46-13-401. Dismissal at instance of court or prosecution. (1) The court may, either on its own motion or upon the application of the prosecuting attorney and in furtherance of justice, order a complaint, information, or indictment to be dismissed. However, the court may not order a dismissal of a complaint, information, or indictment, or a count contained in a complaint, information, or indictment, charging a felony, unless good cause for dismissal is shown and the reasons for the dismissal are set forth in an order entered upon the minutes.
     (2) After the entry of a plea upon a misdemeanor charge, the court, unless good cause to the contrary is shown, shall order the prosecution to be dismissed, with prejudice, if a defendant whose trial has not been postponed upon the defendant's motion is not brought to trial within 6 months.

     History: En. 95-1703 by Sec. 1, Ch. 196, L. 1967; amd. Sec. 1, Ch. 173, L. 1971; R.C.M. 1947, 95-1703; amd. Sec. 3, Ch. 606, L. 1985; amd. Sec. 178, Ch. 800, L. 1991; Sec. 46-13-201, MCA 1989; redes. 46-13-401 by Code Commissioner, 1991.