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Articles with the Tag: Courts

Montana Court blocks enforcement of ban on gender-affirming care for trans youth

News from ACLU Montana MISSOULA — A Montana state district court judge recently blocked enforcement of Senate Bill 99, the discriminatory law that threatens the health and well-being of Montana transgender youth by denying them access to the only evidence-based care for gender dysphoria. In his or...

Valley Views

The 2021 and 2023 sessions of Montana’s Legislature perpetrated a full-on war against Montana’s courts and judiciary. Dozens of anti-court/anti-judiciary bills were offered in these last two legislative sessions. The objective of these attacks? Demonize and marginalize Montana’s courts, ...

Man accused of murdering mother, concealing her body Man accused of murdering mother, concealing her body

POLSON — A Polson man is accused of stabbing his 86-year-old mother to death and then attempting to conceal her body in her home where her body remained for several days. Garrett Edward Vaska, 46, has been charged with deliberate homicide committed with a dangerous weapon and tampering with or fabri...

Ronan man admits to assault on peace officer Ronan man admits to assault on peace officer

A Ronan man admitted to assaulting a law enforcement officer and damaging a patrol car. Leroy Francis Toupe, 41, entered a plea of guilty to the amended charge of misdemeanor assault on a peace officer and felony criminal mischief at District Court in Polson on Sept. 7. The plea was entered as part of an agr...

Court issues preliminary injunction to prevent authorization of private schools

News from Rylee Sommers-Flanagan, Upper Seven Law HELENA — On Wednesday, Sept. 6, 2023, the First Judicial District issued a partial preliminary injunction to prevent enforcement of House Bill 562 (“HB 562”). The district court found that the bill likely violates separation of powers p...

Polson man pleads guilty to child endangerment

A Polson man admitted to charges of driving impaired when he rolled his vehicle with a child inside. Cory Robert Wetherelt, 22, entered a plea of guilty at District Court in Polson on Aug. 30 to felony criminal child endangerment. The plea was entered as part of a plea agreement that comes with a joint re...

Pablo man pleads guilty to strangulation

Judge Jessica Fehr set a sentencing date of Oct. 4 for a Pablo man who admitted to a strangulation charge. Jeffrey Allen Hemplemann entered a plea of guilty at District Court in Polson on Aug. 16, to strangulation of a partner or family member. The plea was entered as part of a plea agreement that calls for ...

Brooks sentenced to DOC for forgery, bail jumping Brooks sentenced to DOC for forgery, bail jumping

POLSON — A Polson man was committed at District Court in Polson on Aug. 16 to the Montana Department of Corrections for four years on a forgery charge. Dillon Ganuelas Brooks, 24, was also committed to the DOC for two years on a bail jumping charge. Visiting Judge Jessica Fehr of Yellowstone County pre...

Colon pleads guilty to endangerment following high speed chase Colon pleads guilty to endangerment following high speed chase

POLSON — A Missoula man admitted to endangering the lives of other motorists during a high-speed pursuit with law enforcement. Byron Joseph Colon, 31, pleaded guilty to felony criminal endangerment during a change of plea hearing at District Court in Polson on Aug 9. According to court records, on A...

Erickson sentenced for felony charges Erickson sentenced for felony charges

POLSON — A Polson man was sentenced in Polson District Court July 27 to the Montana State Prison for a total of 60 years on underlying felony charges of criminal mischief and threats and other improper influence in official and political matters. The sentence will run consecutive to a 26 year prison te...


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