The Carter County Justice Court will be happy to help you if we can, however, we are only allowed, by law, to help in specific ways.
WE MAY: 
  • Explain and answer questions about how courts work.                                                                                         
  • Tell you what is required according to procedure in your case.
  • Give you information from your file.
  • Give you copies of Court Forms that are available.
  • Usually give you information about Court deadlines.
WE MAY NOT:
  • Give you any legal advice. Only an attorney may give legal advice.
  • Tell you whether or not you should bring your case to court.
  • Discuss or speculate about what decision the judge might make
  • Recommend an attorney.
  • Talk to the Judge for you about your case.
  • Let you talk to the Judge outside of the Courtroom, this can only occur during Open Court after a Motion is filed.
  • Change an order issued by the Judge.
  • Explain Orders of The Court.
  • Tell you or suggest to you what words to use in court papers
  • Change an order signed by the judge or reschedule or continue a court date
  • Fill in any forms for you
  • Conduct any legal research on your behalf
There are places/websites you may go to for legal assistance with your case.
Montana Legal Services Association MLSA, and the Montana Supreme Court Help Program may be able to assist you with your questions.

 

Legal Forms & Resources

Zoom Documents.
Please fill out the documents with blue ink and mail them back to the Court. 
Please note: You will also have to include a copy of your photo ID for identity verification, and the Appearance Bond from your citation payable to the "Carter County Justice Court" with your zoom documents. Personal checks, Money Orders, Cashier's Checks, or Certified Checks are acceptable forms of payment.

Orders Of Protection

If you are in an abusive relationship, you CAN get help. It is your right to not live in fear. There are many resources available to assist you.
A victim advocate in your community may be available to assist you with seeking a protection order, safety planning, and other issues.  
Find an advocate to help you in your area by:
Calling the Custer Network Against Domestic Abuse and Sexual Assault (CNADA)
24 hour Hotline # : 406-951-0475 Office: 406-234-0542; https://cnada.org/.
Calling the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233; or
Check the Montana Coalition Against Domestic & Sexual Violence at Montana Victim Services by Region.
Guides How to Obtain an Order of Protection, from the Montana Department of Justice, Office of Victim Services.
Below are the forms to help you file for an Order of Protection in Justice Court.
Sworn Petition for a Temporary Order of Protection.
Motion for changing the Protection Order.
Hope Card Request Form.

Civil Court
A civil lawsuit is used to settle everyday financial and personal property (not real property) disputes without legal hurdles. It is a legal process to be used to recover money, resolve contract issues, etc. on a value of not more than $15,000, after you have tried to resolve the issue directly and have not been successful.
Laws for Civil Procedure in Montana: Title 25 of the Montana Code Annotated can help you find the laws regarding your situation.

Forms:
Difference Between Civil Vs. Small Claims cases.
Complaint and Summons.
Answer / Counterclaim.
Judgment.
Writ of Execution.
Satisfaction of Judgment.

Small Claims
Small Claims may only settle claims that are for a total monetary value of not more than $7,000.00.
A Small Claim MUST be initiated by a Demand Letter.
A demand letter is simply a formal letter stating who the parties are, what the agreement between you was, what the issue/harm is and what your demands for relief from them are, a deadline that they must be compliant by, and what the consequences (i.e. filing complaint in Court) will be should they choose to not reconcile the situation.
The Court will require proof of mailing, and as such, it is a good idea to send the demand letter certified.
 
Forms:
Difference between Civil Vs. Small Claims.
Instructions.
Guide.
Checklist.
Complaint packet.
Counterclaim.
Landlord Tenant
Simply put a Landlord/Tenant or Tenant/Landlord case is a legal dispute between the property owner and a lessor, regardless of which party files suit, concerning evictions, unpaid rent, lease agreement violations etc...
They are usually handled in a Justice Court, however, when there is a question of who is the legal owner of the real property, the case must be taken to the District Court as a matter of law.

Forms and information guides for filing a landlord tenant case can be found at the following link: Landlord Tenant.
Title 70 of the Montana Code Annotated may be able to help you find the laws associated with your situation.
Cite Pay is the website that works in conjunction with the Court for you to pay your citation(s) balance online for your convience.
Please know:
  • It will NOT work for a mandatory appearance citation.
  • It will NOT work for paying an appearance bond as it will automaticly take it as a fine and close the case.
Please find below the link for the website. You will need to click on the link, then you will need to select the state of "Montana", then select the "Carter County Justice Court" as the organization, then select the "pay balance(s)" button and follow prompts from there. Your "Citation Number" is on the top righthand corner of your citation; to use the option for your "Case Number", please call the Court and ask the clerk for the number. Our office number is: 406-775-8754.
Cite Pay.
Should you need them, please fill out these forms with blue ink and send them back to the Court.
Blank Motion.
Information Sheet.
Please find below the rules of conduct for the Carter County Justice Court Courtroom.
Justice Court Rules.