What better time to write about Freedom of Speech, than the week of Independence Day. The Supreme Court recently addressed freedom of speech in Mahonoy Area School District v. B.L., in a case discussing a high school student's expressed frustration with the school on Snapchat. The high school cheerleader had tried out for the cheerleading team, and did not make it. So she posted a couple of photos on her Snapchat with middle fingers raised, stating "Fuck school fuck softball fuck cheer fuck everything." The school suspended the student from the team, and so ensued this case. 

I'll remind parents now, this might be a good time to read the other blog post on protecting your kids from social media trouble, found here. 

So, was the student's off campus speech, on her smartphone, via Snapchat, protected under the First Amendment? The Court said YES. The Court, in its holding, reminded that students do not "shed their constitutional rights to freedom of speech or expression" even "at the school house gate." See ​Tinker, 393 U.S. at 506.  The Court went on to say that Minors are entitled to significant measures of First Amendment protection. There are some instances in which the student speech may be regulated in the school: lewd, vulgar speech uttered on school grounds or during school assembly; speech uttered during class that promotes "illegal drug use"; and speech that others may reasonably perceive as bearing the imprimatur of the school (such as statements in school newspapers). And finally, the Court has held that schools do have a special interest in regulating speech that "materially disrupts classwork or involves substantial disorder or invasion of rights of others." See Tinker, at 513. 

So, even though the school may have the right to limit speech of a student in certain circumstances, the Court has held that generally, there are a few circumstances where student speech cannot be regulated. First, off-campus speech should normally fall within the zone of parental responsibility, rather than school responsibility. Second, courts are more skeptical of a school's effort to regulate off campus speech, because doing so may result in the student not having any right to free speech, at all. And third, schools should work to ensure that future generations understand the workings in the well-known statement: "I disapprove of what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it." In other words, schools should encourage students to express the unpopular opinion and engage in meaningful conversation. 

In summary, the Court found that the student's speech about the school was essentially criticism of the team, the coaches, and the school. It did not involve any statement that would place it outside the normal First Amendment protections. While crude, the statement did not amount to fighting words and did not pose a threat. In fact, had the student been an adult, the speech would have been provided strong protection under the First Amendment. See Snyder v. Phelps, 562 U.S. 443, 461 (2011), a case which held that the First Amendment protects "even hurtful speech on public issues to ensure that we do not stifle public debate." 

So, what does this mean for your kids? Can they say what they want, when they want? Not really. The Court relied heavily on the fact that this student's statements were made outside the school grounds and outside of school hours. The Court also relied on the fact that these statements were not shown to disrupt the school in any way, other than a few small conversations by students who had seen the post. Finally, the Court considers whether the parents should be acting, or if it is speech that the school should be regulating. 

In the words of George Orwell, "If liberty means anything at all, it means the right to tell people what they do not want to hear." Happy Independence Day, Friends. 

​- Jill 

Divorce is a topic that many hope they never find themselves researching, but there has been an increase in divorce over the last year, and if you find yourself in that position, you should be prepared. Below are some tips for navigating the divorce process from start to finish. Hope you find these tips helpful.

1. Is There An Agreement? The first question you should ask yourself is whether you and your spouse are in agreement. Are you in agreement that a divorce needs to happen, and are you in agreement with how things should be settled? If so, you may be able to proceed with a divorce action without an attorney. While it is always a great idea to consult with an attorney, Montana has done an excellent job of providing resources to those who may not be able to afford that option, and find that they can get things done themselves. See this link for forms on filing a divorce and parenting petition in Montana, and some very helpful information to guide you through that process. 

2. Do you have minor children? If you have minor children, the most commonly discussed area will certainly be the parenting plan. Most parents find themselves wanting the most amount of time they can get with their children, and this piece of the divorce puzzle can be very difficult emotionally. If you have minor children, and you and your spouse are not on the same page with regard to the parenting of those children, it would be a good idea to find an attorney. An attorney can be a great resource to provide you with reasonable expectations, the law regarding parenting time, and what to expect in a parenting plan. One of the biggest issues with parents doing a parenting plan without an attorney tends to be the lack of information contemplated in that plan. Unfortunately those parents often end up needing to remedy those issues at high-stress times. When children are involved, it is a great idea to have an attorney as a counselor to guide you through that process. 

3. What is the First Step? Whether or not you have an attorney or represent yourself, the first step in getting a divorce moving will be for one party to file a Petition for Dissolution action. This person filing the petition will serve their spouse, and their spouse will then have 21 days to respond to the petition. This starts the process for divorce, but know that the process is still a long ways from being complete. There are many steps between filing and finality, and patience is a virtue. 

4. What Can I Expect? Divorce is an emotional process, and you should expect that the process will probably not go perfectly. The settlement of property and the parenting of children requires big decisions to be made, and taking your time is a good idea. You can expect in Montana that the Judge may order mediation to be done prior to seeing the Judge. Many Judge's in Montana require mediation prior to trial, in an effort to allow the parties to settle without going to court and having a full trial. 

5. ​What is Mediation? Mediation is a private, confidential, informal dispute resolution process where an impartial third party (the mediator) assists parties in resolving their differences. See M.C.A. 26-1-813. In other words, mediation is a meeting with a third party mediator where the mediator tries to help the parties work out a resolution with regard to the divorce: property settlement and parenting if necessary. Your settlement offers and statements you say in mediation cannot be used against you in trial. The goal of mediation is to provide parties with an opportunity to speak freely and openly about what they may be willing to settle for, without feeling like that could be used against them if they don't settle and have to go to court. Mediation can be a fruitful process, saving the parties many long hours of stress, anxiety, and legal fees in preparation for trial. To be successful in mediation, be prepared and ready to talk about all of the issues that need to be settled. 

6. ​What if We Have to go to Court? If you have to go to court, that means you have likely exhausted all the discussions about settlement and have a trial date set by the Court. You will need to make sure you have all of your witnesses (people who can testify about the issues you need to bring up) and exhibits (documents you need the Judge to see to make a decision) ready to go and given to your attorney if you are represented. Preparation and organization will serve you well if you end up in Trial. 

In summary, do your research and do some self reflection when deciding how you want to proceed with divorce. If you feel like you and your spouse may be able to resolve things on your own, feel free to utilize the resources above. If you feel like you and your spouse could use some assistance or will have difficulty communicating throughout the process, it would be a good idea to get an attorney involved and have their assistance. Hope these tips are helpful in navigating this difficult process.

-Jill 

Well, we are on Day 45 of the Montana Legislative Session and the people of Helena are busy. If you are interested in what's happening in Helena, and what may or may not affect you, I would suggest going here for an overview.
Here are some new laws that I thought might interest my readers: 
​

1. HB 102: This one is a big one for Montana Gun Owners. The purpose of the bill is : " to enhance the safety of people by expanding their legal ability to provide for their own defense by reducing or eliminating government-mandated places where only criminals are armed and where citizens are prevented from exercising their fundamental right to defend themselves and others."  In summary, this one changes were concealed carry permit holders are allowed to carry, changes the game with Universities prohibiting possession of firearms on campus, the carrying of a concealed weapon without a permit, and drawing a weapon when a person feels threatened. If you own a gun and live in Montana, you're going to want to read this one. It can be found here.
2. HB 108: Montana Hunters will want to review this one, and some of the other hunting laws that are in the works. This one relates to trespassing on private land for hunting purposes. Gone are the days of trespassers carrying around wads of cash to pay their trespass fine and keep on causing problems. This new law allows for repeat trespassers (second offense or more) to face a suspension of hunting/fishing privileges. And remember, losing your hunting/fishing privileges in one state means you lose them in 48 states. This one can be found here. 
3. SB 61: This is a fun one. Montana now offers FREE FISHING on Mother's Day! Father's Day has been a Free Fishing Day for a while, but this one lets the Moms have fun too. 

There are many other laws in the works that might interest you. I would suggest doing a search for topics of interest so you can see what's happening. If you have questions about what is coming, please feel free to send a message or comment and I will provide updates as they are available. 

Stay informed, educate yourself, and keep up to date. These things matter to all of us in one way or another. 

- Jill 

So your kid is in trouble. I know, you all think it won't happen to you. You are a good parent. You set rules and boundaries, and you teach your kids respect. Your kid has good grades. The teachers love her. He would never do anything to disappoint you. It's all well and good, except for one thing: kids are kids, and sometimes they do things we wish they wouldn't. 

Let's start with the why. Kids can get in trouble for a variety of reasons, and with varying degrees. But one thing is certain: kids make poor decisions. Recent research has shown that juvenile brains do not fully develop until the age of 25. Twenty-five. Think about what you were doing at 25, and then consider that your brain wasn't even fully developed. Because this information is still relatively new, many children have been treated as adults in the criminal justice system. We are now faced with undoing some of those mistakes. 

Now that we know why even the best of the best kids might make a really poor decision, let's talk about what to do if it happens in your family. 

First, make sure you understand the seriousness of what is going on. Is your kid facing a misdemeanor? A curfew violation? A felony? The varying degrees of seriousness are really important in how you move forward. If your kid broke curfew, you can probably work that out without hiring an attorney. But if your kid is facing a felony, take it seriously. 

Next, find out if a juvenile probation officer is involved, assuming your kid is under 18. If so, this person can be an extremely valuable resource for you to assist with navigating the seriousness of what has happened and making a decision as to how to move forward.  

Once you have assessed the seriousness, your next step is likely to make contact with an attorney. This can be a valuable meeting and you will likely learn from that person how to handle moving forward. Your attorney can also assist with meetings with investigators, if necessary. Make sure your attorney has experience dealing with juvenile offenses if your child is under 18. There are different laws regarding juveniles and your attorney needs to be well-versed in that area. 

Often times parents call my office when it's too late. Their kid has already seen the Judge and pled guilty. Or their child went to the police and confessed to everything, or worse, lied about everything. Don't wait until it's too late. Be proactive. This is not a time to let your kid "learn lessons the hard way" as the charges will follow them around for a very long time, depending on their age and the seriousness of the offense. 

Here's hoping that your children are never faced with a legal battle. But if you do find yourself in that position, contact a lawyer and be proactive. You will get through it, and your kid still has a future. 

​- Jill 

​Ok, friends, Hunting season is upon us here in Montana. With archery season in full-swing and rifle season coming up next, I thought this would be a good time to remind everyone of the laws surrounding hunting in Montana.

Many hunters - both seasoned and rookie - get themselves into predicaments without even intending to do so. The FWP regulations can be confusing and even those who have spent significant time reading the regulations may have a hard time fully understanding the nuances of the FWP laws.

Top Mistakes Made In The Field:

1. Trespassing: Likely the most common hunting and fishing violation in Montana is trespassing. The easiest way to be sure you aren’t breaking this law is to get yourself a GPS or Smartphone software to know where you are. Montana Code Annotated 87-6-415 governs trespass in the FWP laws. It is the hunter’s responsibility to know where they are hunting, and if there is any question, the hunter should ask permission. Many landowners in Montana allow hunters to access their land with permission or through government agreements. Don’t be the guy who ruins it for the other hunters by trespassing on land that doesn’t belong to you. An interesting note: some people think that if you pay the minimal trespass fee, that will be the end of it. However, if you shoot an animal while trespassing, you could be on the hook for Unlawful Possession of a Game Animal and be facing stiffer penalties, such as losing your animal and/or hunting privileges.
2. Shooting Over or Across a Road: Ok, this one may seem obvious: don’t shoot from the road. But it’s not that simple. Montana Code Annotated 87-6-403 says that it is unlawful for a person to hunt or attempt to hunt any game animal on, from, or across any public highway or the shoulder, berm, or barrow pit right-of-way of any public highway.. So what is a highway? When I think of a highway, I think of paved roads and highly traveled roadways. But “highway” is defined as “the entire width between the boundary lines of every publicly maintained way when any part of the publicly maintained way is open to the use of the public for purposes of vehicle travel.” In short - “highway” includes your favorite gravel road to road-hunt from. Make sure that if you do spot a big buck while driving down that old dirt road, you get yourself out of the vehicle and far enough off the road to protect yourself. Note: if you get caught violating this law - you lose your hunting and fishing privileges for 24 months.
3. Failure to Keep Evidence of Gender: Montana Code Annotated 87-6-406 requires that any hunter who kills a game animal shall retain evidence of sex of the animal with the carcass until it is processed. This one can be easily forgotten when you’re in the field with your harvested animal and don’t feel like packing out the evidence of sex from 4 miles in that deep canyon. While a violation of this law won’t get you a mandatory hunting/fishing license suspension, the law does allow for the Judge to suspend your hunting/fishing privileges if they see fit.
4. Hunting from a Vehicle: Ok road hunters, this one is for you. Montana Code Annotated 87-6-405 makes it unlawful to hunt or attempt to hunt any game animal from a motor vehicle. This includes chasing antelope in a stubble field at 60 mph (not that anyone reading this would ever do that). This also includes driving a vehicle on roads that are closed to motorized vehicles. Remember, we don’t want to ruin our access to private and public land by driving all over the places we aren’t supposed to be driving. Importantly, this one also comes with a mandatory 24 month suspension of hunting/fishing privileges, so make sure you aren't breaking the rules on this one.
5. Shooting before/after Shooting Hours: Remember, don’t shoot outside shooting hours. The FWP provides a table specific to these hours so you can be sure you aren’t making a mistake. The table can be found here: http://fwp.mt.gov/fwpDoc.html?id=8989. No, you can't use your smartphone weather app to tell you when sunrise/sunset is. The FWP table is the only time you are supposed to be relying on when hunting. 

As mentioned, some FWP violations can result in you losing your hunting/fishing privileges. The loss of privileges can be compounded for each violation you make, and you could end up with no meat in the freezer for a decade before you know it. Not only that, the fines for each of the charges are huge. Even worse, you could lose Grandpa’s rifle that you cherish when the FWP takes the rifle you used as evidence. Don’t take these laws for granted, they are important and come with stiff penalties.

These are just the most common mistakes made in the field. Make sure you understand all the regulations and the changes that are made yearly. The most recent FWP regulations can be found here: http://fwp.mt.gov/hunting/regulations/. If you aren’t sure if you are breaking a rule or have broken a rule, do your research or call someone for help. Better to be safe than sorry - especially when it comes to losing your hunting/fishing privileges for years moving forward.

Good luck, have fun, and be safe. And if you find yourself in a bind, call an attorney.
- Jill



​

A criminal record can be something that lurks around like a big dark cloud. But the good news is, that storm can pass with Montana’s Laws allowing for expungement of a criminal record. You know the story - you went to that party in college and it got busted. You were given an MIP ticket, paid your fine, and went about your life. Nothing to worry about right? But then, you grew up, got a real job, and they pulled your record. That MIP from when you were 18 years old suddenly becomes a big deal. Let’s think about this another way: You got in a bar fight that one time 15 years ago. You paid your fines, served your night in jail, and moved on. But then you applied for a Concealed Weapons Permit, and the application asked about your criminal history. Even the most minor criminal conviction can affect you for the rest of your life. 

So what do you need to do to protect your criminal record? In 2017, Montana created a route to get your criminal record expunged. Montana Code Annotated 46-18-11 outlines the procedure for expungement of a criminal record in Montana. The process is fairly straight forward, but you may find you need legal representation to assist you with the process. 

Depending on the type of crime you are attempting to expunge, the general process requires these steps:

1. File a petition with the district court where the conviction occurred. The petition will request the court to expunge the records of arrest, investigation and detention, and any court proceedings that may have been held. 
2. Depending on the crime, expungement could be presumed. If you have not been convicted of any offense for 5 years, have completed all you court requirements, and the prosecutor is in agreement, the expungement is likely presumed.
3. Some crimes will not be presumed, and the process requires a bit more procedure. If you have been convicted of Assault, Partner Family Member Assault, Stalking, Sexual Assault, or DUI (and potentially others), the court must consider certain factors before making a determination on expungement. 
4. No matter the situation, every petition must be served on the County Attorney’s office where the offense was committed. If there is a victim, the County Attorney has a duty to notify the victim. It’s always good to reach out to the County Attorney before filing the petition, so you know the position and can relay that information to the Court.
5. Finally, if the Judge grants your request, you must file a form with the Department of Justice to finalize the process of getting your record cleared. This form must be filed with a new fingerprint card. The form can be found here: https://media.dojmt.gov/wp-content/uploads/ExpungementRequestForm.pdf.

Your Criminal Record is important, and should be treated that way. If you find yourself with a black cloud lurking over your shoulder, and you’d like to get it taken care of, consider petitioning for expungement of your criminal record. This is one of the best investments you can make in your future. 

-Jill 

The Montana Governor announced a directive yesterday ordering mandatory face coverings in certain public settings in Montana.

In summary, the Governor's directive requires that all businesses, government offices, or other persons responsible for indoor spaces open to the public require and take reasonable measures to ensure that all employees, contractors, volunteers, customers, or other members of the public wear a face covering that covers their mouth and nose at all times while entering or remaining in any indoor spaces open to the public. Additionally, the directive requires businesses open to the public to post a sign at all points of entry indicating that a mask or face covering is required for ages 5 and older.

Additionally, the directive requires masks or face coverings to be worn at outdoor activities where social distancing is not possible or observed. 

Certainly there are exceptions to the mask requirement: children under the age of 5, people consuming food or drink in a public establishment, people doing strenuous exercise or swimming, people speaking to the hearing impaired, people performing in a theatrical setting when the audience is 6 feet away, people removing their mask for identification, people receiving medical treatment, and people with a medical condition precluding the safe wearing of a face covering. 

Within minutes, the strong personalities of Montana have expressed their opinions on what is "legal", "constitutional", "protected", etc.  Many are thrilled, many are angry, and many just want to know what their duties are. 

So, let's get to the issue: Is the Governor's Directive Unconstitutional? Can it be enforced? What happens if I don't wear one? What if I have a disability?

1. Is it Unconstitutional? Legal professionals from around the country have been wrestling with this question since the beginning of the COVID-19 issues, and the short answer is, likely the Courts would say it is a Constitutional directive. The United States Constitution's 10th Amendment and the United States Supreme Court Decisions over the last couple-hundred years show that the State government has the authority to control the spread of dangerous diseases within their jurisdiction. It is important to know the laws on government mandates to answer this question. While we have all heard that we are in "unprecedented" times, when it comes to government mandates, we are certainly not in an unprecedented time. In Jacobson v. Massachusetts, 197 U.S. 11, a Supreme Court case from 1905,  Mr. Jacobson challenged a mandatory smallpox vaccine, based on an unreasonable invasion of his liberties. The Supreme Court of the United States held that it was not unconstitutional for the State to order a smallpox vaccine due to the government's "police power" which allows the government to protect the health and welfare of its people." To sum this up, the United States Supreme Court ruled 115 years ago that it was ok for a government to inject people with a vaccine in a time of public crisis. Given that Supreme Court ruling, it seems as though a requirement for people to wear a mask in public places during a time of public health crisis would also be held constitutional. 
2. Enforcement: I have heard many concerns about how this directive can or will be enforced. The directive states that it can be enforced by the Attorney General, the County Attorney, DPHHS, or other local authorities under the direction of the County Attorney. The directive is enforceable only against businesses and other persons who are responsible for indoor spaces open to the public, or sponsors of organized outdoor activities as defined in the directive. Law enforcement and local public health agencies are directed to focus their enforcement of this Directive on education, providing warnings and education about the risk of transmission, while reserving the imposition of penalties and other formal enforcement for ​only the most egregious, repeated violations that put the public at risk. Remember, the Governor's directive is only Constitutional when it is used to protect the public. This directive does not allow for enforcement against individuals for not masking up or for not masking up their kids. 
3. What If I Have a Disability Preventing Me From Wearing a Mask?  Many have expressed a concern about wearing a mask or face covering due to having a disability. I have heard from many that they have a disability and they don't have to wear one, and the business can't ask them about their disability because of HIPAA. Let's all make sure we understand the laws. HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act) applies to the privacy and security of certain health information and establishes national standards for the protection of health insurance information, specifically in the health care industry. This is not what is at play here. When it comes to a disability, and accommodations in a public business, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) applies. Not surprisingly, the ADA and the Department of Justice have already addressed the claim that because someone has a disability, they are automatically exempt from this directive. There is no blanket exemption to people with disabilities, and the document/card floating around facebook claiming the exemption with the Deparment of Justice Seal is fraudulent (See https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/department-justice-warns-inaccurate-flyers-and-postings-regarding-use-face-masks-and). The ADA is an anti-discrimination law, meaning that persons with disabilities should be given legal protections and accommodations. While there is no new ADA law on the issue of requiring face masks, the ADA has issued guidance to businesses to accommodate those with disabilities who are unable to wear a face covering.  There are many special provisions and policies that have been adopted under the ADA due to COVID-19. The bottom line is this: if you have a disability, the business is not required to allow you to do business as usual. Rather, the business is required to attempt a reasonable accusation for your disability. Maybe that means a less-invasive type of face covering. Maybe that means curbside pickup. But understand that the business does not have to offer a reasonable accommodation if the accommodation will be a fundamental alternation to the services offered, if it creates an undue burden to the business, or if it poses a direct threat to the health and safety of others. So, to answer the question that seems to be circulating heavily these days, "can the business ask what my disability is?" No. The Business should only ask: "Is not wearing a mask or face covering an accommodation to a disability?" And "What benefits do you receive from not wearing a mask?" The Business should then be prepared to accommodate the individual who is unable to wear a face covering. 

Here's the summary: The Governor's directive can be found here: 
https://dphhs.mt.gov/Portals/85/Documents/NewsLetters/MaskDirective.pdf.
Read it, ask yourself questions, and attempt to understand what it says. The directive may not even apply to you or your situation. If you have a question about whether or not it applies to something you are doing, ask questions. Understand the enforcement allowed under the directive is not first with policing, but rather, education. If someone in your community is providing false information, help educate them. 

I hope this information is helpful to those of you trying to sort out the new directive, as I found myself doing yesterday afternoon. If you have questions or concerns about the enforceability of this directive, feel free to ask. 

- Jill 

This blog post is for information purposes only, and does not constitute legal advice.

Do I really need a lawyer? Couldn't I just do this myself? I mean, I watch a lot of Law and Order. It can't be that hard, with the assistance of a google search-bar. These are all thoughts that cross the minds of many people when considering whether or not they need a lawyer. Many times the question of whether or not a person really needs a lawyer is crossing their mind due to finances. Sometimes, people might truly assume they'll be fine without one. And sometimes you may not actually need a lawyer. This post will provide some guidance on things to consider when making this very important decision, resources for legal help if you can't afford an attorney, and resources for times when you might be going at it alone.
 
Deciding if you need a lawyer:

1. Consider calling around or doing a quick google search and finding lawyers who offer free consultations. It never hurts to set up a free consult, meet with the attorney, and decide if you need assistance or if you can go at it alone. Many lawyers offer free consults, and will provide 30+ minutes of time to make this important decision. 
2. If you are facing criminal charges, the general rule is yes, you need a lawyer. Criminal charges are important, and come with serious collateral consequences that are often overlooked. If you find yourself looking at a criminal charge, it is important to know what you are facing, including the consequences that may not be so obvious. 
3. If you are dealing with other legal issues, think about how much time you have to commit to the issue. Legal work is time-consuming, and can be confusing. If you simply don't have the time or energy, it may be worthwhile to find a lawyer for some help.

Deciding which lawyer to hire:

1. When you meet with a lawyer, you should feel comfortable talking about personal matters, and feel comfortable with your lawyer's communication. Communication is one of the most important pieces of a lawyer-client relationship, and if you don't communicate well at the first meeting, you probably shouldn't work with each other. This is when the "free consultations" become important. 
2. Feel free to ask about the lawyer's experiences with your particular issue, inside and outside of the courtroom, and even personal case experience. Most lawyers are happy to share their expertise with you, and let you know whether or not they are comfortable taking on your case. 
3. Ask around, if possible. If you know others who have used the lawyer, ask about their experience. If you know people who work in the justice system or with the Courts, ask about their experience. 
4. Consider that lawyers are a personal fit. You should feel comfortable with your lawyer, and confident in the representation, but most importantly, you should trust your lawyer. 

I decided I don't need a lawyer - now what?

1. If you are going to court, dress like you are going to church. Show the Judge you are taking it seriously, wear your nice clothes, and talk respectfully. Judges want to know that you take all matters in the legal system seriously, and dressing the part is the first step in showing you are serious.
2. If you are going to file something with the Court, write with professionalism and be courteous to everyone involved. Most people in the Courts and other parts of the legal system are more than willing to help, with a little kindness. 
3. If you are talking to a Judge, show respect. "Your Honor" is the way to address the Judge, at all times. This shows the Judge that you know the roles of the parties, you have done your homework, and you came to court ready to handle your matter with professionalism. 

Resources:

1. Check in with lawyers in your community about pro bono work. This means the lawyer would represent you for free. Many lawyers do a certain amount of pro bono cases or hours per year, and yours could be considered. Many lawyers will also consider reduced rates, payment plans, or other affordable options. 
2. If you have been charged with a crime, and you can't afford an attorney, contact the Office of Public Defense for the State of Montana. Their contact information can be found here: http://publicdefender.mt.gov. 
3. If you need legal assistance that does not involve being charged with a crime, contact the Montana Legal Services Association. Their contact information can be found here: https://www.mtlsa.org.
4. If you are looking to represent yourself, but just need some guidance on getting started, the Montana Supreme Court website provides forms for many areas of the law here: https://courts.mt.gov/Forms.

If you have any further questions about legal representation, or representing yourself, please feel free to reach out to our office for additional guidance or a Free Consultation. 

-Jill

We've all found ourselves driving that bumpy dirt road in the mountains of Montana when we come across a sign that reads: "We don't call 911. Trespassers will be shot. Survivors will be shot again." Many Montanans have flippantly joked about this for decades. These days, as we watch the media scroll across our TV's and the Facebook posts fill our minds, these jokes don't seem too far off. Many people are wondering when they can legally protect themselves in the event of a threat of harm. Montana has several laws regarding "self-defense" or "justifiable use of force" and hopefully this post will provide you with some guidance on what the law allows.

I'm Being Attacked in Public: A person is justified in using force against another person when the person reasonably believes that the conduct is necessary for self-defense against an imminent use of unlawful force. In other words, if you believe you are going to be assaulted or hurt, you have a right to defend yourself using reasonable force. A person can only use force likely to cause death or serious bodily harm if the person believes that force is necessary to prevent imminent death or serious bodily harm. In other words, don't bring a gun to a fist fight. But if you believe your life is in danger or you are at risk of serious bodily harm, you have the right to protect yourself using the same force.
(Montana Code Annotated 45-3-102)

​I'm Being Attacked at Home: A person can use force against someone else when the person reasonably believes that the use of force is necessary to prevent another person's unlawful entry into an occupied structure. A person can only use force likely to cause death or serious bodily harm if the other person enters the structure and the force is necessary to prevent assault OR if force is necessary to prevent the commission of a forcible felony. In other words, if someone is going to break into your home while you are there, and threatens to harm you or your family, you have the right to protect yourself using reasonable force. 
(Montana Code Annotated 45-3-103)

Do I Have to Flee?: Montana law does NOT require a person being threatened to retreat, flee, or call the cops prior to using force. This is sometimes known as the "stand your ground" law. In other words, if someone is threatening your safety or your life, you have a right to defend yourself without first calling the police or running away.
(Montana Code Annotated 45-3-110)

So, what can you do to protect yourself from legal troubles in the event you have to use self-defense?

1. Be sure your danger of harm is present. In other words, you can only defend yourself from imminent threat of harm. If someone threatens future harm - you don't have a right to self-defense. 
2. Make sure you actually believe the threat is going to occur. Self-Defense cases are very fact-specific, and sometimes mistakes can happen. That is why the law requires "reasonable" belief the threat will occur. 
3. Don't use more force than necessary. The old saying "don't bring a knife to a gun fight" cuts both ways. While the law doesn't require you to utilize the same weapon as the person threatening you or your home, the law does rely heavily on "reasonableness", so make sure you are being reasonable. 
4. Don't try to hide your actions. If you find yourself in a situation where you have used force in self-defense, make sure someone has called law enforcement if necessary. Then, make sure you have an attorney guide you through the investigation.
5. Keep in Mind that you will likely have to defend yourself. Once self-defense is used, depending on the circumstances, a full investigation often ensues. You may find yourself being accused of a crime, and left with defending yourself using Montana's justifiable use of force laws. Once a person charged with using force makes a claim of self-defense, the burden shifts to the State to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that the use of force was not justified. A jury will look at every little fact and detail of the event and decide whether or not your force was justified. 
6. Don't be Unreasonable. As you can see, the law relies heavily on "reasonableness" when it comes to justified use of force. Don't do something that is blatantly unreasonable. 

- Jill 

I recently read an article that said kids (ages 8-18) spend an average of more than 7 hours a day looking at screens. Although the statistics aren't out yet, I would guess that amount has increased significantly with COVID-19 lockdowns. One of the things that comes to mind when I think of kids on a screen is the use of social media.

Sure, as parents we all know there are "risks" to using social media. We've seen the news articles where the young girl was contacted by the old man. We've heard stories about the "creepy" things that can happen with kids on social media.

But something that maybe only lawyer-Moms think about are the legal problems for our kids that can come from social media use.

First, let me just get something out of the way. Snapchat: it doesn't disappear. That is a ginormous lie that we have all been led to believe. Just like anything else on the internet, it's forever. Just because you aren't able to see the snap anymore, doesn't mean it hasn't stored somewhere for others to access (ie. law enforcement). If you're going to let your kid use Snapchat, have this conversation with them. If you know me personally, I'll prove it to them if they don't believe you. Snapchat is forever.

Second, let's talk about online bullying. Sure, we hear about bullying a lot these days. We've all been to the orientation where the school basically tells you that if your kid is bullying, they will be ousted. But something that is rarely discussed is online bullying, also known as cyber bullying. Cyber bullying could get your kid in some major trouble legally. Montana Code Annotated 45-5-221 covers Harassment, and Montana Code Annotated 45-8-213 covers Privacy in Communications. These laws could be used to charge your kid criminally if their bullying fits into the law. If you’re worried about what the school will do with bullies, imagine your kid getting charged criminally for their online talk. Also important to note, there have been cases where kids are criminally charged for encouragement of suicide via text or social media. The consequences are real, and parents should be aware.

Third, let's talk about sex. Remember the days when a boy might ask a girl at a high school bonfire to "flash" him? Yeah...those days are long gone. If that's all your kid is exposed to, you're doing great. You may already know all about the sexting that goes on with kids. If you don't think it's happening in your kid's school, think again. And sure, maybe some of it is harmless. But understand: asking for, sending, or receiving nude pictures of kids can get your kid in real trouble. Montana Code Annotated 45-5-625 covers this issue, and most of the time, kids (and parents) have no idea this is a crime. Not only does this expose your kid to a serious criminal charge, the charge is generally considered a "sex offense."

So, what can we do as parents to protect our kids from legal trouble with their phones, iPads, or social media? While I would love to tell you to keep it simple and prohibit all access to anything with access to the internet, we all know that is next to impossible (especially if you are partaking in "distance-learning"). Here are some tips that I hope you will be able to use and share with your kids:

1. Don't post, text, snap, or share anything that you wouldn't show to your Grandmother. This can be a good visual way to remind your kids of how to protect themselves. You want to send a snotty comment to your friend? Run it by Granny. You want to send a picture of your underwear to your boyfriend? Send it to Nana first. I don't know about you, but I don't think I'd want to send it anymore after picturing Grandma's face.
2. Don't provide your personal information, and this includes your location. This might seem obvious, but parents this one's on you. Check out the phone, iPad, or computer and make sure your kid isn't sharing things they don't intend to. Remember, Snapchat is forever. This includes location settings, location of where you took that picture, where you snapped it, all of it.
3. If you don't want every other kid in the school to see it, don't send it. I know, your kid trusts their friend. It's fine, they won't show anyone...until they do. This is something most parents didn't have to worry about. Back in our days, what happened at that high-school kegger was only to be shared with memories. Now, those pictures and posts are forever online. Kids have a hard time grasping long-term consequences, so it's up to us as parents to constantly remind them and help them understand that if they send something in 7th grade, there is a good chance their boss will find it when google searching them as an applicant for that dream job.
4. It's ok to show your parent, or trusted adult. This is along the lines of telling our kids that they will be in less trouble for telling the truth (even if what they did is really bad) than if they lie about it. The same goes for online behavior. Encourage your kid to show you something if they think it's weird, or even if they did something they wish they wouldn't have done. You might not want to see it, and you probably hope they aren't doing it. But trust me when I say, it is much easier to stop dangerous behavior and shut down the possibility of legal troubles if you can deal with the issue immediately. Let your kids know they can trust you to talk with you about their online interactions.
5. Be Kind. The best advice we can give to kids: be kind. If the kids can follow that advice, we won't have to worry one bit about legal troubles.

I hope this is helpful to parents navigating the online world with kids, especially when they are faced with more screen time than ever. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our office.

- Jill