Montana Title 7. Local Government § 7-1-4152. Municipal infractions--jurisdiction--appeal

(1) A municipal court judge or city court judge has jurisdiction to assess or enter judgment for costs of abatement or correction in any amount not to exceed the jurisdictional amount for a money judgment in a civil action pursuant to 3-11-103. If the municipality seeks abatement or correction costs in excess of that amount, the matter must be referred to the district court for hearing and entry of an appropriate order. The procedure for hearing in the district court shall be the same procedure as that for a small claims appealed under 25-35-803.

(2) The defendant or the municipality may file a motion for a new trial or may appeal the decision to district court. A factual determination made by the trial court, supported by substantial evidence as shown in the record, is binding for purposes of appeal relating to the violation at issue, but is not admissible or binding as to any future violations for the same or similar ordinance provision by the same defendant.

(3) Except for willful or wanton misconduct on the part of the municipality, the issuance of a civil citation for a municipal infraction or the ensuing court proceedings do not provide an action for false arrest, false imprisonment, or malicious prosecution.

(4) An action brought pursuant to this section for a municipal infraction that is an environmental violation does not preclude, and is in addition to, any other enforcement action that may be brought under state law.