Montana Title 5. Legislative Branch § 5-5-418. Counsel may be appointed

(1) If the defendant appears and is unable to procure the assistance of counsel, it is the duty of the president of the senate to appoint some suitable person to assist the defendant in a defense.

(2) If the defendant is served by publication and fails to appear, it is the duty of the president of the senate to appoint some person or counsel to appear in behalf of the defendant and to make a defense.