A sheriff's deputy, a Billings detective, or a felony Information just landed in your life — and the clock is already running. In Montana your bond is usually set within 24 hours, your first appearance comes fast, and what you say before then can follow you for years. You don't have to guess. Call 1-844-690-0555 free, any hour, and an AI assistant trained on Montana and federal law will explain your charge, your court, and your next move in plain English — no form, no income test, no waiting.
Free legal information. Not legal advice. Available 24/7 across Montana.
Right now: stay silent except to say you want a lawyer, and do not explain your side to police — in Montana anything you say can be used whether the case lands in Justice Court or District Court. Write down the charge and statute number on any paperwork you were given. Note your first-appearance/arraignment date — missing it can trigger a bench warrant. If you can't afford a lawyer, ask the judge for the Office of the State Public Defender at your first appearance and complete the application. Then call 1-844-690-0555 free to understand exactly what you're facing before you make any statement or decision.
People arrive terrified asking whether they're facing a 'Class C felony' — a question that has no answer in Montana, because the state never adopted lettered felony classes. Your exposure is written into the exact Title 45 statute you're charged under, and two charges that sound alike can carry wildly different maximums. Worse, the catch-all default for an unspecified felony is 10 years and $50,000 (MCA 46-18-212), so 'minor-sounding' isn't safe. The first thing that actually tells you how much trouble you're in is the statute number printed on your citation, Complaint or Information — and most people can't read it. Call 1-844-690-0555 free and we'll translate that number into plain English: what it means, where it's heard, and what your realistic options are.
Legal Hotline is not a law firm and not a public defender — we give legal information, not legal advice. These verified Montana resources can also help, especially with court-appointed counsel and your record:
What 'class' of felony am I charged with in Montana?
None — Montana doesn't use felony classes. Each crime in Title 45 of the MCA sets its own maximum prison term and fine, and when a felony statute is silent the default ceiling is 10 years and $50,000 (MCA 46-18-212). The only way to know your exposure is to read the exact statute on your charging document. Call 1-844-690-0555 free and we'll translate that statute number for you.
How fast does bail get set after an arrest in Montana?
Usually within about 24 hours of arrest — or the next business day if you're picked up over a weekend. At your first appearance the judge sets bond and asks whether you'll hire a lawyer or want a public defender. Knowing what to expect before you walk in matters; call 1-844-690-0555 free, any hour, to understand your first appearance.
Misdemeanor or felony — which court will my case be in?
Misdemeanors, traffic and lower-level charges go to Justice, City or Municipal Court. Felonies are prosecuted in District Court, usually charged by Information filed by the county attorney rather than by a grand jury. The level of the charge decides the court, the procedure and the stakes. Call 1-844-690-0555 free to find out which one applies to you.
Can I get a deferred sentence in Montana?
Often, yes. Under MCA 46-18-201 a judge can defer imposition of sentence for up to 1 year on a misdemeanor or 3 years on a felony (2 and 6 years if a financial obligation is added). If you complete the conditions, the charge can be dismissed under MCA 46-18-204. Whether you're a candidate depends on your charge and record — call 1-844-690-0555 free to talk it through.
Can a misdemeanor be expunged from my record in Montana?
Yes, since the 2017 law (HB 168, MCA 46-18-1101). You can petition the District Court to erase misdemeanor records once you've completed your sentence and gone 5 years without a new conviction. It's available only once in your life, and it's not presumed for things like partner/family member assault, stalking, protective-order violations or DUI. Call 1-844-690-0555 free to see if you qualify.
Is a deferred sentence the same as having my record cleared?
No — and this trips people up. A deferred imposition only leads to dismissal if you complete every condition and the court dismisses it under MCA 46-18-204; otherwise the conviction stays on your record. Even after dismissal, full expungement is a separate step. Call 1-844-690-0555 free to understand the difference for your case.
Does Montana have 'stand your ground' if I defended myself?
Effectively, yes. MCA 45-3-102 and 45-3-103 justify reasonable force in defense of a person or an occupied structure, and MCA 45-3-110 says someone lawfully present has no duty to retreat or call for help before using force. But the force has to be reasonable and proportional, and these are fact-heavy defenses. Call 1-844-690-0555 free for clear information on how Montana's self-defense law applies.
What is a 'persistent felony offender' and why does it matter?
Under MCA 46-18-501 and 46-18-502 (amended by 2023's SB 96), if you have two prior felonies and at least one of the three offenses is violent or sexual, you can be sentenced to 5 to 100 years in state prison and up to a $50,000 fine — far beyond the base charge. If you have any felony history, this risk is real. Call 1-844-690-0555 free to find out whether it could apply.
I can't afford a lawyer — how do I get a public defender in Montana?
Ask the judge for the Office of the State Public Defender at your first appearance and complete the sworn application (MCA 46-8-101); you can apply online or, if you're in custody, through your detention officer. If you don't financially qualify, the court can reverse the appointment. Call 1-844-690-0555 free first so you understand your charge before you apply.
The police want to ask me 'just a few questions.' Should I talk?
Not before you understand your rights. In Montana, statements you make can be used against you whether the case ends up in Justice Court or District Court, and there's rarely an upside to explaining your side early. Say you want a lawyer and stay silent. Then call 1-844-690-0555 free, 24/7, for clear legal information on what to do next.
What if my case happened on a reservation or in Indian Country?
Criminal jurisdiction in Indian Country can split between tribal, state and federal courts, and Montana has 12 tribal nations and 7 reservations — so where your case is heard isn't always obvious. This is one of the most confusing areas of Montana criminal law. Call 1-844-690-0555 free for plain-English information on which court system may apply.
I was arrested for DUI — is this the right page?
Montana drunk-driving charges (Title 61, Chapter 8, Part 4) carry their own rules, penalties and license consequences, so they have a dedicated page. For everything else — assault, theft, drugs, weapons, warrants, probation — you're in the right place. Either way, call 1-844-690-0555 free, 24/7, and we'll point you to the right answers.
We send frightened, ready-to-act Montanans to our free legal-information line every day — and many need a licensed lawyer next. If you defend clients in Montana's Justice, City and District Courts, you can join our referral network and receive matched local enquiries. It's a clearly separate path from the client services above. Reach out to learn how Montana attorneys partner with us.
General legal information, not legal advice. We research every page from primary sources — legislation, the courts, and government legal-aid bodies — and check it for accuracy. Spotted something out of date? Tell us at admin@platfirm.ai.
The statute number on your paperwork decides everything — your court, your maximum sentence, and whether you can ever clear it. You don't have to decode it alone or wait for business hours. Call 1-844-690-0555 now, free and 24/7, and an AI assistant trained on Montana and federal law will explain your charge in plain English and, if you want, help you book a paid consultation with a Montana-licensed attorney. It's free legal information, it creates no attorney-client relationship, and it could change what happens next.
Free legal information. Not legal advice.