Montana Approves Rules for Community Justice Workers
Montana Supreme Court rules let trained non-attorney volunteers help people with housing, debt and protective order cases in county and city courts.
Updated on Nov. 14, 2026 in Criminal Justice
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The Montana Supreme Court unanimously approved rules establishing Community Justice Workers, non-attorney volunteers who will be trained to assist people in county justice courts and city courts. The request came from the Montana Legal Services Association.
Why it matters
People in civil legal matters do not have a constitutional right to an attorney, and finding one can be difficult and expensive. The program aims to address legal deserts across Montana, where legal services are not available.
The rules were approved in October 2026 and take effect in 2027, with training free of charge for participants. The first cohort's start date and ultimate capacity remain subject to program development.
The players
Montana Supreme Court
The Montana Supreme Court is the state's highest court, which approved the rules establishing the Community Justice Worker program.
Montana Legal Services Association
The Montana Legal Services Association is a nonprofit that provides civil legal aid to low-income Montanans and coordinates the program.
The details
Trained workers will fill out forms, submit documents and provide basic representation in court for housing, debt and protective order cases. The Montana Legal Services Association is developing the training curriculum with the State Bar of Montana collaborating on the program.
Timeline
October 2026: Montana Supreme Court issued the order approving the rules.
2027: Rules take effect allowing trained workers to assist in court.
January 2027: First cohort of Community Justice Workers begins training.
Spring 2027: First cohort could be ready to work in court.
Legal Context
Montana's program follows a broader national push to expand access to civil justice through non-attorney assistance in rural and underserved areas. It responds directly to the legal deserts the state has documented in areas where no legal services are available.
Montanans facing housing, debt or protective order cases in county or city courts may soon get free help filling out forms and basic court representation. The program will not require people to pay for an attorney to access these services.
The takeaway
Trained non-attorney volunteers could help close access gaps for Montanans who cannot afford or find a lawyer in civil cases. Readers with housing, debt or protective order questions should watch for when the program begins serving courts in 2027.
What happens next
The first cohort of Community Justice Workers begins training in January 2027, and the trained workers could be ready to work in court by spring 2027.
Further reading
Explore more Criminal Justice coverage from across Montana.
More information
Learn more about the Montana Legal Services Association program information on the organization's official website.
Source note: This article includes information reported by KTVH.
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