compliance with bail conditions and to protect any person from bodily injury; 'not oppressive'; commensurate with the nature of the offense; and considerate of the financial ability of the accused, prior record, history of abscondence, length of residence and community ties, family ties, mental health status and treatment, and employment status (§ 46-9-301). MCA §§ 46-9-106, 46-9-301 What happens after an arrest.

Each state sets its own rules for sealing or expunging records. See Montana expungement and record sealing rules.