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The ACLU of Montana, working with the Montana Association of Counties, the Montana League of Cities and Towns, and the Montana County Attorneys Association, is filing a lawsuit today about the effective date of CI-116, also known as Marsy’s Law. The Montana Constitution, in Article XIV, Section 9(3), requires that changes to our Constitution approved by ballot initiative go into effect on July 1, 2017, unless the amendment provides otherwise. The ACLU, MCAA, MLCT, and MACo are arguing that the Attorney General’s ballot summary incorrectly stated the initiative would become effective immediately. On November 28, a majority of the Board of Canvassers met, and pursuant to their statutory obligations, declared that the effective date of CI-116 is July 1, 2017. The Secretary of State improperly rejected their decision, contrary to Montana law. On November 30, the Secretary of State again rejected the Board’s decision about the effective date, and has set a third meeting for December 5. Because we have no reason to believe the Secretary will change her position, we have moved forward with a petition directly to the Montana Supreme Court. Marsy’s Law mandates a dramatic reinterpretation of how the criminal justice system in Montana functions. Among other issues, it defines the victim of a crime expansively.  It includes the actual victim that suffers direct or threatened physical,

The movement against the Dakota Access Pipeline or, on social media #NoDAPL, has been a Native-led, organized effort. Indigenous activists, lawyers, and media have taken to social media so make people aware of the civil rights violations happening under the watchful eye of the North Dakota Governor and the Morton County Police Department.Although #NoDAPL is miles away in another state, Montanans feel very passionate in showing solidarity with them. Here are a few events that ACLU of Montana has been involved in:In October, in partnership with The Montana Racial Equity Project based in Bozeman, we organized “Montana Stands with Standing Rock,” an event at the Headwaters of the Missouri River. Indigenous leaders prayed and blessed the headwaters and Indigenous activists and community le

Two years ago today, marriage equality was recognized in Montana. The ACLU of Montana couldn’t be more proud to have brought the lawsuit, Rolando vs State of Montana, that was a part of the fight for marriage equality, but the real heroes are the plaintiffs in the case.

“Marsy’s Law” threatens Montana’s overburdened criminal justice system

HELENA, Mont. – The ACLU of Montana is gratified that voters in Montana have passed ballot initiative I-182, allowing a single treating physician to prescribe medical marijuana for patients diagnosed with chronic pain and post-traumatic stress disorder. I-182 also repeals the three-patient limit for each licensed provider.

The movement against the Dakota Access Pipeline or, on social media #NoDAPL, has been a Native-led, organized effort. Indigenous activists, lawyers, and media have taken to social media so make people aware of the civil rights violations happening under the watchful eye of the North Dakota Governor and the Morton County Police Department.Although #NoDAPL is miles away in another state, Montanans feel very passionate in showing solidarity with them. Here are a few events that ACLU of Montana has been involved in:In October, in partnership with The Montana Racial Equity Project based in Bozeman, we organized “Montana Stands with Standing Rock,” an event at the Headwaters of the Missouri River. Indigenous leaders prayed and blessed the headwaters and Indigenous activists and community le

The ACLU of Montana opposes CI-116 (“Marsy’s Law”) as unconstitutional and a massive impediment to the workings of the already overburdened criminal justice system in Montana.

Statement from Caitlin Borgmann, Executive Director of the ACLU of Montana: