Oral Arguments
The majority of cases before the Montana Supreme Court are decided based upon the written briefs submitted by the parties for the Court's consideration. However, the Court may decide that a case requires further discussion, in addition to what the parties have argued in their written briefs. In such cases, the Court schedules specific dates and times to hear oral arguments in open session before the Court. Approximately 30 cases a year are scheduled for oral argument.
Oral arguments are tightly structured and timed. The counsel for the appellant (appealing party) is given a total of 40 minutes, and the respondent's counsel (party adverse to the appealing party) is allowed 30 minutes.
While this format allows the counsel brief opportunity to further develop their arguments, it also gives the Court an opportunity to ask questions of the attorneys on points which the Court needs clarification.
Finally, while the majority of oral arguments take place in the Montana Supreme Court Courtroom, located at 215 N. Sanders, Helena, Montana, the Court does schedule a few arguments to be heard in different cities around the Treasure State. All of the oral arguments are open to the public.
Click Here to view previous Oral Agruments
June 2009
DA 08-0307 - CATHERINE SATTERLEE, Petitioner and Appellee, v. LUMBERMSN'S MUTUAL CASUALTY COMPANY, Insurer for BUTTREY FOOD & DRUG, Employer and Appellee. --- James ZENAHLIK Petitioner and Appellant v. MONTANA STATE FUND, Insurer for EAGLE ELECTRIC, Employer and Appellee. --- JOSEPH FOSTER, Petitioner and Appellant v. MONTANA STATE FUND, Insurer for ALLEN ELECTRIC, Employer and Appellee.
ORAL ARGUMENT is set for Wednesday, June 10, 2009 at 10:00 a.m. in the Courtroom of the Montana Supreme Court, Justice Building, Helena, Montana.
DA 08-0399 - CARY ROHLFS and TERRA ROHLFS, Petitioner and Appellee, v. KLEMENHAGEN, LLC d/b/a STUMBLE INN, Defendants and Appellees.
ORAL ARGUMENT is set for Wednesday, June 10, 2009 at 2:00 p.m. in the Courtroom of the Montana Supreme Court, Justice Building, Helena, Montana.
OP 08-0430 STATE FARM FIRE AND CASUALTY COMPANY, Plaintiff, v. BUSH HOG, LLC, Defendant.
ORAL ARGUMENT is set for Wednesday, June 24, 2009, at 9:30a.m. in the Courtroom of the Montana Supreme Court, Helena, Montana.
DA 08-0337 STATE OF MONTANA, Plaintiff and Appellee, v. ERIC JOHN McCOLLOM, Defendant and Appellant.
ORAL ARGUMENT is set for Wednesday, June 24, 2009, at 1:30a.m. in the Courtroom of the Montana Supreme Court, Helena, Montana.
July 2009
DA 08-0543 - WILLIAM H. WALTON and THEODORA D. WALTON, husband and wife, Plaintiffs and Appellees, v. CITY OF WHITEFISH, Defendant and Appellant.
ORAL ARGUMENT is set for Thursday, July 9, 2009, at 1:30 p.m. in the Courtroom of the Montana Supreme Court, Helena, Montana. Appellant granted 25 minutes for argument and Appellees are granted 20 minutes for argument.
