The District Courts are Montana’s trial courts of general jurisdiction, handling felony criminal cases, all civil cases, mental health commitments, and appellate jurisdiction over the lower courts. The ultimate mission of the District Court is to provide for the fair expeditious, just and final resolution of significant legal disputes. This must be accomplished by fair treatment of all litigants, timely disposition of cases consistent with the circumstances of each individual case, enhancement of the quality of the litigation process and promotion of the public confidence in the District Court as a vital public institution.
There are two departments of the district courts: