Cascade County District Court, Montana Chambers Communication Rules

CRITICAL

Absent specific authorization, pro se parties should not communicate with the judge about their case unless the other party is present or has advance notice; they must instead request a hearing with notice or file a written statement and provide the other party a copy.

Absent specific authorization to the contrary, pro se parties should not try to speak with or write to the judge about his or her case unless the other party is present or has been properly notified in advance. If the pro se party has something to tell the judge, he/she must ask for a hearing and give notice to the other party or file a written statement in the court file and provide a copy of it to the other party.

CRITICAL

Parties must advise the Court of related cases at scheduling, status conferences, and omnibus hearings.

The parties shall advise the Court at scheduling, status conferences, and omnibus hearings if there are related cases.

CRITICAL

Parties must submit a written request to the Clerk by noon on the preceding Tuesday to place a matter on the uncontested calendar.

Parties shall make a written request to the Clerk to place specific matters on the uncontested calendar not later than noon on the Tuesday immediately preceding the Wednesday for which a hearing is sought.

CRITICAL

If a contested matter set for hearing or trial is resolved, the parties must immediately notify the judge’s judicial assistant so the allotted time can be used for other matters.

In the event any contested matter set for hearing or trial is resolved, the parties shall immediately notify the judge's judicial assistant so that other matters may be scheduled in the time previously allotted for that case.

CRITICAL

Thereafter, counsel shall consult with the judicial assistant for the assigned judge to confirm or reset the hearing date.

Thereafter, counsel shall consult with the judicial assistant for the assigned judge to confirm or reset the hearing date.

CRITICAL

Counsel must contact the outside judge’s staff to determine whether electronic or mailed copies are preferred.

Counsel shall contact the staff of the outside judge to determine whether electronic or mailed copies are preferred.

WARNING

The press may not interview witnesses or court personnel during trial, whether in or out of court.

The press may not interview witnesses, or court personnel, during the trial in or out of Court.

WARNING

The Notice of Issue is the only notice to the Court that a motion is pending.

The Notice of Issue is the only notice to the Court that a motion is pending.

WARNING

Press representatives must communicate with the presiding judge before the trial or hearing day about the number and placement of cameras and microphones.

Press representatives shall communicate with the presiding judge in advance of the day of trial or hearing about numbers and placements of cameras and microphones.

INFO

The filing party is encouraged to ask the judge’s staff whether courtesy copies are preferred electronically or in hard copy.

The filing party is encouraged to contact the judge’s staff to learn whether the judge prefers courtesy copies in an electronic form or by hard copy.

INFO

Lawyers are encouraged to contact court staff for information about an individual judge’s preferences.

Lawyers are encouraged to contact court staff for further information on individual judge’s preferences.