46-13-401. Dismissal at instance of court or prosecution, MCA

Montana Code Annotated 2017

TITLE 46. CRIMINAL PROCEDURE

CHAPTER 13. PRETRIAL MOTIONS

Part 4. Motion for Dismissal

Dismissal At Instance Of Court Or Prosecution

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.