Bozeman municipal court chief judge outlines rising jury caseload and treatment-court programs

Chief Judge Caroline Tierney delivered a State of the Court address to the Bozeman City Commission on March 11, summarizing municipal court caseloads, expanded treatment options and operational needs.

Tierney described the municipal court as a court of limited jurisdiction that handles misdemeanor criminal and traffic offenses that occur within Bozeman. She said the court’s common charges include DUIs, partner/family member assaults, theft, trespass and disorderly conduct; she clarified the court does not handle divorces or abuse-and-neglect matters, which are district court matters.

By the numbers and operations: Tierney said the court has two judges (herself and Judge Colleen Harrington), seven clerks, a chief clerk, and a treatment court coordinator with a case manager. She emphasized the administrative load on clerks — who handle in-court duties, filings, victim restitution distribution and interpreter coordination — and said recent months have seen an increase in non-English-speaking parties requiring interpreter services.

Jury trials and appeals: Tierney reported a notable increase in jury trials, with 11 trials to date in the fiscal year and 12 additional jury cases set through May. She said the new Bozeman Public Safety Center made simultaneous jury trials possible for the first time.

Treatment and diversion programs: Tierney highlighted two specialized courts. The Bridgers Treatment Court, launched in June 2024, serves high-risk individuals charged with repeat DUIs and is grant-funded (with local funding expected after the grant ends in FY2028); she said 14 participants were enrolled and several are expected to graduate this year. The Veterans Treatment Court, operating since 2018, accepts veterans with substance-use, mental-health or trauma-related issues; Tierney said it had five graduates in 2024. Tierney also described programs that help people charged with driving while suspended or no-insurance charges obtain valid insurance and licenses as diversionary measures that reduce referrals to public defenders and improve road safety.

Planned initiatives: Tierney said the court plans a Food-for-Fines pilot (allowing eligible defendants to donate food in lieu of fines in limited circumstances) and improvements to the court website and online forms to boost access and clarity for defendants and jurors.

Why it matters: Tierney told the commission that treatment courts and diversion programs can reduce incarceration, lower recidivism, and support participants’ employment and family stability while saving taxpayer dollars. Commissioners thanked the judges and asked how members of the public can observe court; Tierney said most hearings are open and encouraged attendance at treatment-court status hearings and graduations.

Ending: Tierney asked for the commission’s continued grant support for treatment courts and pledged to work with the city to improve online access and the Food-for-Fines pilot.