Frequently Asked Questions

No. The City Attorney represents the State of Montana’s interests in criminal prosecutions within the City Limits of Great Falls and represents the City of Great Falls and its various divisions in legal matters. Any requests for legal advice should be directed to attorneys in the community and/or Cascade County Law Clinic. Contact information for private attorneys can be found in the telephone directory under Attorneys.

You have 3 options once you have been charged with a traffic or criminal offense:

1. You may plead “not guilty” – this sets the matter for trial. This plea must be made to the Municipal Court Judge.
2. You may plead “guilty” – sentence will be imposed either in the form of a fine, jail or both. The fine and/or jail is set by statute. This plea must be made to the Municipal Court Judge.
3. You may qualify for a deferred prosecution agreement on traffic offenses. This is an informal probation agreement you may enter into with the prosecutor where trial is deferred for the term of the agreement. This is not a guilty plea and the charge will not affect your permanent driving record should you comply with all terms of the agreement. A fee is required for this agreement, which is usually equal to, but may be greater than, the standard fine amount. You may inquire as to whether you qualify for a deferred prosecution agreement by coming into the City Prosecutor’s Office in Room 101 of the Civic Center. An appointment with the City Prosecutor is not necessary. Legal staff in the office will assist you. There is no guarantee that a deferred prosecution agreement will be offered. All fees must be paid in full at the time the agreement is executed.  City Prosecutor's Office can only accept cash, check or money order.

If you believe that you need to speak to a City Prosecutor regarding your charges, you may contact the City Prosecutor during open court Tuesday through Friday at the following times:

• Monday - DUI's only - check in time is 10:00 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.
• Tuesday – Check-in for open court is from 1:00 p.m. to 1:30 p.m.; Juvenile session 3:00 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.
• Wednesday through Friday – check in for open court is from 9:00 a.m. to 9:30 a.m.

A victim may sign an affidavit requesting that the charges be dismissed which is available from the  City Prosecutor’s Office in Room 101 in the Civic Center. The affidavit must contain a detailed explanation of the reasons for the request. It is advised that any victim speak to Victim Witness Assistance Services prior to requesting that charges be dismissed.  Any dismissal will be based on consideration of all relevant evidence and there is no guarantee that the charges will be dismissed simply because a request has been submitted.

First, please call the number listed on your subpoena to verify you are still expected to testify, as court appearances are often rescheduled for various reasons. If the matter is still proceeding, please come to the Civic Center, #2 Park Drive South, enter through the Southeast doors and check in at the Municipal Court window in the basement of the Civic Center.

The pre-trial/omnibus hearing listed on the Defendant’s court-issued notice of trial is a Defendant’s opportunity to meet with the prosecutor to resolve any matters pertinent to trial. Failure to attend an omnibus/pre-trial hearing may result in certain rights being waived at the time of trial.