Bill dalton montana supreme court
Next month Montana Supreme Court two seats are up for election. A longtime member of the court, Jim Rice, is running for a third 8-year term against Billings trial lawyer Bill D’Alton for a seat on the state’s highest court.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!Since 2001 when Rice was appointed by the-Govt, then he has served on the state Supreme Court. Judy Martz. Prior to that, he had a private law practice and served three terms in the Montana House of Representatives from 1989 to 1994; He was House Majority Whip in 1993.
Rice said about his experience that he believes I have a reputation for listening to all sides, being very careful about the application of the law, and exercising the power of the courts.Bill dalton montana supreme court
Rice’s opponent in the race, Billings attorney Bill D’Alton, has practiced civil and criminal law in Montana for nearly 30 years. Seeing that Royce was running unopposed, he decided to join the race.
“I believe elections should be contested,” D’Alton said. “he thinks that it good and healthy for the people of Montana to have a choice.”
And it’s a choice that could have a big impact on the state’s future — Republican lawmakers have already asked the court to reconsider what’s known as the Armstrong precedent giving constitutional protection to abortion.Contact Us
Rice was part of a unanimous Supreme Court decision to uphold a district court’s ruling barring abortion from being carried out during a lawsuit between Montana and state Planned Parenthood.Bill dalton montana supreme court
Among other notable rulings this past year, Rice joined the justices in a unanimous decision that the state Board of Regents has the power to regulate firearms on school campuses. And he dissented when the court upheld state laws that ended same-day voter registration and banned some forms of ID at the polls.
D’Alton said she’s running to address her concerns about big government infringing on Montanans’ rights. D’Alton said also he disagrees with how the current Supreme Court views the role of government.
D’Alton said that he was concerned that when you, a citizen, sue the government, there are all these exceptions to why you can’t sue the government, from absolute immunity to qualified immunity for the public duty doctrine. “It seems to me that the Montana Supreme Court is bending over backward to put rights, what I call government rights, of which there are none, ahead of people’s rights.Bill dalton montana supreme court
Rice, meanwhile, has been outspoken about his concerns about the power struggle between Montana’s three branches of government. He made headlines in 2021 for filing and winning a lawsuit against the state legislature after lawmakers tried to petition for personal communications with the Supreme Court justice during the 2021 session.
“I felt they crossed a constitutional line. And that’s why I brought that case,” Rice said. rice thinks that ruling serves as a precedent and can be used in the future.
But D’Alton said Rice’s case has negatively affected the court’s reputation.
D’Alton said all the subpoena issues could have been avoided. “It was a political nightmare mess, it doesn’t help the credibility of the Montana Supreme Court, it doesn’t help the credibility of either party.”
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When asked what they see as the biggest challenges facing the court, both Rice and D’Alton pointed to political polarization at the national level — and in Montana. Rice says there is a national trend to weaken government institutions
The race between Rice and D’Alton hasn’t attracted the same national attention as other Supreme Court seats on the ballot: the race between Justices Ingrid Gustafson and James Brown has seen an influx of out of state financial contributions.
As of Oct. 17, Rice had received more than $56,000 in campaign contributions, almost all of which came from Montana. D’Alton, however, said he denied any campaign funding or endorsements.
Rice has served as a Republican in the House and has the support of the state GOP to run against D’Alton, but Montana is one of 17 states with nonpartisan judicial elections. Both candidates credit it with helping judges remain impartial.Bill dalton montana supreme court
“Every judge or ryone,” D’Alton said. Make a decision that is fair, that people understand that considers both sides’ arguments and is based on the Montana Constitution.Bill dalton montana supreme court
But nonpartisan elections mean voters can’t rely on a partisan label to know a candidate’s position on an issue, and Rice said it can do more to get voters to know their candidates.Bill dalton montana supreme court
I understand people are a little disappointed because we can’t take positions when we campaign, we don’t make promises. And that’s because judges are committed to the law, our oath and allegiance to the law, not to a set of political priorities,” he said.
The Nov. 8 election will essentially be a repeat of the June primary when only Rice and D’Alton were on the ballot — and Rice received three times more votes than D’Alton.
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