Justice Court
Office Hours
Monday – Friday
8:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Physical Address
1308 Franklin Street
Fort Benton, MT 59442
(located in basement)
Mailing Address
P.O. Box 459
Fort Benton, MT 59442
About the Office
The Chouteau County Justice Court handles a variety of legal matters at the local level, including misdemeanor offenses, small claims, civil cases, and traffic violations. The court is committed to providing fair, accessible, and efficient service to the public.
Responsibilities
The Justice Court handles:
Civil cases involving claims up to $15,000
Small claims cases up to $7,000
Misdemeanor criminal cases
Traffic citations and violations
Landlord–tenant disputes
Orders of protection
Preliminary hearings in certain cases
The court may also share jurisdiction with District Court in some misdemeanor matters.
Important Information
Court staff are here to assist you and provide general information about court procedures. However, there are limits to the assistance we can provide.
We CAN:
Provide general information about court processes and procedures
Answer basic questions about court forms and filings
Provide public case information
Direct you to legal resources and service programs
Review forms for completeness (such as signatures and required fields)
We CANNOT:
Provide legal advice
Explain how the law applies to your specific case
Recommend attorneys or legal strategies
Fill out forms for you (except in limited circumstances)
Speak to the judge on your behalf or influence a case
Modify court orders
If you need legal advice, you should contact an attorney.