Court

The Belgrade Municipal Court Judiciary

The City court is staffed by a City Judge, a panel of judges pro temps, a Municipal Chief Clerk, and two Associate Court Clerks. Each year the Belgrade Municipal Court processes approximately 2000 traffic, misdemeanor, city ordinance, and civil cases.

The Belgrade Municipal Court is an independent branch of government constitutionally entrusted with the fair and just resolution of disputes. The Court works diligently to efficiently and effectively accomplish the duties of the Belgrade City Charter, the laws and Constitutions of the State of Montana and the United States.

Belgrade Municipal Court General Schedule

DayTime
Monday

1:30 pm
Initial appearances, arraignments, and warrants

Tuesday

8:30 am
Initial appearances, arraignments, and warrants

Wednesday

8:15 am
Jury trials

Thursday

8:30 am

Omnibus Hearings

Friday

9 am
Bench Trials

In Custody Defendants

Generally, the judge sees in-custody defendants by video appearance the next business date after their arrest at 3:00 pm (This is subject to change).


Time Payments

General Information

If you do not know the payment amount, call the court.

If paying by check or money order, make the check payable to Belgrade Municipal Court.

Write the name of the person whose account you are making a payment on the memo line. It is helpful to include the ticket or case number.

Payment Methods

In person
You may pay by cash, check, or money order at the large city window (across from the court). Card payments can be processed at the city window. There is a service fee for all credit card payments. 

By mail
You may mail a check or money order for your payment to the court. Do not mail cash.

Online
You may make an online payment for certain types of payments. You will be charged a convenience fee to use this service. You will need your date of birth, and your ticket or case number. If you do not know the ticket or case number, please call the court. Visit the CitePayUSA website to make online payments.

Civil Actions

The Belgrade Municipal Court has jurisdiction over claims for money damages up to $9,500.

The Municipal Court has jurisdiction over Landlord Tenant claims under M.C.A ___________

The rules of civil procedure for Montana city courts are found in Title 25, Chapters 23 and 24 of the Montana Code.

Under Montana law, these rules are to be interpreted to promote just, speedy, and inexpensive determination of civil actions.

Fees, including a $50 filing fee for plaintiffs and a $30 answer fee for defendants, apply to civil suits.

Most cases will be referred to trained volunteer mediators to explore the possibility of pre-trial settlement prior to the Court setting a trial date. Mediation of this kind typically achieves success rates of 70% or greater without trial.

Civil forms for municipal court can be found at the Montana Judicial Branch website by selecting "Forms"; then "Civil Court Forms"; and then the "Limited Jurisdiction" menu items.