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Commission on Courts of Limited Jurisdiction

The Commission on Courts of Limited Jurisdiction was created by order of the Montana Supreme Court. The Commission identifies educational needs and supervises programs that result in judge certification.

Membership is comprised of six limited jurisdiction court judges, a district court judge, a representative of a city and a county government, the president of the limited jurisdiction court clerks' association, and a member of the State Bar of Montana. Members are appointed by the Supreme Court and serve staggered four-year terms. Members may serve more than one term. The OCA provides staff support to the Commission.

The Commission provides two mandatory education conferences each year for the Judges of the Courts of Limited Jurisdiction. It also provides certification testing every four years and Judges must receive a passing score to remain in office.

Finally, the Commission plans and supervises an annual conference for clerks of limited jurisdiction courts and publishes a clerks' manual.


COMMISSION ON COURTS OF LIMITED JURISDICTION – Current as of February, 2004

Hon. Johnny D. Seiffert, Chairman
Justice Court
P.O. Box 2
Red Lodge, MT 59068
Telephone 446-1440
Fax 446-9175
Term - Upon presidency ending

  Hon. Mary Jane McCalla Knisely, Vice Chair
Billings Municipal Court
P.O. Box 1178
Billings, MT 59103
Telephone 247-8650
Fax 657-3075
Term – 6/30/06
Paul J. Luwe
Attorney at Law
411 East Main Street
Bozeman, MT 59715-0640
Telephone 582-2309
Fax 582-2302
Term – 6/30/06
  Hon. David Ortley
Justice Court
800 South Main
Kalispell, MT 59901
Telephone 758-5643
Fax 758-5842
Hon. Douglas Harkin
District Court
200 West Broadway
Missoula, MT 59802
Telephone 523-4774
Fax 523-4739
Term – 6/30/06
  Hon. Gayle Stahl
Justice/City Court
P.O. Box 1396
Malta, MT 59538
Telephone 654-1118
Fax 758-5842
Hon. Scott Wyckman
Justice of the Peace
615 South 165 th Ave.
Bozeman, MT 59715
Telephone 582-2191
Fax 582-2163
  Prof. Margaret Tonon
School of Law
University of Montana
Missoula, MT 59812
Telephone 243-5597
Fax 243-2576
Hon. Perry Miller
City Court
P.O. Box 1266
Chinook, MT 59013
Telephone 357-2335
Fax 353-2721
Term – 6/30/06
  Sharon Skaggs, President MJC&MCCA
Justice Court
P.O. Box 35032
Billings, MT 59107
Telephone 256-2895
Fax 256-2898
Term – Upon presidency ending
SUPREME COURT LIAISON
Justice James C. Nelson

Justice Building - Room 425
215 North Sanders
Helena, MT 59620
Telephone 444-5570
Fax 444-3274
  M. Shaun Donovan
County Attorney
300 River
P.O. Box 339
Superior, MT 59872
Telephone 822-3535
Fax 822-3579
Term – 6/30/06

Staff:

Beth McLaughlin

 

301 South Park Avenue, Room 328
Helena, MT 59620
office 841-2966
fax 841-2955

Karen Sedlock

  301 South Park Avenue, Room 328
Helena, MT 59620
office 841-2966
fax 841-2955

Composed of : one District Judge, one city representative, one county representative, one State Bar representative, one small community City Judge, one large community City Judge, one small community JP, one large community JP, one member at large, the President of the Montana Magistrates Association, and the president of the Montana Justice, City and Municipal Court Clerks Assoc.