Oral Arguments
The majority of cases before the Montana Supreme Court are decided based upon the written briefs submitted by the parties for the Court's consideration. However, the Court may decide that a case requires further discussion, in addition to what the parties have argued in their written briefs. In such cases, the Court schedules specific dates and times to hear oral arguments in open session before the Court. Approximately 30 cases a year are scheduled for oral argument.
Oral arguments are tightly structured and timed. The counsel for the appellant (appealing party) is given a total of 40 minutes, and the respondent's counsel (party adverse to the appealing party) is allowed 30 minutes.
While this format allows the counsel brief opportunity to further develop their arguments, it also gives the Court an opportunity to ask questions of the attorneys on points which the Court needs clarification.
Finally, while the majority of oral arguments take place in the Montana Supreme Court Courtroom, located at 215 N. Sanders, Helena, Montana, the Court does schedule a few arguments to be heard in different cities around the Treasure State. All of the oral arguments are open to the public.
Click Here to view previous Oral Agruments
June 2008:
DA 07-0500 BILLINGS GAZETTE, Petitioner and Appellant, and WILLIAM D’ALTON, Intervenor/Petitioner, v. THE STATE OF MONTANA, by and through its Commission on Practice and OFFICE OF DISCIPLINARY COUNSEL, Respondents and Appellees.
ORAL ARGUMENT is set for Wednesday, June 25, 2008, at 9:30 a.m. in the Courtroom of the Montana Supreme Court, Helena, Montana.
July 2008
No Arguments Scheduled
August 2008
No Arguments Scheduled
September 2008
DA 07-0400 STATE OF MONTANA, Plaintiff and Appellee, v. RYAN M. HILL, Defendant and Appellant.
ORAL ARGUMENT is set for Wednesday, September 17, 2008, at 9:30 a.m. in the Courtroom of the Montana Supreme Court, Helena, Montana.
DA 07-0170 ROBERT JACOBSEN, Plaintiff, Appellee, and Cross-Appellant, v. ALLSTATE INSURANCE COMPANY, Defendant and Appellant.
ORAL ARGUMENT is set for Wednesday, September 24, 2008, at 9:30 a.m. in the Courtroom of the Montana Supreme Court, Helena, Montana.
DA 07-0353 REBECCA E. MATTSON, et al., Plaintiffs and Appellants, v. MONTANA POWER COMPANY, a Montana Corporation, et al., Defendants and Cross-Appellants.
ORAL ARGUMENT is set for Wednesday, September 24, 2008, at 1:30 p.m. in the Courtroom of the Montana Supreme Court, Helena, Montana.
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