Montana Supreme Court

Recent Posts

Athlete’s privacy rights debated in Krakauer’s high court hearing

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The Montana Supreme Court on Wednesday heard oral arguments in a case that pits the public’s right to know against a student’s right to privacy, and whether a lower court erred in granting author Jon Krakauer access to the student’s disciplinary records. Krakauer is seeking records pertaining to the 2012 disciplinary proceedings of Jordan Johnson, the former starting quarterback for the University of Montana football team. The proceedings found Johnson guilty of rape and ordered him expelled from school. Commissioner of Higher Education Clayton Christian overturned the decision, however, and Johnson was never expelled. He was later found not guilty in Missoula District Court. Continue Reading →

Filed under: News, Clayton Christian, Jon Krakauer, Jordan Johnson, Kathy Seeley, Montana Supreme Court

David Crisp: On medical pot, legislative ‘fix’ was a disaster

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Crisp

I’ve probably told this story too many times, but I can’t discuss medical marijuana without bringing it up: On a vacation in Minnesota, many years ago, long before the statute of limitations ran out, I suffered a severe roadside attack of diarrhea. I need not, and probably should not, describe how awful that was. (more…) Continue Reading →

Filed under: Opinion, Barack Obama, Bill Clinton, Medical marijuana, Montana Legislature, Montana Supreme Court

State high court sides with consumer in debt-fraud case

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Court

The Montana Supreme Court has cleared a path to trial for a Butte woman who says she was defrauded by a company that promised to help reduce her debts. Billings attorney Cliff Edwards, one of the lawyers for Susan Ossello, said the 5-2 decision issued last week by the state high court is “a great big deal” and a clear victory for Montana consumers. (more…) Continue Reading →

Filed under: Montana, News, Cliff Edwards, Discover Bank, Global Client Solutions, Kurt Krueger, Laurie McKinnon, Mike McGrath

High-stakes marijuana debate coming to a head in Montana

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Khronic

In 2012, after a lifetime fighting alcohol and drug addiction, Corey Wolcott had reached his limit. He had ballooned to 286 pounds, and he essentially died in a doctor’s office, turning blue for 22 minutes. After he revived, he said, he was told to go home and get his affairs in order. “You won’t make a week,” he said he was told. (more…) Continue Reading →

Filed under: Montana, News, Billings Alternative Wellness, Corey Wolcott, Dr. Mark Ibsen, Elizabeth Pincolini, Medical marijuana, Montana Cannabis Industry Association

Ex-judge, censured over rape comments, to receive award

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Baugh

Next month, less than a year after he was censured by the Montana Supreme Court for comments he made while sentencing a man who raped a 14-year-old girl, retired District Judge G. Todd Baugh will receive a lifetime achievement award from the Yellowstone Area Bar Association. Marian Bradley, president of the Montana chapter of the National Organization for Women, said there is “something absolutely wrong” with members of the local bar giving Baugh the award. (more…) Continue Reading →

Filed under: Billings, News, Cherice Moralez, G. Todd Baugh, Jessica Fehr, Marian Bradley, Mike McGrath, Montana Supreme Court

VanDyke takes yet another political job

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The Nevada Appeal is reporting that Lawrence VanDyke, who lost a very expensive campaign to unseat Montana Supreme Court Justice Mike Wheat last month, has a new job. He has been named solicitor general for Nevada by that state’s newly elected attorney general, Adam Laxalt. VanDyke held the same position in Texas before Montana Attorney General Tim Fox hired him as his solicitor general. VanDyke worked there for only a year and a half before quitting, and with that very slender experience as a Montana lawyer decided to challenge Wheat. VanDyke attracted a lot of outside money—and it is true that Wheat did as well, in response to what seemed like a blatant attempt by non-Montanans to buy a seat on our highest court—and still got clobbered in the election, which reflects well on the ability of Montana voters to pay attention. Everything VanDyke has done suggests he is exactly the opposite of how he billed himself in his campaign slogan, “Law, Not Politics.” Continue Reading →

Filed under: Last Best Blog, Adam Laxalt, Lawrence VanDyke, Mike Wheat, Montana Supreme Court, Steve Sebelius, Tim Fox

The pleasure of voting for Mike Wheat

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Wheat

In almost every election there is something on the ballot I feel good about voting for or against, something to balance my cynical distaste for politics. A few years ago it was the chance to vote for our beautiful new library. When I pass it now I can say to myself, “I built that,” and it’s kind of true, in a way. In other elections, during the time I was covering the City Council, I could for vote for an incumbent I knew from experience to be a good public servant—or against one I knew to be an annoying jackass. (more…) Continue Reading →

Filed under: Prairie Lights, Chuck johnson, John Adams, Lawrence VanDyke, Mike Wheat, Montana Supreme Court