Think of it as a ladder. Small charges stay low, and big ones climb:

• Justice Court sits on the lowest step, countywide. Traffic offenses, fishing and hunting violations and petty theft land here. Its limit is crimes carrying no more than 6 months or $500, and it splits bigger misdemeanors with the district court (MCA 3-10-303).
• Harlowton City Court takes town ordinance violations and state misdemeanors within city limits (MCA 3-11-103). One judge and one clerk's office serve both it and Justice Court.
• District Court is the top rung for crimes. Any charge that could mean over a year in state prison is a felony and belongs there (MCA 45-2-101).
• Youth Court, inside District Court, takes cases for minors under 18.

Felonies, too, usually start at that lowest step. The first appearance, plus any preliminary hearing, takes place in Justice Court before the file moves up.

One building holds most of what you'll need. Watch the floor numbers:

• Justice Court and Harlowton City Court, third floor, 201 A Avenue NW, Harlowton, MT 59036, 406-632-4821. Mail to P.O. Box 524, Harlowton, MT 59036. Tuesdays and Thursdays, 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., with federal holidays off.
• Clerk of District Court, also on the third floor, 406-632-4893, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Mail to P.O. Box 227, Harlowton, MT 59036.
• County Attorney, a floor below on the second level, 406-632-5651.
• District judge's chambers, 506 Main Street, Roundup, MT 59072, 406-323-1701. That single judge rides circuit for Golden Valley, Meagher, Musselshell and Wheatland.

Harlowton does. Its city judge is the county's justice of the peace, who holds city court in the third-floor Justice Court office. Cases include broken town ordinances and state crimes committed in town. To reach the clerk or ask about a new court date, call 406-632-4821.

Dress well. The town's court page calls for "proper, semi-professional attire." City court fines and bonds can also be paid through CitePay, as our bail page describes.

Judith Gap is the only other incorporated town. The state court locator for this district shows no Judith Gap city court. If a case started there, phone the Sheriff's Office at 406-632-5614 to learn which court has it.

After an arrest, Montana law demands a hearing "without unnecessary delay" (MCA 46-7-101). Locally, deputies bring people to the nearest available judge when court is in session, and a video link from the jail is fine. Expect the judge to go over six things (MCA 46-7-102):

• the exact charges
• their right to counsel, free of charge for anyone too poor to hire one
• the general ways to be let out before trial
• their choice to say nothing, since anything said can come up at trial
• possible loss of gun rights if convicted
• for a felony complaint, a right to ask whether there's enough evidence to go on

Bail gets settled during this hearing too (MCA 46-9-109).

Deputies, troopers, game wardens, livestock officers and motor carrier officers all write tickets into this court. The County Attorney files here as well. A typical ticket goes like this:

• The court date printed on it usually falls within about 10 days.
• "Must appear" or "mandatory" on the ticket means showing up in person, no later than that date.
• Plead not guilty and the court will book an omnibus hearing, often six to eight weeks out.
• If jail is on the table and you can't afford counsel, ask for a public defender form at the Justice Court window.

Watch for scams. The court says Montana's motor vehicle division never texts people demanding money for unpaid tickets or toll fees.

Prosecutors bring most local misdemeanors in Justice Court. Both the defense and the County Attorney have a right to six jurors (MCA 46-17-201). The trial clock runs 6 months from the plea. If it runs out, the judge must dismiss the case, except when the defense sought the delay or good cause exists (MCA 46-13-401).

Common penalties:

• DUI, first offense: at least 24 hours and as long as 6 months behind bars, with fines of $600 to $1,000 (MCA 61-8-1007)
• Theft of $1,500 or less: a $1,500 fine, 6 months, or both (MCA 45-6-301)
• Assault on a partner or relative, first conviction: a $100 to $1,000 fine and a jail term of 24 hours up to a year (MCA 45-5-206)
• Other misdemeanors with no special penalty: 6 months, $500, or both (MCA 46-18-212)

A deferred sentence is possible on a misdemeanor, lasting up to a year. Stick to its terms and the judge can later toss the charge out (MCA 46-18-204). The Justice Court page also points to Montana's 24/7 Sobriety Program, used here.

Here is the usual path, from arrest to sentence:

1. First appearance. The justice of the peace reads the rights and sets bail.
2. Charging. The justice of the peace may weigh the evidence first, at a preliminary hearing. Prosecutors can also skip that step. They hand the district judge a sworn statement of the facts, and if it shows probable cause, the judge lets them file an "information," the formal felony charge (MCA 46-11-201).
3. Arraignment. Before the district judge, they answer the charge with a plea (MCA 46-12-201).
4. Trial. A felony jury has 12 members unless both sides give written consent to waive it (MCA 46-16-110). All 12 must agree.
5. Sentencing. This follows a plea deal or a guilty finding.

The fallback felony maximum is 10 years and $50,000 (MCA 46-18-213). Felony theft, above $1,500, tops out there too. Possession of dangerous drugs caps at 5 years, but first-timers are presumed to get a deferred sentence (MCA 45-9-102).

Yes. Expect stricter treatment at each step:

• Bail. A flat refusal of bail is reserved for capital cases where guilt looks clear. Still, a person can be kept in custody when no conditions would protect others (MCA 46-9-106).
• Family violence. Charges of beating or strangling a spouse, partner or family member keep the accused locked up until the judge sees them. A third partner assault is a felony, punishable by as many as 5 years (MCA 45-5-206).
• GPS monitoring. Where a monitor is on hand, judges are expected to strap one on in felony stalking or felony partner assault (MCA 46-9-108).
• Victim alerts. Staff must warn the alleged victim fast whenever one of those defendants walks out.
• Repeat felons. Deferral is off the table on a new felony for anyone already convicted of one (MCA 46-18-201).

Recent jail rosters list charges like aggravated assault, arson and criminal endangerment, with cash-only bonds as high as $1,000,000.

The County Attorney handles prosecution, both for felonies and for the misdemeanors brought in Justice Court. You'll find it on the courthouse's second floor at 201 A Avenue NW, Harlowton, MT 59036, or call 406-632-5651.

Defense for people without money comes from the Office of State Public Defender. A judge appoints one if jail is possible and the person meets the money test. Felonies, jailable misdemeanors and youth cases are covered (MCA 47-1-111).

• Paper forms: the Justice Court window, 406-632-4821
• Online: the state public defender application
• Regional office: 505 W. Main St, Lewistown, MT 59457, 406-535-3703

The court reviews and approves each appointment.

Montana's judicial branch runs a pair of free search sites. Search by a person's name or by docket number:

• For Justice Court and Harlowton City Court matters, open the limited jurisdiction portal.
• For felony matters, open the District Court portal.

You won't see youth cases or sealed cases there. No hits? Phone the court itself. Justice Court and Harlowton City Court dates: 406-632-4821, Tuesday or Thursday. Felony dates: the district clerk at 406-632-4893. Have their legal name and birth date ready. Warrant case numbers printed on the jail roster can speed up the clerk's search.

Justice Court posts a list of rules, and anyone coming in may be searched. Leave these out of the courtroom:

• any weapon
• drugs or alcohol
• backpacks or sports bags
• tobacco, food or chewing gum

Only water may go in an open cup; other drinks need a lid. Switch off phones and devices, and take off hats. For city court, Harlowton asks for semi-professional clothing. Come early, because this court only meets a few hours, twice a week.

Sheriff's deputies serve warrants across the county. Harlowton contracts with the Sheriff for policing. For Harlowton, Judith Gap or any rural spot, ask about a warrant by calling the Sheriff's Office at 406-632-5614. Two free state sites, the limited jurisdiction court search and the district court search, may list an open case. The state offender search flags escapees and parole or probation absconders the state wants back. Before you clear a warrant, call a lawyer. After that, surrender at 203 A Avenue NW, Harlowton, MT 59036, or phone the issuing court about a new hearing: Justice Court at 406-632-4821 or the district clerk at 406-632-4893.

Billings is the hub. Any federal charge filed against someone from this area goes before the Billings Division of the U.S. District Court for the District of Montana. The clerk's office is at 2601 2nd Avenue North, Suite 1200, Billings, MT 59101, 406-247-7000, weekdays from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

• Jail or home before trial gets decided at a detention hearing on the first federal court date (18 U.S.C. 3142).
• Federal prisoners ride to hearings with the U.S. Marshals Service. Its office is at 2601 2nd Avenue North, Suite 2300, Billings, MT 59101, 406-200-6004.
• Officers with U.S. Probation and Pretrial Services check each defendant's background for the judge, from 2601 2nd Avenue North, Suite 1300, Billings, MT 59101, 406-657-6287.
• Read filings on PACER. Once someone is sentenced, try the Federal Bureau of Prisons inmate locator.

The Montana case itself keeps moving. The change comes at release. Using Form I-247A, immigration officers may ask for a hold up to 48 hours after they would otherwise be released, giving agents time to arrive (8 CFR 287.7(d)).

1. Under state law, the deputy holding the detainer arrests on it and tells the person what it is (MCA 27-16-801).
2. Solid papers proving U.S. citizenship or lawful presence end the hold.
3. Since 2025, during any lawful stop, an officer is allowed to look into whether the person is lawfully present (MCA 46-5-401).
4. Montana is handled from ICE's Salt Lake City office: 2975 Decker Lake Drive, Suite 100, West Valley City, UT 84119, 801-736-1200. Wheatland belongs to the Billings check-in office, 2900 4th Avenue, Suite 205, Billings, MT 59101, 406-247-4083.
5. After ICE takes custody, search the ICE Online Detainee Locator.

State prison time is run by the Montana Department of Corrections. Right after sentencing, most people wait in a county jail for a state review. Later they may be sent to a prison, a prerelease program or treatment. The Harlowton jail's own rosters have listed holds for state corrections and for Probation and Parole.

• Track someone's status with the Montana offender search.
• Each facility has an entry in our Montana prisons directory.
• Parole decisions are made by Montana's Board of Pardons and Parole, 1002 Hollenbeck Road, Deer Lodge, MT 59722, 406-846-1404.

Under-18 cases go to Youth Court, with the district judge in charge (MCA 41-5-203). You won't find them on the public portals. A teen who must be locked up is taken to the Yellowstone County Youth Services Center, 410 South 26th Street, Billings, MT 59101, 406-256-6825.

• A judge must review a detained teen's case for probable cause within 24 hours. Do not count weekends or legal holidays (MCA 41-5-332).
• Over a handful of very grave crimes, prosecutors may ask that a youth 12 or older be tried in District Court as an adult (MCA 41-5-206).
• Montana law bars state prison for anyone under 16.

Juvenile probation for the district, 406-323-1714, can tell parents which facility has the teen and the court time.

Your first call is the County Attorney's Office, 406-632-5651, on the second floor of 201 A Avenue NW, Harlowton, MT 59036. Ask how they will keep you posted.

• Victims of felonies, and of misdemeanors that caused harm or fear of harm, are heard first. Before the prosecutor drops a case, makes a deal or agrees to let the accused out, the victim is consulted (MCA 46-24-104).
• Jail staff must notify you when the accused gets out on a partner assault, strangling, stalking or protective order charge (MCA 46-9-108).
• VINE sends free notices when a state felony offender's custody changes. Sign up through VINELink or at 800-456-3076.
• The state can repay up to $25,000 in crime-related costs through victim compensation, 800-498-6455.