Criminal Justice (Sentencing)

introduced · Montana · Legislature Jan 10, 2025

LC 2796: Generally revise minor in possession laws

This bill creates separate criminal offenses for minors possessing or attempting to purchase alcohol, marijuana, or other intoxicating substances in Montana. It directly affects individuals under 21 years of age and establishes specific penalties based on age and offense frequency, including fines, community service hours, mandatory substance abuse education courses, and driver's license suspensions. The legislation distinguishes between younger offenders under 18 and those aged 18 to 20, with stricter penalties for repeat offenses, and includes provisions for transferring cases to youth court when minors fail to comply with sentencing requirements.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill expands criminalization of minors by creating separate offenses and imposing penalties like fines, community service, education courses, and license suspensions for substance possession.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Drug Policy Sentencing

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introduced · Montana · Legislature Feb 20, 2025

LC 3024: Generally revise DUI laws

This bill revises Montana's driving under the influence laws by clarifying how prior offenses and pending charges are counted when determining penalties. It expands the definition of a "prior offense" to include cases currently pending in court, meaning individuals with active DUI charges will face stricter penalties as if they had previous convictions. The legislation also standardizes language by replacing "violation" with "offense" in certain sections and maintains existing sentencing guidelines that impose mandatory jail time and fines, with higher penalties for drivers who have minors in their vehicle.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill expands DUI penalties by counting pending charges as prior offenses, increasing criminalization and reducing defendant rights85% confidence

Sub-Topics Sentencing

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introduced · Montana · Legislature Feb 10, 2025

LC 1270: Revise indecent exposure laws

This bill amends Montana's indecent exposure laws to specifically prohibit exposing one's genitals or intimate parts in public places to members of the opposite biological sex or the sex assigned at birth. The changes apply to anyone who knowingly or purposely engages in this conduct under circumstances likely to cause affront or alarm, with penalties ranging from fines and county jail time for first offenses to state prison sentences of up to 10 years for third or subsequent convictions. The law also defines specific public places where these rules apply, including restrooms, schools, parks, and other areas accessible to the public, while excluding private residence rooms. Additionally, the bill includes a separate provision for indecent exposure involving minors, which carries stricter penalties including mandatory minimum prison sentences of four years.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill expands criminalization by adding restrictions to indecent exposure laws, increasing penalties and limiting defendant rights through stricter enforcement measures.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Sentencing

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introduced · Montana · Legislature Dec 20, 2024

LC 1790: Generally revise laws related to dangerous drugs

This bill revises Montana's dangerous drug laws by updating penalties for criminal distribution and possession with intent to distribute. It directly affects individuals who sell, share, or possess drugs with the intent to distribute them. The bill establishes stricter sentencing guidelines, including enhanced penalties for distributing fentanyl and other synthetic opioids, distributing drugs to minors, or using firearms during drug crimes. It also allows judges to impose fines in addition to prison sentences for certain serious offenses. Medical practitioners and their supervised agents remain exempt from these provisions.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill increases penalties for drug crimes and expands criminalization through stricter sentencing guidelines and enhanced penalties for distribution.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Drug Policy Sentencing

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introduced · Montana · Legislature Feb 17, 2025

LC 2318: Revise DUI offense penalties for third offense to be a felony

This bill proposes to increase penalties for a third driving under the influence offense in Montana by classifying it as a felony rather than a misdemeanor. The changes directly affect individuals convicted of their third DUI offense, raising the minimum jail time from 30 days to 60 days if a minor passenger was present, and increasing fines from $2,500 to $5,000 minimum. The legislation also maintains existing provisions that allow judges to suspend portions of sentences pending completion of chemical dependency treatment programs while prohibiting home arrest for mandatory minimum terms. Additionally, the bill preserves stricter penalties for cases involving prior felony DUI convictions or aggravated driving under the influence charges.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill increases mandatory sentences and expands criminalization for DUI offenses, restricting defendant rights and strengthening punitive measures.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Sentencing

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died · Montana · Legislature May 27, 2025

LC 2993: Increase mandatory minimums for fentanyl trafficking

LC 2993, titled "Increase mandatory minimums for fentanyl trafficking," would have raised the minimum prison sentences for individuals convicted of trafficking fentanyl. It would directly affect people found guilty of fentanyl trafficking by requiring longer mandatory prison terms. The key provision would have amended sentencing guidelines to set higher minimum terms for these offenses. However, the bill died in the legislative process on May 27, 2025, and did not become law.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeIncreases mandatory sentences for fentanyl trafficking, directly opposing criminal justice reform by expanding harsh sentencing policies.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Drug Policy Sentencing

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died · Montana · Legislature May 27, 2025

LC 2907: Increase firearm theft penalties

This draft bill (LC 2907) aimed to increase criminal penalties for individuals convicted of stealing firearms. It would have directly affected people found guilty of firearm theft by imposing stricter sentencing requirements. The bill was assigned to a drafter in December 2024 but was placed on hold in January 2025 and ultimately died in the legislative process in May 2025 without becoming law.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill increases penalties for firearm theft, expanding criminalization and mandatory sentencing - directly opposing reform efforts in criminal justice.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Firearms Sentencing

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signed · Montana · House Apr 25, 2025

HB 267: Revise DUI laws related to enacting Bobby's law

HB 267, also known as "Bobby's Law," creates the new crime of aggravated vehicular homicide while under the influence. This bill applies to individuals who negligently cause another person's death while operating a vehicle under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Upon conviction, offenders face mandatory imprisonment ranging from 3 to 30 years, a fine between $10,000 and $50,000, or both. A key provision is that the imposition of this sentence cannot be deferred, meaning it must be served immediately upon conviction. The bill also updates existing statutes to include this new offense as a "serious crime" and to reflect the non-deferrable sentencing.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeCreates mandatory prison terms for DUI-related deaths, expanding criminalization and increasing sentencing severity95% confidence

Sub-Topics Sentencing Violent Crime

died · Montana · House May 20, 2025

HB 287: Generally revise laws related to dangerous drugs

HB 287 proposes to revise laws concerning dangerous drugs, primarily by introducing enhanced penalties. It establishes additional prison sentences for individuals who knowingly possess or use a firearm while committing offenses related to the criminal distribution or possession with intent to distribute dangerous drugs. The bill also sets specific, stricter penalties for the distribution or possession with intent to distribute fentanyl and similar substances, including mandatory minimum prison terms for certain quantities. Additionally, it clarifies that fines can be imposed alongside imprisonment for criminal distribution of dangerous drugs.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill increases mandatory sentences and penalties for drug offenses, expanding criminalization and restricting defendant rights per indicators.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Drug Policy Firearms Sentencing

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signed · Montana · House May 8, 2025

HB 332: Generally revise youth court laws

HB 332 revises youth court laws by expanding the types of offenses for which youth may be tried directly in district court, rather than youth court. It specifies age thresholds for these offenses, which include serious crimes like homicide, sexual assault, and drug distribution. The bill allows a youth to waive the right to a transfer hearing, which determines if their case should move back to youth court. It also details the criteria for a district court to transfer a case back to youth court and outlines sentencing and detention procedures for youth prosecuted in the adult system.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeMoves serious youth offenses to adult court, bypasses youth court protections, and eliminates transfer hearing waivers, reducing rehabilitative options for minors.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Juvenile Justice Sentencing Violent Crime