About 3,600 jury summons questionnaires sent from Gallatin County District Court have yet to be returned and officials are urging residents who received these questionnaires to complete them and send them in.
In early May, Gallatin County District Court sent out 9,600 initial notices to residents who were randomly selected to be in the District Court July pool. The term runs from July 1, 2023 through June 30, 2024. These are not a summons for a specific trial, but simply a notification that these residents could be called to jury duty anytime during that term.
Gallatin County District Court handles criminal cases (primarily felonies), civil matters in excess of $12,000 in damages, domestic relations, juvenile, probate, mental health, water cases, and appeals from Justice Court, Municipal Court and administrative agencies.
Residents who received this notice were required to respond to the questionnaire within 10 days. They were provided options to receive paper or digital copies of the questionnaire to fill out.
As of this week, approximately 3,600 questionnaires have gone unreturned.
When a questionnaire is not returned, a Gallatin County Sheriff’s Office deputy is required to personally serve these to get them completed. Sheriff’s deputies have already begun that process.
However, you can help by submitting your unreturned questionnaire as soon as possible.
Gallatin County Sheriff Dan Springer said that our community’s service expectations continue to increase and his deputies’ limited resources are focused on meeting those needs.
“We need your help in performing your civic duty by filling out your questionnaire so we don’t have to use those resources to physically serve these on you,” Springer said.
Gallatin County Attorney Audrey Cromwell said that trial by jury is a fundamental constitutional right for all of us.
“Your participation as a juror ensures your neighbor’s right to a jury trial is protected,” Cromwell said. “I cannot overstate how important it is to return your jury questionnaire so that our judges can hold trials and we can continue to keep our community as safe as possible.”
If you received a postcard, please follow the directions to complete the questionnaire.
If you are unsure of whether you received a postcard, or you need your juror number, please email gallatindcjury@mt.gov or call 406-582-3670.
HELENA — The Continental Divide Trail Coalition (CDTC) will visit Montana communities along the Continental Divide National Scenic Trail (CDT) in late September. The community-centered tour will consist of events to support communities in the northern portion of the Continental Divide landscape.
The events will take place in official CDT Gateway Communities and encourage businesses to learn more about the potential benefit of their proximity to the world-renowned National Scenic Trail. Events are scheduled from September 25 - 29.
CDTC provides support through the Gateway Community program for towns and counties that promote awareness and stewardship of the 3,100-mile-long trail. These communities are also known for creating a welcoming environment for CDT travelers. Montana currently has four designated CDT Gateway Communities– Lincoln, Anaconda, Butte, and Helena.
“Trail towns and Gateway Communities are a rich part of the Continental Divide experience,” said Liz Schmit, the CDTC Community and Outreach Program manager who is spearheading the tour.
“Our goal is to provide support for these communities and to work together to promote all the CDT has to offer,” Schmit added.
As part of the tour, CDTC will host Small Business Roundtable events in Helena and Butte. The Helena Roundtable will take place on Tuesday, September 26 from 4:30 - 6:00 PM at 10 Mile Creek Brewery. The Butte Roundtable will take place on Thursday, September 28 from 6:00 - 7:00 PM at Butte Brewery.
Participants at each roundtable will learn about the Continental Divide Trail and the CDTC Small Business Program. The program is designed to help local businesses embrace and benefit from their proximity to the Continental Divide Trail. CDTC will be providing food at each event and there will be discounts on attendees’ first beverage.
On Wednesday, September 27 from 5:30 - 7:00 PM, the CDTC will be hosting an evening of discussions about outdoor recreation in Anaconda in collaboration with the Anaconda Trail Society, Discover Anaconda, and Pintler’s Portal Hostel. The event will include presentations about recreation as an economic driver, building a healthy outdoor community, and Continental Divide Trail Gateway Communities. Complimentary food will be provided from Jordi’s Cantina.
The CDTC is also conducting a Small Business Survey in communities along the Continental Divide Trail from September 17 to November 17.
For more information, visit continentaldividetrail.org/small-business-survey or contact Liz Schmit: lschmit@continentaldividetrail.org, 708-738-3469.
###
About the Continental Divide Trail
Established by Congress in 1978, the Continental Divide National Scenic Trail (CDT) is one of the world’s premier long-distance hiking trails, stretching 3,100 miles from Mexico to Canada along the Continental Divide. The CDT is the highest, most challenging, and most remote of the United States’ 11 National Scenic Trails. Thousands of visitors enjoy outdoor recreation activities on the CDT each year.
About the Continental Divide Trail Coalition
Founded in 2012, the mission of the Continental Divide Trail Coalition is to complete, promote, and protect the Continental Divide National Scenic Trail. The CDTC will do this by building a strong and diverse trail community, providing up-to-date information to the public, and encouraging conservation and stewardship of the trail, its corridor, and surrounding landscapes.
News Comments
This is so typical of a sign in, which we should not have to do to check if we or some one in our party got a permit. I have been working or "creating an account" for 30 minutes and just get the same ...
Smith River permit drawing results available
Sunday, Mar. 10, 2024
I have struggled with this podcast and my own participation therein, the event itself obviously traumatic, but beyond that my inability to reach anyone and convey anything resembling truth. The person ...
Billings, MT Case Becomes True Crime Podcast | 'An Absurd Result'
Marktokarski
Saturday, Jan. 20, 2024
Why not leave those cheerful, colorful garlands up longer? What’s the rush?
Main Street Closed Jan 2
Saturday, Dec. 30, 2023
You do not have the authority to determine what may or may not be sensitive lands! This is an example of extreme overreach on your part.
City of Bozeman, Gallatin County Adopt Sensitive Lands Protection Plan
Friday, Dec. 22, 2023